“Her Majesty”

• Published on 1969
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 17 on “Abbey Road”

PAUL 1969: “That was just… I don’t know. I was in Scotland, and I was just writing this little tune. I can never tell, like, how tunes come out. I just wrote it as a joke.”

About “Her Majesty”

Written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney, it is a brief tongue-in-cheek music hall song. Although credited to the band, McCartney is the only Beatle to appear on the track. “Her Majesty” is the final cut on Abbey Road and appears 14 seconds after the previous song “The End”, but was not listed on the original sleeve. Some observers consider it the first example of a hidden track.

Interestingly, “Her Majesty” was initially intended to be a part of the longer suite of songs that conclude the Abbey Road album. However, during the editing process, McCartney decided to have it removed. Instead of discarding the snippet entirely, producer George Martin added it to the end of the album as a hidden track, creating a surprise for listeners. This decision added to the song’s quirky and unexpected charm.

The song was recorded in three takes on 2 July 1969, prior to the Beatles beginning work on “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight”. McCartney sang and simultaneously played a fingerstyle acoustic guitar accompaniment. The decision to exclude it from the Abbey Road medley was made on 30 July. It runs only 23 seconds, but the Beatles also recorded a longer version during the Get Back sessions.

Meaning of “Her Majesty”

The song’s meaning is relatively straightforward. “Her Majesty” is a brief, cheeky ode to the British monarchy, specifically Queen Elizabeth II at the time. It employs a playful and irreverent tone, suggesting a casual affection for the Queen.

The lyrics reflect a playful admiration for Her Majesty, with McCartney singing about wanting to “tell her about the love [he’s] found” and his desire to “make her a part of [his] world.” The tone is light and slightly tongue-in-cheek, reflecting the Beatles’ penchant for incorporating humor and wit into their music.

In summary, “Her Majesty” can be seen as a playful, good-natured tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, showcasing McCartney’s whimsical songwriting style. Its unconventional placement on the album also contributes to its unique character within the Beatles’ discography.

Personnel

• Paul McCartney – lead vocals, acoustic guitar