Released 58 years ago today, one of The Beatles’ greatest 45’s, “Paperback Writer” b/w “Rain.” Both songs had been recorded in the time frame of the Revolver sessions, though neither track ended up on the album. They are two of the best performances of the band’s rhythm section. Ringo to this day claims “Rain” is his best performance on any Beatles recording. The prominent bass on both tracks was prompted by John wondering to EMI’s engineers why the bass on Wilson Pickett records was so much louder and fuller than on their records. When it came to the mastering stage, EMI implemented the use of a new machine, the Automatic Transient Overload Control, which enabled the master to be cut at a higher volume than previously used.

McCartney was the main composer of “Paperback Writer,” prompted by a letter from his Aunt Lil who asked why he wrote about love all the time. “Years ago, my Auntie Lil said to me, ‘why do you always write songs about love all the time? Can’t you ever write about a horse or the summit conference or something interesting?’ Spotting Ringo reading a book backstage, Paulie decided that would be the basis of the new song. He came up with the idea of the song being a letter to a publisher, telling John it would begin with “Dear Sir or Madam,” and going from there. McCartney also wanted a song with a strong melody but only a single note as a drone backing. The verses are in G until after the last line when it falls to a C. The backing track was completed April 13, 1966 in two takes, with vocals and overdubs completed the next day. Paul plays the opening guitar riff, though George would play it when the band performed it on their ’66 tour. Initially, George switched to bass while George Martin added an organ and tack piano, which were removed from the final recording. Future Let It Be director Michael Lindsey-Hogg filmed four promo films for the song about 10 days before the release, two in color for US television, and two in black and white for British television. One of the color films would be shown on The Ed Sullivan Show in early June, filmed at EMI Studios. A 2nd color film was shot at Chiswick House in West London.

“Paperback Writer” would hit #1 in the US for two non-consecutive weeks, June 25th & July 9th. It would be knocked out of the top spot for one week by a song recorded more or less as a favor. The original track was an instrumental titled “Beddy Bye,” credited to Bert Kaempfert, heard in the film A Man Could Get Killed starring James Garner. Producer Jimmy Bowen heard the track and told publisher Hal Fine that his main artist, Frank Sinatra, would record the song if the title was changed and lyrics were added. The first two sets of lyrics were rejected, and Frank swore off the song. Finally, a 3rd set was accepted and Frank recorded it, though he called it “a piece of shit.” Mainly he thought the writers were nice guys and he recorded it as a favor on April 11, 1966, in the first hour of a session that was actually Dean Martin’s date at United Western Recorders. Glen Campbell is on rhythm guitar. To Frank’s surprise, “Strangers in the Night” would become his 1st #1 single in 12 years, and the album of the same name would be the most commercially successful album of his career. Go figure.

Today’s Playlist, in honor of The Beatles’ “Paperback Writer”/”Rain” 45, is a SomethingIsHappening compendium of Rain and Paper songs: