1965 Grammy-Winning Love Ballad Started Out as a Joke

Despite only being a band for 10 years,The Beatles have seriously prolific discography. The British group is still recognized for several hits, like their 1965 tune "Michelle," which took home the title of Song of the Year at the 1967 Grammys.

Some Beatles fans may not be aware that the romantic song off the band's 1965 album, Rubber Soul, has a pretty silly origin. According to Far Outmagazine, "Michelle," penned byPaul McCartney, is among "five classic songs that began life as a joke." The publication reported that McCartney explained that the tune "was like a joke French tune for when you go to a party or something" during a 1977 interview.

"That's all it was. And then after a while you say, ‘Well, that's quite a good tune. Let's put some real words to it,'" said the Wings frontman, as reported by Far Out magazine.

Paul McCartney Shared More Details About Writing 'Michelle' in a 1997 Interview

McCartney, now 83, shared some more details about the iconic tune during a 1997 interview with comedian Conan O'Brien. He explained that during his younger years, alongside his late bandmates,John Lennon and George Harrison, he would try to pretend he was from France while playing the guitar to impress women at parties.

"I used to sit around at parties, enigmatically, in a sort of black roll neck sweater. You know, hoping they would think I was a French person and would want me to go to bed with me," said McCartney.

The musician clarified that the ruse "never worked." In addition, he said that Lennon encouraged him "many, many years later" to finish the French-inspired party tune.

"John did say, 'You remember that smelly French song that you used to do?' He said, 'That wasn't bad. You should write some good words to that.' So I did," said McCartney in the 1997 interview.

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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 11:27 AM.