"At the end of the Beatles, I really was done in for the first time in my life. Until then, I really was a kind of cocky sod"

In this quote, Paul McCartney reflects on a turning point in his life, revealing a shift from a state of self-confidence to vulnerability. McCartney, a member of The Beatles, among the most renowned and prominent bands in music history, discloses his experience with the band's break up. Completion of The Beatles marked a considerable pivotal moment in his life, leaving him "carried out in" for the very first time. This phrase suggests that McCartney felt mentally and maybe physically tired, overwhelmed by the dissolution of a group that was as much a personal venture as a public phenomenon.

The phrase "arrogant sod" offers insight into his self-perception prior to this occasion. McCartney acknowledges that before The Beatles' breakup, he carried himself with a specific level of self-assurance and perhaps even conceit. The term "arrogant" denotes self-confidence that borders on conceit or brashness. "Sod", a British slang term, includes a layer of endearment or self-mockery, suggesting that he was a bit loaded with himself but maybe charmingly so. This self-confidence was likely bolstered by the band's unprecedented success and cultural effect.

The awareness of being "carried out in" symbolizes a humbling experience for McCartney. It is a moment of individual reckoning and vulnerability, recommending that the external success and public love could not shield him from the emotional toll of the band's dissolution. This sentiment highlights a universal theme: the internal individual obstacles behind the facade of success and popularity. McCartney's words show a shift from a younger, possibly ignorant, self-confidence to a deeper, more introspective understanding of himself and his location worldwide.

In essence, McCartney's quote encapsulates the duality of his life during The Beatles era - the crash of splendour and individual struggle, self-confidence and vulnerability. It provides a glance into his emotional landscape, demonstrating how endings can catalyze extensive personal improvement and a reevaluation of identity.