About the song
“Hey Jude,” a timeless anthem by the legendary British rock band The Beatles, stands as a testament to both its era and enduring musical legacy. Released in August 1968 as a non-album single under the Apple record label, it marked a pivotal moment not just for the band but also for the music industry as a whole.
Penned by Paul McCartney and credited to the iconic Lennon-McCartney duo, “Hey Jude” swiftly ascended to the summits of global music charts, clinching the number-one spot in numerous countries. In the United States, its nine-week reign atop the Billboard Hot 100 tied records and set new standards in popularity. This extraordinary success was mirrored across the UK, Australia, and Canada, where it dominated the charts and emerged as the best-selling single of the year.
The genesis of “Hey Jude” was deeply rooted in personal and professional turmoil within the Beatles. Originally titled “Hey Jules,” McCartney composed the song to comfort Julian Lennon during his parents’ separation. John Lennon’s departure from his wife Cynthia for Yoko Ono added layers of emotional depth to the lyrics, urging young Julian to embrace hope and pursue love amidst difficult times.
The recording sessions at Trident Studios in London marked a technological leap for the band, utilizing the latest eight-track recording equipment. However, creative tensions surfaced during production, notably between McCartney and George Harrison over the song’s guitar arrangement. Ringo Starr briefly parted ways with the group before rejoining for the filming of the song’s promotional video, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg and notably featured on David Frost’s television program.
At over seven minutes long, “Hey Jude” challenged the conventions of radio-friendly singles with its expansive structure and memorable extended coda punctuated by the infectious “Na-na-na na” refrain. Its revolutionary approach influenced a wave of musical experimentation throughout the early 1970s, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone.
Decades after its release, “Hey Jude” continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Recognized by music critics and industry figures alike as one of the greatest songs ever recorded, its enduring appeal underscores McCartney’s ongoing performances of the song in tribute to Lennon and its lasting impact on popular music history. From its humble origins as a comforting lullaby to Julian Lennon to its place as a global anthem of hope and unity, “Hey Jude” remains a masterpiece that transcends generations.
Video
Lyrics
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.
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.
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.
Hey Jude, don’t let me down.
You have found her, now go and get her.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.
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.
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
Better better better better better better, oh.
Na na na nananana, nannana, hey Jude…
(repeat X number of times, fade)