"Hey Jude" is a song written by Paul McCartney of The Beatles, credited to Lennon/McCartney. The purpose of "Hey Jude" (originally known as "Hey Jules") was to comfort Julian Lennon (aka "Jules") about his parents' divorce (John and Cynthia Lennon), It went to number one on the Billboard hits and also comforted Julian. "Hey Jude" came on a two-sided single, along with the song "Revolution".
Lyrics[]
Bolded lyrics were removed in the LOVE version
and underlined ones are lyrics added in the LOVE version
[Verse 1]
Hey, Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
[Verse 2]
Hey, Jude, don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better
[Chorus]
And anytime you feel the pain,
Hey, Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it's a fool
Who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder
Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah
[Verse 3]
Hey, Jude, don't let me down
You have found her, now go and get her (Let it out and let it in)
Remember (hey Jude) to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better (better, better, better, better, better... oh!)
[Chorus]
So let it out and let it in,
Hey, Jude, begin
You're waiting for someone to perform with
And don't you know that it's just you,
Hey, Jude, you'll do
The movement you need is on your shoulder
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah yeah
[Verse 4]
Hey, Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her under your skin
Then you'll begin to make it (Woah! F***ing hell!)
better, better, better, better, better... oh!
[Outro]
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude (Jude)
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude (don't make it bad, Jude)
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude (take a sad song and make it better)
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude (oh, Jude)
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude (Jude, hey, Jude, whoa)
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude (ooh)
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude (hey, hey, hey, hey-a-hey Jude!)
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude
Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,
Hey, Jude
Meaning of Lyrics[]
The song's lyrics are about someone encouraging a man named Jude to go after a woman by saying things like "don't be afraid" and "you have found her, now go and get her". The song ends with the band yelling "Na Na Na" as the song slowly fades off.
Paul McCartney originally wanted to call the song "Hey Jules", but decided to change some letters around in the name "Jules" to form "Hey Jude" to draw attention away from John Lennon's son Julian, who the song was written for.
The infamous "Woah! F***ing hell!" was spoken by John Lennon when one of the guitar strings clipped and got a little angry.
Composition[]
The song was written by Paul McCartney, in an attempt to soothe Julian Lennon, John Lennon's son, after his father and mother, John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia, were having a divorce. "Revolution" was released as its B-side. It is also said that John originally misunderstood the song and thought that it was Paul telling John that he supported his relationship with Yoko.
Recording[]
"Hey Jude" was recorded at Trident Studios from the 29th to 31st of July and the 1st of August.
Credits[]
- Paul McCartney - Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar (1968 Fender Jazz Bass) or (1964 Rickenbacker 4001S), Piano (Bechstein #44064 Grand)
- John Lennon - Acoustic Guitar (1964 Gibson J-160E), Harmony and Backing Vocals
- George Harrison - Lead Guitar (1964 Gibson SG) or (1961 Fender Sonic Blue Stratocaster, painted psychedelic), Backing Vocals
- Ringo Starr - Drums (1964 Ludwig Super Classic Black Oyster Pearl), Tambourine, Backing Vocals
- Uncredited 36-piece orchestra – 10 violins, three violas, three cellos, two double basses, two flutes, two clarinets, one bass clarinet, one bassoon, one contrabassoon, four trumpets, two horns, four trombones, and one percussion instrument; 35 of these musicians on additional backing vocals and handclaps.
Behind the scenes[]
- Actor River Jude Phoenix (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was given his middle name because of this song.
- In November 2015, viewers of UK TV channel ITV voted this song their all-time Beatles number 1, in the show The Nation's Favourite Beatles Number 1.