- UK release date:
- Jun 10, 1966
- Publisher:
- Parlophone
- Reference:
- R 5452
Timeline
More from year 1966
Related sessions
This album has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Recording "Love You To", "Paperback Writer"
Apr 13, 1966
Recording "Paperback Writer", "Rain"
Apr 14, 1966
Apr 16, 1966
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Track list
Side 1
1.
2:28 • Studio version • A • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Lead guitar, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Backing vocals, Tambourine
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Rhythm guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Apr 13, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Apr 14, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Side 2
1.
3:01 • Studio version • A • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Tambourine
- John Lennon :
- Guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Apr 14, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Apr 16, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
About
From Something Else!:
[…] It had been a while since they released their previous single, “We Can Work it Out”/”Day Tripper” in December of 1965, so the band was overdue for a new one. “Paperback Writer” and “Rain” were chosen to grace the first Beatles single of 1966, and were released in the U.S.A. on May 30; the U.K. release followed on June 10. “Paperback Writer” has been considered the A-side, not surprisingly as it is the more spirited and catchy of the two. However, the picture sleeve listed it first on one side and second to “Rain” on the other. If Mark Lewisohn is the final arbiter, then the appendices for Chronicle book lists “Paperback Writer” alone in the lists for the Beatles’ Peak Singles, sandwiched between others that were listed as actual double A-sides (“We Can Work It Out”/”Day Tripper” and “Eleanor Rigby”/”Yellow Submarine”).
While the single quickly shot up both the U.K. and U.S. charts, it lasted only one week at No. 1. Lewisohn notes that it was the Beatles’ lowest-selling single since their very first, “Love Me Do.” At this point in their career, the Beatles were blazing through new trails, turning their attention to increasing the creativity of their music and recordings in light of seeing the end of exhausting and unproductive touring — and it might have take a while for the public to catch up. One can surmise that the content of these two songs caught the fickle female records-buying public by surprise, and after hearing the songs on the radio were not as interested in purchasing a single where the subjects were about a desperate job hunter and the weather – instead of, well, the girls themselves. […]
lndian pop, using wailing harmony and dipping bass lines
THE BEATLES: “Paperback Writer” (Parlophone): It’s here, the brand new Beatles’ single. From the pen of John and Paul, they subtly follow the trait towards Indian pop using wailing harmony and dipping bass lines. A very swinging track with a lot of impact, some vicious sounds, and almost disconcerting vocal harmonies. Producer George Martin has obtained a very powerful overall sound with some excellent timing on the vocal echo. John [sic – Paul] sings in rather a strained, urgent, cry about the man who wants to be a paperback writer with George and Paul soaring behind him. Many falsetto harmonies over George’s heavy, churning guitar. Certainly right up to Beatles standard and needless to say — a huge hit.
From Melody Maker – June 4, 1996
BEATLES SINGLE No. 12
But shock over new album—not until August!
THE title and release date for the Beatles’ twelfth single were announced this week — but there was surprise news of their seventh album, which will not be released until late summer ! Title of the new single is “Paperback Writer” and the coupling is “Rain”; both sides are of course Lennon-McCartney compositions. The disc will be issued on Friday, June 10 — six months and a week after their last, “Day Tripper”/ “We Can Work It Out.”
“Paperback Writer” features Paul’s voice double-tracked, and tells the story of a journalist who is frustrated by his efforts to get a novel published. John double-tracks on “Rain,” a slower number about the weather and how people complain about it.
Although the Beatles have been recording for four weeks. their next LP is still not complete, and they have temporarily suspended recording sessions. The album is not planned for release before August.
From New Musical Express – May 6, 1966
Last updated on February 25, 2023
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