- Published on 1970
- Author: Lennon/McCartney
- Track 2 on “Let It Be“
Table of Contents
Lennon’s quotes about “Dig A Pony”
JOHN 1972: “I was just having fun with words. It was literally a nonsense song. You just take words and you stick them together, and you see if they have any meaning. Some of them do and some of them don’t.”
JOHN 1980: “Another piece of garbage.”
About “Dig A Pony”
“Dig A Pony” from The Beatles’ 1970 album Let It Be, was written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The band recorded the song on 30 January 1969, during their rooftop concert at the Apple Corps building on Savile Row in central London.
It was written for Lennon’s soon-to-be wife Yoko Ono, and features a multitude of strange, seemingly nonsensical phrases strung together in what Lennon referred to as a Bob Dylan style of lyric.
In author Ian MacDonald’s description, the lyrics “celebrate countercultural claims that society’s old values and taboos were dead, that life was a game and art a free-for-all, and (especially) that words meant whatever the hell one wished them to”.
“Dig a Pony” was among the first songs the Beatles worked on during day one of their filmed rehearsals for a planned return to live performance, in January 1969. Lennon introduced it to George Harrison soon after arriving at Twickenham Film Studios on 2 January, as the pair ran through their latest songs.
Meaning of “Dig A Pony”
The lyrics of “Dig a Pony” are known for their cryptic and abstract nature. The song is often interpreted as a collection of surreal and non-sequitur imagery, with no clear narrative or storyline. This abstract quality is characteristic of Lennon’s songwriting style during this period.
Some have suggested that the title and lyrics of “Dig a Pony” may not have a specific, concrete meaning and could be more about the sound and feel of the words and phrases.
It’s important to note that John Lennon himself has stated that the song was written during a time when he was exploring wordplay and not necessarily trying to convey a specific message.
Ultimately, the meaning of “Dig a Pony” remains open to interpretation, and listeners may find their own personal meaning or connection to the song based on their own experiences and perspectives.
Personnel
The Beatles
- John Lennon – lead vocal, rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney – harmony vocal, bass guitar
- George Harrison – lead guitar
- Ringo Starr – drums
Additional musician
- Billy Preston – electric piano
How to play “Dig A Pony” on guitar
The guitar work in “Dig a Pony,” is quite distinctive and characteristic of the band’s style during their later years. The track features both John Lennon and George Harrison on guitars. The guitar parts in the song consist of rhythmic strumming patterns that provide a driving force to the song, a steady groove throughout the track, complementing the song’s relaxed yet energetic vibe. The combination of Lennon and Harrison’s guitar work creates a solid foundation for the song, allowing the vocals and other instruments to weave in and out seamlessly.
The following videos show how to play Lennon’s and Harrison’s guitar parts of “Dig A Pony”:
How to play “Dig A Pony” on bass
The bass on “Dig A Pony” is distinct and adds a solid foundation to the song.
Paul McCartney’s bass line on this track is distinctive as at some important moments in the song it plays in unison with Lennon and Harrison’s guitar parts, contributing to the overall groove of “Dig A Pony”. It is a prominent element that complements the guitar and drums, creating a rich sonic texture. McCartney was known for his innovative bass playing and on “Dig A Pony” his bass line helps carry the song forward while providing a melodic hook.
The following video features bassline with tab of “Dig A Pony”:
“Dig A Pony” karaoke
For those who want to try singing “Dig A Pony”, the next video features the karaoke version of the song:
