Songs > Penny Lane

Penny Lane

(Lennon/McCartney)

Song background
Much like it's A-side counterpart "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Penny Lane" is a song about nosalgia and childhood. Penny Lane is a street in Liverpool where John and Paul grew up, described in real life as "dull".

Recording dates ...

Release dates

• February 13, 1967 (US) ("Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane" single)
• February 17, 1967 (UK) ("Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane" single)
• November 27, 1967 (US) (on Magical Mystery Tour)
• April 2, 1973 (US) (on 1967-70)
• April 19, 1973 (UK) (on 1967-70)
• November 14, 2000 (UK & US) (on Beatles 1)

Recording notes

• The piccolo trumpet part was played by classically-trained trumpeter David Mason and scored by George Martin after hearing Paul McCartney hum the tune he wanted.

Chart performance

• #1, March 18, 1967 (1 week), Billboard (US)

Quotes

• "It's part fact; it's part nostalgia." - Paul McCartney, discussing the characters mentioned in the song
• "The reason that Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane didn't appear on the album [Sgt. Peppers] is that Brian Epstein, their manager, was worried. He said to me, 'The boys need a lift - they need a great sequel and what have you got.' Well, I said, 'We've got two wonderful songs - let's issue them both.' In those days we didn't include single releases in albums as we thought we were conning the public. One of the biggest errors I ever made." - George Martin on why the song was not included on 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'

Awards ...

Other notes ...

Notable covers ...