Paperback writer (Paperback writer, paperback writer)
[Verse 1: Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney, John Lennon & George Harrison]
Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
It's based on a novel by a man named Lear
And I need a job, so I want to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer
[Verse 2: Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney, John Lennon & George Harrison]
It's a dirty story of a dirty man
And his clinging wife doesn't understand
His son is working for the Daily Mail
It's a steady job, but he wants to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer
[Chorus: Paul McCartney, John Lennon & George Harrison]
Paperback writer (Paperback writer, paperback writer)
[Verse 3: Paul McCartney, John Lennon & George Harrison & All]
It's a thousand pages, give or take a few (Frère)
I'll be writing more in a week or two (Jacques)
I could make it longer if you like the style (Frère)
I can change it 'round and I want to be a paperback writer (Jacques)
Paperback writer
If you really like it, you can have the rights (Frère)
It could make a million for you overnight (Jacques)
If you must return it, you can send it here (Frère)
But I need a break, and I want to be a paperback writer (Jacques)
Paperback writer
[Chorus: Paul McCartney, John Lennon & George Harrison]
Paperback writer (Paperback writer, paperback writer)
[Outro: Paul McCartney, John Lennon & George Harrison]
Paperback writer, paperback writer
Paperback writer, paperback writer
Paperback writer, paperback writer
Paperback writer, paperback writer
About
This song was released in 1966, and its creation was spawned when McCartney was requested to “not make a song about love.” The primary inspiration came from McCartney finding Ringo reading a book. He took one look and announced that he would write a song about a book.
The song is noted for the boosted sound of McCartney’s bass, being one of the loudest singles due to the new mastering equipment, and of course, being one of the few Beatles songs at that time which weren’t about love. This single was released with “Rain” as its b-side.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Before that, we had been influenced by artists like Smokey Robinson & The Miracles or Phil Spector. But at this point, it was The Beach Boys. “Paperback Writer” is a nod to them, and to the idea that everyone wants to write a novel. I liked the word ‘paperback.’
— Paul McCartney, Billboard, 2015
I arrived at Weybridge and told John I had this idea of trying to write off to a publishers to become a paperback writer, and I said, ‘I think it should be written like a letter.’ I took a bit of paper out and I said it should be something like, ‘Dear Sir or Madam, as the case may be…’ and I proceeded to write it just like a letter in front of him, occasionally rhyming it … And then we went upstairs and put the melody to it. John and I sat down and finished it all up, but it was tilted towards me– the original idea was mine. I had no music, but it’s just a little bluesy song, not a lot of melody. Then I had the idea to do the harmonies, and we arranged that in the studio.
— Paul McCartney, Many Years from Now
“Paperback Writer” is son of “Day Tripper” … meaning a rock ‘n roll song with a guitar lick on a fuzzy loud guitar.
— John Lennon, 1980
- 4.Help!
- 5.Michelle
- 6.Yesterday
- 7.I Feel Fine
- 10.Bad Boy
- 11.Day Tripper
- 13.Ticket to Ride
- 14.Paperback Writer
- 15.Eleanor Rigby