Woman (Paul McCartney song)
Encyclopedia
"Woman" is a 1966 single by Peter and Gordon, written by Paul McCartney
under a pseudonym.
moniker, McCartney had written three previous Peter and Gordon singles (viz. “A World Without Love
”, “Nobody I Know
”, and “I Don't Want to See You Again
”).
On this occasion, McCartney used the pseudonym Bernard Webb (though some Capitol
pressings carry the name A. Smith instead) to see if the song would be a success without the Lennon/McCartney credit. McCartney commented at a press conference in August 1966, "People come up to them and say, 'Ah, we see you're just getting in on the Lennon/McCartney bandwagon'. That's why they did that one with our names not on it... because everyone sort of thinks that's the reason they get hits." However, the publishing credit was Lennon and McCartney's company Northern Songs
, and according to Gordon Waller it took only two weeks' time for the song's real author to be revealed, as the first review of the record said, "This Bernard Webb has an amazing talent. Could even be Paul McCartney!" It was then introduced as written by McCartney when Peter and Gordon performed it on the US TV show Hullabaloo
.
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
under a pseudonym.
Authorship
Under the Lennon/McCartneyLennon/McCartney
The Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership is one of the best-known and most successful musical collaborations in history...
moniker, McCartney had written three previous Peter and Gordon singles (viz. “A World Without Love
A World Without Love
"A World Without Love" is a song recorded by the English duo Peter and Gordon and released as their first single in February 1964, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart in April. The song was written by Paul McCartney and attributed to Lennon–McCartney. The B-side was "If I Were You" written...
”, “Nobody I Know
Nobody I Know
Nobody I Know is a song by Paul McCartney , recorded by Peter and Gordon in 1964....
”, and “I Don't Want to See You Again
I Don't Want to See You Again
I Don't Want To See You Again is a song by Paul McCartney credited to Lennon–McCartney, that was released by Peter and Gordon in 1964 as single....
”).
On this occasion, McCartney used the pseudonym Bernard Webb (though some Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
pressings carry the name A. Smith instead) to see if the song would be a success without the Lennon/McCartney credit. McCartney commented at a press conference in August 1966, "People come up to them and say, 'Ah, we see you're just getting in on the Lennon/McCartney bandwagon'. That's why they did that one with our names not on it... because everyone sort of thinks that's the reason they get hits." However, the publishing credit was Lennon and McCartney's company Northern Songs
Northern Songs
Northern Songs was a company founded in 1963, by music publisher Dick James, Brian Epstein, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, to publish songs written by Lennon and McCartney , as well as songs written by George Harrison and Ringo Starr, who were all members of The Beatles...
, and according to Gordon Waller it took only two weeks' time for the song's real author to be revealed, as the first review of the record said, "This Bernard Webb has an amazing talent. Could even be Paul McCartney!" It was then introduced as written by McCartney when Peter and Gordon performed it on the US TV show Hullabaloo
Hullabaloo (TV series)
Hullabaloo is an American musical variety series that ran on NBC from January 12, 1965 through August 29, 1966. Similar to Shindig! it ran in prime time in contrast to ABC's American Bandstand.-Overview:...
.