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The title "Ticket to Ride" presents two primary interpretations, each reflective of differing meanings. The more wholesome explanation comes from McCartney, who shared a nostalgic recollection of a trip to the Isle of Wight. During their visit to see relatives, the phrase "ticket to ride" referred to a mode of transport like a bus or ferry.
In contrast, journalist Don Short offered a more provocative take. He suggested that "Ticket to Ride" referred to health cards that female sex workers in Hamburg had to carry to certify their health status. Given the band's history in Hamburg, this interpretation resonates with the period's slang connotations, suggesting deeper themes of departure and infidelity.