The 25 Greatest Songs of Paul McCartney’s Illustrious Career

23. “Paperback Writer” (1966)

Image Source: Martin E. Klimek/USA TODAY

Keeping with the public’s apparent push for less McCartney love-themed material, legend has it he was asked by a relative to pen a song away from that topic while with the band. Though, it’s commonly believed that McCartney wrote the song after reading a newspaper article about a budding author. Released as a single, it went to No. 1 on the charts. “Paperback Writer” remains a staple at McCartney live shows.