About the song
“Hey Jude,” a timeless anthem by The Beatles, was released as a non-album single in August 1968 and remains one of the most enduring tracks in rock history. Written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership, this iconic song marked the debut release on the Beatles’ Apple Records label, which was one of the label’s “First Four” singles. With its initial release, “Hey Jude” quickly soared to the top of the charts, achieving number one status in numerous countries including the UK, US, Australia, and Canada. It was particularly notable for its nine-week reign atop the Billboard Hot 100, a record it held for nearly a decade. The single’s widespread success is reflected in its sales, with approximately eight million copies sold, and it frequently appears on critics’ lists of the greatest songs of all time.
The song’s creation came at a tumultuous time for The Beatles. Originally penned as “Hey Jules” to comfort John Lennon’s young son Julian amid his parents’ separation, McCartney’s ballad evolved into “Hey Jude,” a title change he thought sounded better. The lyrics encourage a positive perspective on a difficult situation and urge “Jude” to seek out love and happiness. The song’s notable coda, with its extended “Na-na-na” refrain, spans over four minutes, showcasing a celebratory and communal spirit that contrasts with the band’s internal strife.
“Hey Jude” was the Beatles’ first song recorded using eight-track equipment at Trident Studios, reflecting their desire to innovate and push the boundaries of studio recording. This period of recording saw tensions within the band, including a notable dispute between McCartney and George Harrison over the song’s guitar arrangement. Despite these conflicts, the song’s production was a technical achievement and a testament to the band’s creative ambition.
At over seven minutes, “Hey Jude” was the longest single to top the British charts at that time. Its extended coda and arrangement set a precedent for future recordings and inspired numerous imitative works in the years that followed. The song’s impact was such that, in 2013, Billboard magazine named it the 10th “biggest” song of all time based on its chart success.
The song’s enduring appeal is also evident in McCartney’s continued performances of it in concert, particularly following John Lennon’s assassination in 1980. McCartney’s live renditions often feature audience participation in the song’s famous coda, maintaining its legacy as a symbol of unity and optimism. In the realm of music memorabilia, both Julian Lennon and McCartney have acquired items related to the song’s creation, underscoring its personal and historical significance.
“Hey Jude” transcends its origins, serving as a powerful example of The Beatles’ ability to transform personal experiences into universal messages of hope and encouragement. Its storied history, from its heartfelt inception to its global acclaim, cements it as a pillar of musical greatness.
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)