Paperback Writer

The Beatles

Paperback writer (paperback writer)

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
It's based on a novel by a man named Lear
And I need a job
So I wanna 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

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 could make it longer if you like the style
I can change it 'round
And I wanna 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 wanna be a paperback writer
Paperback writer

Paperback writer (paperback writer)
Paperback writer (paperback writer)
Paperback writer (paperback writer)
Paperback writer (paperback writer)
Paperback writer (paperback writer)


Lyrics submitted by Ice

Paperback Writer Lyrics as written by Paul Mccartney John Lennon

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Iricom US Ltd, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Paperback Writer song meanings
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36 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentWell, the story goes that Paul said he could write a song about anything, so his Grandmother asked him to write one about a paperback writer.
    Wyrmon May 14, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI agree, it's about a guy who wants to become a paperback writer. If there was one type of tome that was a big seller from the 1940's into the late 1960's, it was the pulp novel. A secondhand bookseller I went to a while ago had many on sale from that time period. In my mind, that probably where Paul got the other part of his inspiration, besides his grandma.
    OpinionHeadon September 25, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentwhy has no one commented on this song!!! lol its amazing! i love it!
    Swing Set Girlon September 01, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is obvious...Its about a guy who wants a break as a paperback writer XD Who WOULDN'T want a break as one? I mean, come on! Great song...One of the funnest songs I know XP
    Nikki-Nikksteron June 11, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWell, decades ago, the late great conductor Leonard Bernstein was trying to figure out the meanings of some of the lyrics to the Beatles. He turned it into a documentary (don't know if it is available anymore). One of songs he examined was Paperback Writer. He claimed that Lennon and McCartney wrote it as a metaphor for prostitution, literally and figuratively. It was at a time when they were starting to get pressure from the labels to "be" a certain kind of band, yet at the same time the still could remember how thrilling it was at first to be so successful. This explanation sounds about right to me, looking at the lyrics.
    payrayon June 11, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI don't agree with that.
    Philadelphia Eagleson November 25, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis for me is possibly the beatles most significant songs. Look at all the singles released beofre this. What does this song signify....a movement away from love related songs. This is where the beatles began to move on.
    PatTheRat99on December 09, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Commentcause you haven't moved forwards :P
    kindadependson April 18, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI don't think this song is about prostitution. I agree with Wyrm because I've heard that same story. Paul McCartney is an incredible lyricist. This in one of my favorite Beatle songs. I can only imagine what people were thinking when they first heard this back in the 60s. The vocal arrangements are great.
    MrLongroveon April 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is a weird song to be the only one you don't like one bit. Some people are really weird. I have no idea about the deeper meaning of the song, if there is one, but other than that it's pretty straight forward.
    tootsveganon September 18, 2005   Link

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