In June 1966, the Beatles released the first fruits of their spring 1966 recording sessions, the Paperback Writer/Rain single. “Paperback Writer” combined Whoish power pop with Beach Boys-like harmonies (yes, they are singing “Frere Jacques”!). The B-side, though, was possibly the first released recording by a pop band to include a backwards recording (John Lennon’s singing on the fade).

Recently I recorded an acoustic version that nevertheless also has some backwards stuff going on. Since I left out the chorus my version emphasizes the droning aspect of the song even more than the original.