The Beatles - Penny Lane

The Beatles - Penny Lane 1967

"Penny Lane" is a song by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon/McCartney. Recorded during the Sgt. Pepper sessions, "Penny Lane" was released in February 1967 as one side of a double A-sided single, along with "Strawberry Fields Forever". The song was later included on the Magical Mystery Tour LP (1967). The single was the result of the record company wanting a new release after several months of no new Beatles releases. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #449 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The song's title is derived from the name of a street in the band's hometown, Liverpool. The area that surrounds its junction with Smithdown Road is also commonly called Penny Lane. Locally the term "Penny Lane" was the name given to Allerton Road and Smithdown Road and its busy shopping area. Penny Lane is named after James Penny, an 18th century slave trader. McCartney and Lennon grew up in the area and they would meet at Penny Lane junction in the Mossley Hill area to catch a bus into the centre of the city. The street is an important landmark, sought out by most Beatles fans touring Liverpool. In the past, street signs saying "Penny Lane" were constant targets of tourist theft and had to be continually replaced. Eventually, city officials gave up and simply began painting the street name on the sides of buildings. This practice was stopped in 2007 and more theft-resistant "Penny Lane" street signs have since been installed though some are still stolen. The Abbey Road sign is also frequently stolen for the same reason.

The original US promo single mix of "Penny Lane" had an additional flourish of piccolo trumpet notes at the end of the song. This mix was quickly superseded by one without the last trumpet passage, but not before a handful of copies had been pressed and sent to radio stations. These recordings are among the rarest and most valuable Beatles collectibles. A stereo mix of the song with the additional trumpet added back in was included on the US Rarities compilation in 1980, and is included on an alternate take of the song released on Anthology 2 in 1996. * Paul McCartney -- lead vocal, harmony and background vocals, three pianos and bass. * John Lennon -- harmony and backing vocal, two pianos, congas and handclaps * George Harrison -- backing vocal, handbell and handclaps * Ringo Starr -- drums, tambourine * George Martin -- piano, production, orchestration * David Mason -- piccolo trumpet solo * Ray Swinfield, P. Goody, Manny Winters -- flutes, piccolos * Leon Calvert, Freddy Clayton, Bert Courtley, Duncan Campbell -- trumpets, flugelhorn * Dick Morgan, Mike Winfield -- oboes, cor anglais * Frank Clarke -- double-bass

In other news, I have added the lyrics to this song so you can sing along, or perhaps learn the song! This is how I learned my first Beatles song! Enjoy :)

• Category

  Music

[Skye Roshon]

Okay honey you need to SHUT THE FUCK UP!

NOBODY CARES IF YOU LOVE BEIBER.

And The Beatles + The Beatles = THE BEATLES

[Skye Roshon]

74 people need to go back to Penny Lane.

[solma018]

i love justin bieber..is cute..i'm directioner and all but..never they will be like beatles..they are different..beatles are the best band of all time..1D better than the beatles? pff

[Skye Roshon]

Don't feed the snoop

[bob frimanid]

No. Justin bieber is not better than the bet band ever

[Tom Morgan]

Please don't feed the troll

[TheAmazingUncleSam]

I was simply stating that justin bieber and one direction are even better than the beatles music. I'm not trolling at all. im simply just some true belieber that's dedicated to spreading the joy of justin bieber's music to the world of old school musical fans!

[Ryan Kerr]

ok you've completely failed at trolling here's why:

1) you said old school music is bad then said 'Justin Bieber + One Direction = The Beatles' this would imply that you don't like either of them two groups.

2) You asked for thumbs up on a comment that is clearly a hate comment.

so please if you must "troll" at least be consistent and convincing.

[jemimah mayores]

wow. i think your on drugs or maybe you need to take some. bieber? seriously?

[Emily Machala]

I just hope you know that without the Beatles, we wouldn't have the so-called music that you listen to. Justin Bieber fell off, did you hear the "boo"'s he recieved at the Billboard Awards? The Beatles are still selling even after almost 40 years. "Yoloswag" didn't get him very far, now, did it? Please reconsider your life choices before you try to diss the best and most revolutionary band in the world.

[Rachel Rominger]

i listen to this when jogging, when im sad, when im happy, when im pissed at my math teacher, its a good song

[Skye Roshon]

yes. :P