Was Paul Really Dead?

The answer of course is no. But, the "Paul Is Dead" rumour turned out to be one of the most famous rumours in the sixties. Who would have thought that such a ridiculous rumour could have exploded into the history it made. There have been many stories, but the most familiar one to me was that Paul McCartney was killed at 5 A.M. in the morning in a car accident. The cause of death was said to be the massive head injury he sustained during the accident. The morning paper supposedly came out with an article the same day on the fatality, but it was said that the article was immediately censored. Even though Paul's death had seemed so ridiculous, many people started to believe that the bassist had deceased. It also might have been that the Beatles were so sneaky in their hidden messages through their album covers and songs that made people believe that Paul really was dead.

Who Was William Campbell?

Here's the story as I have heard it- One day a Paul McCartney look-alike contest was held. William Campbell won the contest and it was mythed that he was allowed to sit in for Paul during photo shoots.
Myth- There is a picture of him in the White Album in the lower left-hand corner. (The man with the mustache and glasses)
Reality- That was in fact Paul McCartney in the picture. (There's nothing more to say)

Here Is A Discography Of Albums That Can Be Interpreted As To Having A "Paul Is Dead" Influence

Rubber Soul:

Myth- The title "Rubber Soul", is the shape of an upside-down heart, or having a "false soul" amongst them. Also The Beatles are looking down as if to a grave.
Reality- There was no intention to have anything about Paul dying in that album. It was just interpreted that way.

Rubber Soul(lyrics)

*Girl-"..that a man must break his back to earn his day of leisure, will she still believe him when he's dead..." (possibly Jane Asher?)
*I'm Looking Through You-"... I'am looking through you, where did you go? I thought I knew you, what did I know. You don't look different but you have changed, I'm looking through you, you're not the same.." & "...You're lips are moving, I can not hear, you don't sound different I've learned the game..." & "...you were above me but not today, the only difference is you're down there..." & "...You've changed, you've changed, you've changed..."
*In My Life- "..all these places have there moments... some are dead and some are living"

*Nowhere Man- "...He's a real nowhere man..." & "...doesn't have a point of view, knows not where he's going to..."

Revolver:

This is the first album that shows a palm over Paul's head. It shows that a person has departed from this world. Also, the other Beatles' heads are forward and Paul's is to the side. (Showing he's aside from them)

Revolver(lyrics)

Eleanor Rigby- (Father McKenzie was going to be called Father McCartney but the Beatles did not want to refer to Paul's dad in that way.) "Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave, no one was saved." & "was buried"
She Said She Said- ".. she said I know what's like to be dead."
And Your Bird Can Sing- "... you can't see me, you can't see me." & "you can't hear me, you can't hear me."
Taxman- "... if you drive a car (Paul was driving a car)" & "... if you get too cold (Paul again!)" & "... my advice to those who die - taxman" (taxidermist?)
For No One- "... she says that long ago she knew some one, but now he's gone" & "... she says her love id dead."
Tommorow Never Knows- "... laid down all thoughts, surrendered to the void" & "... play the game existance to the end."
Dr. Robert- "... you're a new and better man." & "he does everything he can, Dr. Robert." (Did everything he could to save Paul)
Got To Get You Into My Life- "... I was alone, I took a ride, I didn't know what I would find there." & "... and then suddenly I see you." (The meter maid)

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band:

This is most questioning "Paul Is Dead" albums of all. The cover alone has many secrets and hidden messages. For example, there is another palm over Paul's head. There is a left-handed bass guitar with three sticks upon it possibly resembling the remaining Beatles. Also if you look closely you might see that the flowers spell out "Paul." A doll sits to the right with red blood lines running down the dress. (Jane Asher???) A small car sits in her lap, resembling the car Paul was driving when he was killed. On the back, Paul is facing backwards and there are some coincidental lyrics floating through his head. "... life flows on within you and without you." Inside, Paul seems to be wearing a patch that say "O.P.D.", which in Canada means "Officially Pronounced Dead." Also the vinyl record looks to be drenched in blood. At the bottom it's bright red but gets pinkish as you follow it up.

Sgt. Pepper(lyrics)

Fixing A Hole- "... and it really doesn't matter if I'm wrong I'm right where I belong. See the Beatles standing there, they disagree." & "... silly Beatle run around, they worry me."
She's Leaving Home- "... Wednesday morning at five o' clock as the day begins." (the time of accident)
Lovely Rita- "... standing by a parking meter when I caught a glimpse of Rita.." (caught a glimpse of her and took his eyes off the road)
Good Morning, Good Morning- ".. nothing to do to save his life.." & "... and you're on your own you're in the street.." & "... people running around it's 5 o'clock.." & "... watching the skirts you start to flirt, now you're in gear.."
*A Day In The Life- "... I saw the photograph. He blew his mind out in a car, he didn't notice that the lights had changed. A crowd of people stood and stared. They'd seen his face before."

Magical Mystery Tour:

Paul was the black walrus on the cover. the walrus is the sign of death in some cultures.The word "BEATLES" when held to a mirror is a phone number. The number was 231-7438. The number would give callers clues about the death of Paul. Also, in the movie Paul was a general in one scene and in front of his desk were the words, "I Was."

Magical Mystery Tour(lyrics)

*The Fool On The Hill- "... day after day, alone on a hill, the man with the foolish grin is keeping perfectly still..." "but nobody ever hears him, or the sound he appears to make..." (he's dead)

*Hello Goodbye- "... you say goodbye, and I say hello..." (bye, bye, Paul-enter William)

*Strawberry Fields Forever- "... I buried Paul" (actually "cranberry bowl" said by John)

Click The Speaker To Hear The Message At The End Of "I Am The Walrus" ("Ha, Ha, Ha, Paul Is Dead")

White Album:

There is a picture of Paul in the bathtub covered in what appears to be blood and he's holding the back of his head. (He died of head injuries)

White Album(lyrics)

*Glass Onion- "... well here's another place you can go..." "... to see how the other half live..." "... well here's another clue for you all, the walrus *was* Paul"

*I'm So Tired- "... Paul is dead now miss him, miss him, miss him." (heard at end of song when played backwards)

Click The Speaker To Here The End Of "I'm So Tired" Backwards

*Revolution #9- "... his voice was low and his eye was high and his eyes were closed." "... maybe even dead." "... turn me on dead man" (number 9 played backwards)

Click The Speaker To Here "Number 9" Backwards

Yellow Submarine:

An open palm is over Paul's head again.

Yellow Submarine(lyics)

*Hey Bulldog- "... you think you know me but you haven't got a clue."

*Only A Northern Song- "... when you're listening late at night you may think the band is not quite right."

Abbey Road:

The cover shows the Beatles on Abbey Road. John is in white, like a preacher. Ringo is dressed like a pallbearer. Paul, is out of step, barefoot, and the only one holding a cigarette in his right hand. He is left-handed. He is obviously pictured as a corpse. George is also dressed as a gravedigger. A far off license plate says "28if." At the time, Paul would have been 28 (if he had survived.) On the back, the word "Beatles" is broken and a woman is seen walking by. (RITA?) A group of holes also form the number 3.

Abbey Road(lyrics)

*Come Together- "... he said, I know you, you know me." "... he say one and one and one is three, got to be good looking cause he's so hard to see."

*You Never Give Me Your Money- "... 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, all good children go to heaven."

Let It Be:

Paul is the only picture without a white background.

Let It Be(lyrics)

*Two Of Us- "... We're on our way home" (Home is oftened in reference to heaven)

As you all know, Paul McCartney never was dead, but the way the Beatles may have manipulated and played with the rumour made everyone wonder. Was Paul dead? This has been a report by Pastmaster27. To return to my front page, click the submarine below.