Alexander based the song's lyrics on the early days of his relationship with his girlfriend (and later wife) Ann, and how her former boyfriend, who hailed from a wealthy family, attempted to win her back.

[3] Alexander's biographer, Richard Younger, notes that, "Though it was surely Arthur who had been unfaithful in his marriage vows, in the song he puts himself in the role of the abandoned lover.

"[4] According to Younger, Alexander stated that, though his wife had indeed not been unfaithful to him, he believed that she had begun to regret not taking back her former boyfriend, who had since "moved on".

[13] Unterberger praised the Beatles' version in his review: Ringo Starr faithfully [replicates] the unusual drum rhythm and hi-hat crunches.

Lennon's vocal, however, added a tortured pain not present in Alexander's model, particularly when he wailed in his upper register at the conclusion of the bridges.

[6]Music critic Ian MacDonald had a different view of Lennon's vocal delivery, saying it sounded like "a passionate youth grappling with a man's song".