Comments on: Paperback Writer

By: William M. Neal

William M. Neal — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 22:10:42 +0000

The letter writer, was not lying or ignorant in saying Lear wrote a novel, he was saying his book, was based on the life, perhaps a day in the life? Of a man named Lear.

By: MikeP

MikeP — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 01:19:46 +0000

Funny, here in America, we never knew the newspaper – to us “his son is working for the daily mail” meant he worked for the Post Office.

By: Teddy Salad

Teddy Salad — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 20:41:28 +0000

@Martin Who do you think you are? William Mann? 😉

By: Virginia Abreu de Paula

Virginia Abreu de Paula — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 00:28:20 +0000

I don’t think it Rain was B side. It was on the other side, but it was equally A side. The proof about it is that they made clips for Rain as well. They promoted both songs. I guess it was the first time they did it. A single with two A sides. They did it later to Penny Lane/Strawberry Friels. E also Hey Jude/ Revolution. I know Americans didn’t accept it untill “Come Together/Something”. But it was like that in UK. Also here in Brazil. I remember listening to both songs in the radio and not only Paperback Writer. By the way, Paperback Writer/Rain was the first single by The Beatles my father really liked. I remember he asking me who was singing because he liked very much. And was very surprised to know it was The Beatles. He thought Paperback Writer was very similar to songs by Marujada, a folklorical group from my city. I agree. Sounds like indeed. And Rain sounds like songs my The Foliões, another folklorical group. Dad was a folklorist so he really apprecatied those songs.

By: Nina

Nina — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 01:46:24 +0000

I think what it is is that the book is influenced by the writer of the letter’s own life. The writer of the letter wants to be a paperback writer and one of the character’s in his novel that he is describing in the letter, “the dirty man’s” son, wants to be a paperback writer as well. Lear isn’t the man, Lear is supposedly another novelist(“it’s based on a novel by a man named Lear”). It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s autobiographical but both the letter writer and the character of the son in his book want to write books so in a way the son is probably his avatar in his book..

By: Joseph A, Malise Sr.

Joseph A, Malise Sr. — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 03:15:59 +0000

Paperback Writer is in fact the first #1 single released by “The Beatles” organization that is not about love.

By: MARTIN

MARTIN — Tue, 09 May 2017 18:28:47 +0000

The photo where George plays bass is from a rehearsal. In the recording Paul plays lead, George rhythm (with a heavy tremolo) and John tambourine. The bass was overbud later by Paul.

By: Mark Collard

Mark Collard — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 03:33:32 +0000

In the film clip George is playing what looks like a Gibson SG. Anyway, the guitar and drum bit (and whatever other rhythm instruments) at the start and in between verses still amazes me to this day. Great song, great musicianship.

By: BeatleKen

BeatleKen — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 02:33:33 +0000

About the above statement about the John’s guitar,in the picture that was talked about that was taken durin the session for Paperback Writer,in the picture-Paul is playin his Casino, John is playin that Gretsch, and George is playin the Burns bass BUT that doesnt mean it was recorded using that lineup.

By: Matt Hooper

Matt Hooper — Wed, 04 May 2016 18:38:29 +0000

Paul was more than adequate as a lead guitarist, and could have filled that role in nearly any band, but he had a different style than George. He played more lead as they transitioned into a studio band because they didn’t really need to replicate the lineup on stage. If you’ll notice, all three guitarists changed their main instruments at around this time, which was a result of their studio experimentation.

Paul had a more natural understanding of music theory, but the guitar solo battle in “The End” tells me all I need to know about who was the better lead guitarist – Paul (Casino), then George (Les Paul), the John (Casino). George sounds a lot like Clapton on this song and really shows that he is the best of the three.

By: Brian H.

Brian H. — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 00:18:04 +0000

One of my favorite Beatle songs as well. I love the repeating signature lead part. Incredible tone and melody. In my opinion, it’s one of the best lead fills in rock history.

By: matt sarconi

matt sarconi — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 05:54:04 +0000

A very favorite Beatles song. It has a powerful forward energy to it. Nothing else sounds like it. A brilliant example of their distinguished, fabulous, middle-era electric sound.

By: jennifur Sun

jennifur Sun — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 06:40:32 +0000

someone paid over a millon for Ringos old drum set. the reason i like this song, is because of Pauls new Rick bass. it just kicks……… there are times now when i hear some of their older stuff and wish he had had that bass earlier in their carreer

By: Graham Paterson

Graham Paterson — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 08:47:29 +0000

Great McCartney song. Love the guitar work and vocals. John Lennon’s “Rain” on the flip side is a classic as well.

By: David

David — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 02:53:10 +0000

I saw Paul in concert and he said “This is the guitar he played on Paperback Writer”. It looked like the Casino’s that you see John and George with.

By: August lake

August lake — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:12:01 +0000

Was this song truly the beginning of the Paul is dead rumor. I’d heard Epstein was unhappy with the song in that he wanted another yesterday/Michelle. Anybody…….

By: Paul M

Paul M — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 11:32:05 +0000

Can anyone tell me why Paul Mcartney played lead guitar on so many songs. I can’t think of any other band where the bass player plays so much lead guitar. Also, it is so obvious that the bass is Paul Mcartney, so he played bass & lead. Dare it be that George Harrison wasn’t really up to the job when it came to blistering guitar which Mcartney seems to be able to do. If this being the case, why didn’t they just get a guitarist who could cope with what was required.

By: deedeemao

deedeemao — Sun, 17 May 2015 06:05:56 +0000

Because a picture of George was taken hold ing a differnent instrument than what he usually played is ardly solid evidence that he played that instrument on the final track.

Harrison was a multi-instrumentalist and probably picked up every instrument that was anywhere near him and played around with it during any given recording session/. He also played many different guitars throughout his life and was one of the pioneers of the 12 string electric in rock. his usew of the slide was distinctly all his own but reflected his smooth, subtle, approach to every instrument that he played.

By: Rand Kelly

Rand Kelly — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 09:11:57 +0000

I was thinking about the lyrics to this yesterday at work. I always noticed how Paul starts the song off as he wanting to be a Paperback Writer until he gets to the verse where “his son is working for the daily mail,it’s a steady job,but he wants to be a Paperback Writer.” So now the subject of the song has changed from Paul to Mr. Lear’s son. Why? I have asked myself this so many times,but now I think the Son actually is the storyteller,Paul. Which would explain why they both want to be a Paperback Writer. Of course the story is fiction,it’s Paul right? But,even he wrote about people he knew from his life. I love this song.

By: Kenny Miles

Kenny Miles — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 02:42:41 +0000

The 2nd half of Paperback Writer really looks in & rocks harder than the 1st half.