Song

Paperback Writer

Release date: 30 May 1966

Paperback writer, 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 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.

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"

US single sleeve
Single by The Beatles
B-side "Rain"
Released 30 May 1966 (US)
10 June 1966 (UK)
Format 7"
Recorded 13 & 14 April 1966
EMI Studios, London
Genre Hard rock, power pop
Length 2:18 (stereo version)
2:26 (mono single version)
Label Parlophone R5452 (UK)
Capitol 5651 (US)
Writer(s) Lennon-McCartney
Producer George Martin
Certification Gold (RIAA)
The Beatles singles chronology
"We Can Work It Out" /
"Day Tripper"
(UK-1965)
--
"Nowhere Man"
(US-1966)
"Paperback Writer" / "Rain"
(1966)
"Eleanor Rigby" / "Yellow Submarine"
(1966)

"Paperback Writer" is a 1966 song recorded and released by the Beatles. Written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon (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, Ireland, West Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. On the US Billboard Hot 100, the song was at number one for two non-consecutive weeks, being interrupted by Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night".

"Paperback Writer" was the last new song by the Beatles to be featured on their final tour in 1966, and was the group's only U.S. number one released that year.

©1966 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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