Meanings or stories behind the songs or lyrics
Post a favorite or two. 
= new reply since forum marked as read
The Story Behind 'Hey Jude,' 50 Years After Its Release
By Marilyn Schairer, WGBH News
August 24, 2018
Fifty years ago this month, America was in turmoil and looking to make things better.
On August 26, 1968, the same day that the Democratic National Convention opened, the Beatles released their mega-hit, “Hey Jude.” With its encouraging message, it offered reassurance to millions and became a musical unifier for people around the world.
Written by Paul McCartney with input from John Lennon, “Hey Jude” is one of the most recognized songs in rock and roll history.
Chachi Loprete, Beatles aficionado and long-time host of the Boston-based radio show "Breakfast with the Beatles," says McCartney wrote the song for John and Cynthia Lennon’s son, Julian, who was upset about his parents' divorce, after Lennon had a public affair with Yoko Ono.
“He wanted to write a song to Julian to give him some uplifting moments of hope that things weren’t so bad, that life will get better,” says Loprete.
Loprete says John Lennon thought the song was about him, telling him, “You can leave Cynthia, and you can go marry Yoko.”
But the song was about Lennon’s son, and it was originally called "Hey Jules," says Loprete. That didn't work well musically, so McCartney changed it to Jude, and the name stuck. "Hey Jude" was the first record released on the Beatles' own label, Apple Records. It sold five million copies in the first six months of its release and became the number one song in 12 countries.
The song’s length is unusual — it goes on for 7 minutes and 11 seconds. After the fourth verse, it shifts to a fade-out coda that lasts four minutes.
“It’s of an epic length," says David Gallant, who teaches a course on the Beatles at Suffolk University. "It helped it make its mark. It gives you time to get into it.”
Initially, band-mates wanted to make musical changes, but McCartney stood his ground.
“Paul felt one line didn’t make sense: 'The movement you need is on your shoulders,'" says Loprete. “And John says, 'No, you’re going to use that line. That’s the best line in the song.'”
Lennon is often quoted as saying that "Hey Jude" is one of McCartney's "masterpieces." And Lennon thought that the song was about him is an example of the song's universality. Though written for one person, it resonates broadly.
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
Na-na-na, na, na
Na-na-na, na
Hey Jude, don't let me down
You have found her, now go and get her (let it out and let it in)
Remember to let her into your heart (hey Jude)
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
Na-na-na, na, na
Na-na-na, na, yeah
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, ah!
Na, na, na, na-na-na na (yeah! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Na-na-na na, hey Jude
Na, na, na, na-na-na na
Na-na-na na, hey Jude...
