“Hey Jude” could be read as words of comfort for a broken heart or encouragement to a friend who’s about to take a big leap into love.

Paul Wanted to Cheer Up John’s Son

“Hey Jude” is among the most instantly recognizable songs from one of the world’s most famous bands. But some of even the most hardcore Beatles fans have no clue how the song came to be.

The original title was “Hey Jules” because Paul McCartney wrote it for Julian Lennon, the son of John Lennon. He later stated that he changed the name to Jude because it flowed better lyrically. The most widely accepted story is that Paul wrote the song to provide some solace to the young boy when his parents, John and Cynthia Lennon, were caught up in their divorce.

At more than seven minutes in length, Beatles’ producer George Martin voiced his concern that radio stations wouldn’t play it. It’s worth noting that four of those seven minutes are comprised of the “Na, na, na, na, na, na, na” outro.

But in classic Beatles fashion and with his signature Lennon audacity, John insisted it would be a problem. Lennon was confident that their popularity and reputation would be enough to sway radio DJs over the track’s lengthy nature, and he wasn’t wrong.

John Thought He Meant, “Go for It”

If Paul truly did write the song for Julian, this meaning may have been lost on Lennon. John’s interpretation of the gesture was that Paul supported the divorce and approved of his new life with Yoko.

The magical mystery remains as to which story is true or if it’s some combination of the two. The Beatles were notorious for giving tongue-in-cheek answers when the media questioned them about their lyrics, and both John and Paul have claimed that it was written about each other. Paul may have written the song about himself when he was dealing with the end of his relationship with Jane Asher.

A Duality of Meaning

Many of the lyrics could be interpreted as words of comfort to a distraught child dealing with an uncertain situation. At the same time, they could read as encouragement for a friend to let love into their life again and embrace a new relationship.

The resultant words of wisdom contain advice that anyone could reap value from. The overall message is that this is your moment, so take it easy and try not to worry too much.

This is particularly seen in the second verse:

“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”

In the third verse, seeming to favor the romantic aspect of the meaning, we hear:

“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”

In the bridge, Paul sings:

“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”

No matter who the true subject of the song is, it can be said that both John and Paul found someone to perform with: Yoko Ono and Linda Eastman respectively. While both couples went on to make music together, the line could be taken metaphorically as a reference to the day-to-day performance of married life.

Paul’s explanation of the final line of the bridge is that you’re always close to who you need to be. Another interpretation could be the changes you need to make in your life exist within your mind.

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)

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: John Lennon / Paul McCartney

Hey Jude lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC