Paul was asked why he liked love songs so much. He said the genre was timeless because people are falling in love all the time. Whether you’re heartbroken or young or not even thinking about a relationship, you might find love soon enough. For these reasons, he felt writing love songs was practical.
“But more importantly, they touch you,” he said. “All the corny old phrases, ‘They pull at your heartstrings.’ That’s what I was getting at with ‘Silly Love Songs.’
“It was daring to allow those emotions, cos I think from time to time it’s a bit unfashionable to be soppy: ‘Aw, come off it,'” he added. “Sometimes you’ve got to be positive.”
Paul discussed Springsteen’s reaction to “Silly Love Songs.” “I remember Bruce Springsteen coming up to me at one of those Rock & Roll Hall of Fame awards and saying, ‘Hey man, you know that song of yours, ‘Silly Love Songs?’ When it came out I thought it was a bit soppy,’ or whatever the word he used was.”
Springsteen’s opinion changed. “He said, ‘I didn’t get it, but I really get it now, man.’ And it’s something that happens. He’s fallen in love, he’s had kids, and he’s more able to accept that thought, which bothered a lot of people at the time.” Paul said this anecdote proved to him love songs are eternal. He said people are always going to be in love and he hopes that never changes.
"Before that, we had been influenced by artists like Smokey Robinson & The Miracles or Phil Spector. But at this point, it was The Beach Boys.out
'Paperback Writer' is a nod to them, and to the idea that everyone wants to write a novel. I liked the word 'paperback.' Why are John and George chanting "Frere Jacques" in the background vocals?
That's a good question. No idea! We threw in all sorts of stuff. Why did we say 'Harold Wilson' and 'Edward Heath' in the background vocals of 1966's "Taxman? We were completely free about throwing in an interesting idea."
