Paperback Writer Lyrics (Lennon/McCartney)




Paperback writer

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
Based on a novel by a man named Lear
And I need a job, so I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

It's the 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.

Paperback writer

It's a thousand pages, give or take a few,
I'll be writing more in a week or two.
I can make it longer if you like the style,
I can change it round and I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

If you really like it you can have the rights,
It could make a million for you overnight.
If you must return it, you can send it here
But I need a break and I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

Paperback writer

Paperback writer - paperback writer
Paperback writer - paperback writer

 
Lead Singer: Paul

Recording: 4/13/66, 4/14/66
Mixing: 4/14/66, 10/31/66
Length: 2:15
Take: 2

Anomalies

0:10 * NEW *
Breath sound, rustling
0:57
(Right channel) sounds like a cough and tambourine rattle
1:20
Somebody manages to forget to come in with the harmony until literally one second too late on the "Frere Jacques." (Right channel) Likely John.
1:45
Right channel again, someone clears his throat, and then a couple of quiet tries at the correct notes before singing "Paperback Writer."
Written by Paul McCartney after helping set up a bookshop for some friends.
McCartney's bass was boosted by using a loudspeaker as its microphone and positioning it in front of the bass speaker. There was some concern that the heavy bass line would make record players skip.
Ringo's bass drum was emphasized on this. A microphone was placed an inch away to make it boom.
John Lennon and George Harrison sang the French nursery rhyme "Frere Jacques" in the background.
Lennon claimed this was "the brother" of "Day Tripper," meaning the song was based on a "dirty" sounding guitar lick. The Beatles released "Day Tripper" the previous year. (thanks, chet - saratoga springs, NY)
The first #1 hit for The Beatles that was not about love.
The ad for the single in England used the "butcher cover," showing The Beatles holding parts of bloody dolls. It caused a stir in America when it was used for the Yesterday and Today album, which is now a collector's item.


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