Album: Rubber Soul
Year: 1965
Written by: Lennon & McCartney
In the fall of 1965, John and Paul were working furiously to write new songs for their sixth studio album, Rubber Soul. One of my personal favorite albums, Rubber Soul marked a huge turning point in the sound of The Beatles' music and in the style of their songwriting. Michelle, one of the most famous songs on this memorable album, was a French-sounding tune that Paul had actually begun writing six years earlier.
Back when the lads were still students in Liverpool, Paul would sometimes pretend to be French* and he would play this tune at parties. As they were preparing for Rubber Soul, John suggested that he write lyrics for "that French thing," and the song then became known as Michelle. Paul wanted to add some French lyrics to make it sound more authentic, so he asked the wife of a very good friend, Ivan Vaughan (who had introduced John and Paul back in 1957!), to translate the line "These are words that go together well." John also helped to add a French twist by writing the "I love you, I love you, I looove you" part, which gives the song a very romantic and dramatic flair.
Back when the lads were still students in Liverpool, Paul would sometimes pretend to be French* and he would play this tune at parties. As they were preparing for Rubber Soul, John suggested that he write lyrics for "that French thing," and the song then became known as Michelle. Paul wanted to add some French lyrics to make it sound more authentic, so he asked the wife of a very good friend, Ivan Vaughan (who had introduced John and Paul back in 1957!), to translate the line "These are words that go together well." John also helped to add a French twist by writing the "I love you, I love you, I looove you" part, which gives the song a very romantic and dramatic flair.
Paul does an exquisite lead vocal, with John and George providing the beautiful backing vocals. In addition to being an often-requested classic, Michelle is the favorite Beatles song of both Ms. Campos and my mom, Roma.
* = Paul often adopted a French persona when he was younger. Once, on a tour of Scotland back in 1960 when the band was still struggling, they all temporarily took stage names. Paul changed his name to "Paul Ramon" because he thought it sounded "very French." Years later, the punk band The Ramones, whose members were all huge Beatles fans, named themselves after this pseudonym.
* = Paul often adopted a French persona when he was younger. Once, on a tour of Scotland back in 1960 when the band was still struggling, they all temporarily took stage names. Paul changed his name to "Paul Ramon" because he thought it sounded "very French." Years later, the punk band The Ramones, whose members were all huge Beatles fans, named themselves after this pseudonym.
