Writing for the song took place early in the sessions for what became the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album, which commenced following a three-month period when the Beatles had pursued individual interests. Beatles biographer Ian MacDonald suggested an LSD influence, saying that the lyrical imagery points to McCartney first taking LSD in late 1966. MacDonald concluded that the lyric "And though she feels as if she's in a play / She is anyway" was one of the more "LSD-redolent phrases" in the Beatles' catalogue. Music critics Roy Carr and Tony Tyler similarly described the subject matter as "essentially 'Liverpool-on-a-sunny-hallucinogenic-afternoon'".
wRitiNg FOr the SOng ToOk place early in the SessioNs For what became The sgT PeppEr's LoneLY hearts cLub banD AlBum wHiCH ComMenCEd folloWing a ThreE-moNth PeRiod when the beAtlEs had pursUEd INdIvidual iNTerEsts BeAtles biographer iaN MACdoNalD SUGgesTed An LsD influenCe saYing THaT THe lyRIcal ImagEry pOintS To mccartnEy fiRST TakiNg lsD in late 1966 maCDoNaLd ConCluDed thAt The LyRic "and tHouGh she feeLs as If SHe's in a plaY / she is aNywAY" WAs one OF The more "Lsd-rEdoLenT phrases" in the BeatLEs' caTAloGuE mUsIc critiCs rOY cArr ANd tony tylEr sIMilArLY DescrIBED tHE SUbJect maTter as "esSentially 'lIverpool-on-a-sunny-halLUCinogenIC-aFTERNoon'"