Beatles Notes
P
Paperback Writer 1
(Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly Paul
Recorded: 13, 14 Apr 66
Released: 23 May 66 (US), 10 Jun 66 (UK)
Notes: John: "son of Day Tripper." Bass melodic for first time; bass and harmonies inspired by Brian Wilson, "Pet Sounds." In form of a letter to a publisher. Paul's first song not about love. Most think "the man named Lear" was Norman Lear, of nonsense poem fame, but King Lear is likely from the Jane connection.
Penny Lane 2 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly Paul
Recorded: 29, 30 Dec 66, much of Jan 67
Released: 13 Feb 67 (US), 17 Feb 67 (UK); on "Magical Mystery Tour" 27 Nov 67 (US)
Notes: By Paul, but it was actually John who lived in Penny Lane (a district). Banker, barber, fire station, all real. After overdubbing on 5 Jan, created "Carnival of Light" tape for a COL Rave. Paul had original idea in Nov 65.
Piggies 3 (Harrison)
Real Author: Mostly George
Recorded: 19, 20 Sep, 10 Oct 68
Released: on "The Beatles": 22 Nov 68 (UK), 25 Nov 68 (US)
Notes: John helped as did George's mother, who contributed the "wacking" line.
Please Please Me 4 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: John
Recorded: 26 Nov 62
Released: 11 Jan 63 (UK), 25 Feb 63 (US), 30 Jan 64 (US), 10 Aug 64 (US), 11 Oct 65 (US); on "Please Please Me": 22 Mar 63 (UK), on "Introducing the Beatles": 27 Jan 64 (US), on "The Early Beatles": 22 Mar 65 (US)
Notes: Written at Menlove Ave. as a Roy Orbison song, like "Only the Lonely." Inspired by a Bing Cosby song "Please:" which plays on pleas/please.
Polythene Pam 5 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: John
Recorded: 25, 29, 30 Jul 69
Released: on "Abbey Road": 26 Sept 69 (UK), 1 Oct 69 (US)
Notes: About a real girl (Stephanie) he had sex with jointly with Royston Ellis on 8 Aug 63, all three wearing polyethelene bags. Name from earlier; Polythene Pat was a 61 girl who drove with John and Paul and who ate polythene. Written in India.
PS I Love You 6 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly Paul
Recorded: 11 Sep 62
Released: 5 Oct 62 (UK), 27 Apr 64 (US), 10 Aug 64 (US), 11 Oct 65 (US); on "Please Please Me": 22 Mar 63 (UK), on "Introducing the Beatles": 22 Jul 63 (US), on "The Early Beatles": 22 Mar 65 (US)
Notes: Written at about 16 in Hamburg. Inspired by "Soldier Boy" by the Shirelles. Probably for Paul's then girlfriend, Dot Rhone.
1 "Paperback Writer"
[Paperback Writer : Singles]
2 "Penny Lane"
[Penny Lane : Magical Mystery Tour]
3 "Piggies"
[Piggies : The Beatles]
4 "Please Please Me"
[Please Please Me : Please Please Me]
5 "Polythene Pam"
[Polythene Pam : Abbey Road]
6 "P.S. I Love You"
[P. S. I Love You : Please Please Me]
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