1 Meaning
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Paperback Writer Lyrics
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 the 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 want to be a 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 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 if you can send it here
But I need a break
and I want to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer
Paperback writer
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
and his clinging wife doesn't understand
His son is working for the Daily Mail
It's a steady job
But he want to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer
Paperback writer
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
It could make a million for you overnight
If you must return if you can send it here
But I need a break
and I want to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer
Paperback writer
Paperback writer
Paperback writer
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
This song is actually about a French man that Paul and John met out on the streets. They were looking for inspiration for a song that wasn't about love, and could have a deeper, or more simplistic meaning about, well... something else. The man in the song was French, and he spoke in broken English and had proclaimed that he wanted to be a "Paperback Writer." He said the book was "based on a novel by a man named lire." Based on, in French ("fondé sur") also can mean "written by." When corrected to an English translation, its actual meaning is "I am the man who made this book, please read it." Notice, "lire" (not lear or leer) is the verb tense of "read" in French. This explains why he says he wants to be a "Paperback Writer," because in actual translation, he wanted to be a "published author." In order to further the French reference, the backing lyrics are "Frère Jacques." You may better understand them as "Freeeeeh-Raaaaaaah -- Shaaaaah-Gueeeeez."
In basic, this song is about a beggar on the street who wanted to publish a story, yet could not due to his economic position.
Song Meaning: It's about the starving artists who couldn't get their name out there. And that was deep enough for The Beatles.