PAPERBACK WRITER / RAIN
Parlophone A8203
Released 16 June 1966
Original recommended retail price: $1.00
The first Australian Beatles single to identify Northern Songs directly as the publisher of both compositions.
Matrix Information
Side 1: (mono) 7XCE18380 7XAPA1148
Side 2: (mono) 7XCE18381 7XAPA1148

June 1982
Side 1: (stereo) A8203A OR
Side 2: (stereo) A8203B OR

Overview
Back in April 1965, Jack Argent (head of Leeds Music Australia) formed Dick James Music Pty Ltd followed by Northern Songs Pty Ltd. Commencing May 1966, Beatles titles were published direct by the relevant publishing house, rather than through the parent, Leeds Music. This change is reflected on record labels, with new releases and reissues of the pre-May 1966 catalogue displaying the updated publisher arrangements (except, intriguingly, the Rubber Soul LP, which displayed both Leeds Music and Northern Songs until 1969).

Thus, this single was the first Beatles single to be released with the publisher listed as Northern Songs.

Deleted in December 1968, the single would not be reissued until 1982, where in June it was recut (both sides in stereo) at Studios 301 by Otto Ruiter for inclusion in The Australian 20th Anniversary Singles Collection. It subsequently went out of print again before returning on 7 December 1987.
Chart Performance

Brisbane

(QLD)

Sydney

(NSW)

Melbourne

(VIC)

Hobart

(TAS)

Adelaide

(SA)

Perth

(WA)

Chart Entry

18-Jun-66

24-Jun-66

25-Jun-66*

16-Jun-66

18-Jun-66*

17-Jun-66

Highest Position

2

3

2

3

1

1

Weeks In

11

10

9

9

10

12
Listed as "Paperback Writer/Rain" except * "Paperback Writer"
Silver/Black Style 'A'
AUSP8203SBA.a
Silver/Black Style 'C'
AUSP8203SBC.a

First appeared in October 1982 with the release of The Australian 20th Anniversary Singles Collection

Visit AB34 for more information or to see an image of the picture sleeve