Paperback Writer

"Paperback Writer" is a 1966 rock song recorded and released by The Beatles. Credited to Lennon/McCartney, the song was released as the A-side of their eleventh single. The single went to the number one spot in the United States, United Kingdom, West Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. Written in the form of a letter from an aspiring author to a publisher, "Paperback Writer" was the first UK Beatles single that was not a love song (though "Nowhere Man", which was a single in the U.S., was their first album song released with that distinction). One of McCartney's aunts reportedly requested that he write a song with some other theme than boy–girl relationships. British disc jockey Jimmy Savile claimed that McCartney's inspiration came from seeing drummer Ringo Starr reading a book. "He took one look and announced that he would write a song about a book," he said. In a 2007 interview, McCartney recalled that he wrote the song after reading in the Daily Mail about an aspiring author, possibly Martin Amis. The Daily Mail was Lennon's regular newspaper and was often in the studio when The Beatles were writing songs. The song's lyrics are in the form of a letter from an aspiring author addressed to a publisher. The author badly needs a job and has written a paperback version of a book by a "man named Lear." This is a reference to the Victorian painter Edward Lear, who wrote nonsense poems and songs of which John Lennon was very fond (though Lear never wrote novels). Aside from deviating from the subject of love, McCartney had it in mind to write a song with a melody backed by a single, static chord. "John and I would like to do songs with just one note like 'Long Tall Sally.' We got near it in 'The Word.'" McCartney claimed to have barely failed to achieve this goal with "Paperback Writer," as the verse remains on G until the end, at which point it pauses on C. The backing vocals during this section are from the French children's song "Frère Jacques"."

[Intro: Paul McCartney, John Lennon & George Harrison] Paperback writer (writer, writer) [Verse 1: Paul McCartney, McCartney & Lennon & 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, McCartney & Lennon & 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 (writer, writer) [Verse 3: Paul McCartney, (Lennon & Harrison), McCartney & Lennon & Harrison] 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! [Verse 4: Paul McCartney, (Lennon & Harrison), McCartney & Lennon & Harrison] 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 (writer, writer) [Outro: Paul McCartney, John Lennon & George Harrison] Paperback writer, paperback writer Paperback writer, paperback writer Paperback writer, paperback writer Paperback writer, paperback writer