SONGBOOK
PAPERBACK WRITER/RAIN
A-side:
Paperback Writer (Lennon-McCartney)
B-side:
Rain (Lennon-McCartney)
Released: 10 June 1966 (Parlophone)
Highest chart position: 1
Weeks in chart: 11 (2 at number 1)
FAB FACT
The year 1966 started off quietly for The Beatles; they now felt they could control their own itinerary for recording, releasing and promoting their material. ‘Paperback Writer’ was released a whole six months after their previous single, and although it reached the top of the charts, it was their first single since ‘She Loves You’ not to go straight to number one.
FAB FACT
Paul wrote the song with John at Weybridge, after reading a Daily Mail article about an aspiring author. He was keen to write a song based around a single chord, and swapped his usual Hofner bass for a Rickenbacker, with its heavier sound. When John and George sing the backing vocals, they are singing ‘Frère Jacques’.
FAB FACT
‘Rain’ – considered by many to be the best Beatles B-side – was played faster and slowed down in production to give the song its dreamy, psychedelic quality.
FAB FACT
Promotional videos (in colour!) for both ‘Paperback Writer’ and ‘Rain’ were directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, in the 18th-century gardens of Chiswick House. In the video, you can see that Paul has chipped his front tooth (he’d had an accident on a moped).
FAB FACT
The Beatles filmed their one and only appearance on BBC’s Top of the Pops to promote the single.