What does Hey Jude mean?

Beatles: Hey Jude Meaning

Album cover for Hey Jude album cover

Song Released: 1968


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Hey Jude 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...

  1. anonymous
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    Oct 11th 2007 !⃝

    This song was written for Julian Lennon (son of John Lennon) by Paul McCartney when John deserted his wife & young son for Yoko Ono. Paul was close to Julian. Out of concern, during the amidst of John's divorce, Paul went to visit Cynthia & Julian Lennon. It was during the drive to/from that visit when Paul began to compose the lyrics & score to the song. Yes, as many of you have said the original title was "Hey Jules" but Paul later changed it, as it was easier for many reasons. John never knew whom the song was written about, but arrogantly assumed it was for/about him. He believed Paul was encouraging his relationship w/Yoko. In fact, at one point, after being pressured by Lennon to "admit" that the song was about Lennon, Paul defiantly told John that the song was about himself (Paul). It was not until 1986 during chance encounter at a hotel did Paul confirm to Julian Lennon that the song was indeed written for Julian.
    He also offered the above explanation on what inspired him to write the song. (the visit during divorce) As for the meaning of the lyrics to Julian…there is only one man who can offer you a true explanation!

  2. anonymous
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    Sep 9th 2007 !⃝

    It's about St. Jude, and how if you worship her, everything will be o.k. and they want you to like the song and worship the wrong god...gezz its not that hard, the Beatles even said it themselves.

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
  3. anonymous
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    Sep 2nd 2007 !⃝

    Paul McCartney had to change the song title because whilst John Lennon liked the song, he didn't want anyone knowing the song was about him and his son and Yoko Ono (understandably).

  4. anonymous
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    Sep 1st 2007 !⃝

    Has anyone here read the book "Jude the Obscure" by Thomas Hardy? Its a bit of a classic but given the nature of the song and the nature of the book, anyone who reads the book would have trouble not seeing distinct parallels between it and the song.

  5. anonymous
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    Aug 18th 2007 !⃝

    There are no secret meanings, hello, they wrote things that sounded good, no hidden agendas, no deep messages, no philosophical bents... They made money...lots and lots of money and laughed all the way to the bank

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
  6. anonymous
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    Jul 25th 2007 !⃝

    It is about heroin. Whoever thinks it isn't and that The Beatles weren't on drugs, is apparently not a fan and knows nothing about the Beatles.

    These back and forth arguments are idiotic.

    thanksbye.

  7. anonymous
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    Jul 10th 2007 !⃝

    I do not think that the song refers to heroin in the second verse where it says "her". Then the verse would be

    Hey, Jude, don't be afraid
    You were made to go out and get heroin
    The minute you let heroin under your skin
    Then you begin to make it better.

    That would be good if Paul McCartney was comedian, however he is not.

    To me, and to most others the song is about the divorce between the Lennon's and telling the son everything will be okay basically.

  8. RoyaleWCheez
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    Jul 4th 2007 !⃝

    I have heard, and I feel this is pretty accurate, that Paul wrote this song for John's first son, Julian, who was pretty much overlooked by John and played second priority to Sean, John and Yoko's son. And this was a heartfelt song from Paul to Julian (Jude). Which to me, makes it that much more meaningful that Paul would write an entire hit song dedicated to a talented and somewhat negleted first born. When I heard this and listened to the words again, it gave the song (and Paul's compasion) a whole new meaning.

  9. anonymous
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    Jul 2nd 2007 !⃝

    It's not about Jude Law. C'mon. It's about Judaic Law. What could be clearer?

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
  10. anonymous
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    Jun 4th 2007 !⃝

    It's just ridiculous that all of you would completely throw out the heroin theory. I'm not saying I think it's right, but you can't just think it's stupid because it would ruin the song for you. It could be about anything, only the Beatles know.

  11. anonymous
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    May 27th 2007 !⃝

    I don't see how anyone can say this song is about drugs..Paul wanted to comfort Johns first wife and son after their split..

  12. anonymous
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    May 22nd 2007 !⃝

    Whoever said that Cynthia Lennon was John Lennon's sister, you're wrong. She WAS his wife.

    And to all the others in here:
    Well, I've heard that the song was written by Paul for John's son Julian, and that's what I think too.

    And it REALLY annoys me that so many people always say that a lot of the Beatles' songs were about drugs. Some of them may be about drugs, but I absolutely don't think this one is about drugs. I just doesn't make any sense to me!

  13. anonymous
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    May 12th 2007 !⃝

    Paul has said in the Anthology that he wrote it for Julian. He was in his mind talking to Jules "hey Jules, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better" meaning it will all be alright. "Jules" turned out to be a mouthful so he changed it to "Jude"

    Paul's least favorite line "the movement you need is on your shoulder" was John's favorite line.

    Boo :)

  14. anonymous
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    May 3rd 2007 !⃝

    Hey Jude is about Lennon's son Julian, but people can interpret songs any way they want to.

    Just my opinion

  15. anonymous
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    Apr 28th 2007 !⃝

    For the record Cynthia Lennon is John Lennon's sister, not his wife!

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway



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