so123 September 28th, 2008 06:31PM  
Perhaps "baby" is Astrid and "Him" is Stuart ?

so123 October 17th, 2008 08:09PM  
Ok let me explain a little more. I believe that "Baby is Asrtid Kirchherr an early friend of the Beatles who became the bands first photographer . She is the one who dressed them all in black in the early photos . You can see photo's taken of her in the early years she's often dressed in black and it's said that a room in her house was also designed all in black even the furniture . I also believe that " Him " is Stuart Sutcliffe early member of the Beatles and John Lennons friend. This was a time for them before fame and it seems that Astrid fell for Stuart over John .

Oh dear what can I do ?
Baby's in black and I'm felling blue . Johns felling bad
for astrids loss

She thinks of him and so she dresses in black
And though he'll never come back she's dressed in black . Astrids devestated by Stuarts death , but John knows he's not comming back .

I think of her , but she thinks only of him
and although it's only a whim she thinks of him
Oh how long will it take till she sees the mistake she has made ? John cannot get Astrid ot of his thoughts , but he understands that her thoughts are with Stuart not him . John ponders how long will it take yo see the mistake she has made suggesting there may have been a competition for Astrid between John and Stuart .

Stuart Sutcliffe died in 1962 this song was released in 1964 so the time line makes sense. Although I have never heard this explanation of these lyrics before after listening to this song and doing a little research I believe this interpretation to be correct.

deathcow9110 January 2nd, 2009 05:16PM  
I agree with the last post but I would also like to add that if shes dressed in black because of him he has no reason why she would dress in black. Oh wait I get it Black is funeral colers.