Paperback Writer

Paperback Writer is a song by the English rock band The Beatles, recorded in 1966 during the Revolver sessions.

Lyrics
Paperback writer (paperback writer)

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 wanna be a paperback writer

Paperback writer

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

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 could make it longer if you like the style

I can change it 'round

And I wanna 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 wanna be a paperback writer

Paperback writer

Paperback writer (paperback writer)

Paperback writer (paperback writer)

Paperback writer (paperback writer)

Paperback writer (paperback writer)

Paperback writer (paperback writer)

History
Paperback Writer was a standalone single released in June 1966, written by Paul McCartney and recorded over two consecutive days during the Revolver sessions. The song Rain was on the b-side. At the start of The Beatles’ career, Brian Epstein and George Martin had drawn up a plan of releasing four singles and two albums each year to sustain interest in the group and satisfy popular demand. The release of Paperback Writer came 27 weeks after its predecessor, Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out. It marked the end of the release plan and saw The Beatles entering a phase where they were less motivated by commercial demands and more focused on musical development.

Paperback Writer was an attempt by McCartney to write a song based on a single chord; possibly influenced by Indian music, but most likely a result of their marijuana use. Other songs from this period, notably The Word, If I Needed Someone and Tomorrow Never Knows, were similarly modeled. McCartney wrote Paperback Writer after reading a Daily Mail report about an aspiring author and composed it on the way to Lennon’s house in Weybridge.

Paperback Writer reflected the can-do attitude of mid-1960s British society. The lyrics can be seen in the same context as Rubber Soul’ s similarly light-hearted Drive My Car. The backing vocals found The Beatles singing “Frère Jacques” and the powerful four-part harmonies of the chorus were swathed in tape echo. It showed the band becoming more confident by the minute; musically, lyrically and willing to exploit their position as the figureheads of popular culture.