McCartney: A Life in Lyrics Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
Feb 14, 2024
The podcast explores the inspiration behind Paul McCartney's song 'Maxwell’s Silver Hammer' and his unique approach to storytelling. It delves into the dark themes of the song, the technological innovations used during recording, and the shift from a romantic narrative to a darker story of a medical student turned serial murderer.
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Absurdist Inspiration
- Paul McCartney heard a BBC production of Alfred Jarry's absurdist play “Ubu Cocu” while driving.
- Inspired by its rebelliousness, he wrote “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.
Story Songs
- McCartney considers himself unique among the Beatles for writing story songs.
- He attributes this to his interest in literature and imaginative storytelling.
Pataphysics Discussions
- McCartney learned about Pataphysics from his friend Barry Miles.
- They discussed Alfred Jarry and the concept of the 'science of imaginary solutions'.