After entertaining British troops alongside fellow child stars Julie Andrews and Anthony Newley, Clark made her film debut with A Medal for the General in 1944. By the dawn of the '50s she was a superstar throughout the U.K., with a résumé of close to two-dozen films; 1954's "The Little Shoemaker" was her first Top 20 single, while 1960's "Sailor" was her first chart-topper. Still, Clark struggled with her inability to shed her adolescent image. After selling over a million copies of 1961's "Romeo," she married and relocated to France, establishing a strong fan base there on the strength of hits including "Ya-Ya Twist," "Chariot," and "Monsieur," which spotlighted a new, more sophisticated pop sound anchored by her crystalline vocals.
Riding the wave of the British Invasion, Clark was finally able to penetrate the U.S. market in 1964 with the Grammy-winning "Downtown," the first single by a British woman ever to reach number one on the American pop charts. It was also the first in a series of American Top Ten hits (most written and arranged by Tony Hatch) which also included 1965's "I Know a Place" and 1966's "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love," and the number one smash "My Love." At the same time, she remained a huge star throughout Europe, topping the British charts in 1967 with "This Is My Song," taken from the film A Countess from Hong Kong. In addition to hosting her own BBC series, she also starred in the 1968 NBC television special Petula, which triggered controversy when sponsors requested that a segment with guest Harry Belafonte be cut in deference to Southern affiliates; ultimately, the show aired in its intended form.
As the '60s drew to a close, Clark's commercial stature slipped, although singles like "Don't Sleep on the Subway," "The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener," and "Kiss Me Goodbye" still charted on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1968, she revived her film career by starring in Finian's Rainbow, followed a year later by Goodbye, Mr. Chips. In later years, Clark focused primarily on international touring, headlining the 1981 London revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music; after starring in the 1990 musical Someone Like You, which she also co-wrote, she made her Broadway debut in Blood Brothers in 1993. Additionally, in 1988, an acid-house remix of "Downtown" reached the U.K. Top Ten, another honor for the female singer awarded the most gold records in British pop history.
Hey Jude
Pétula Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
Da da da da da da, da da da, hey Jude...
The song "Hey Jude" by Petula Clark is a heartfelt message to Jude, a person struggling with life's hardships. The verse "Hey Jude, don't make it bad" is a plea for Jude to not be overwhelmed by his troubles. The lyric "Take a sad song and make it better" serves as a reminder that even though the situation might seem bleak, one can always find a way to make it better. Petula Clark then urges Jude to open his heart to someone who can help him, offering words of encouragement that when Jude lets someone in, he will begin to make things better.
The chorus of the song provides a sound piece of advice. If Jude ever feels overwhelmed by pain, he should refrain from carrying the weight of the world on his shoulder. The line "Don't carry the world upon your shoulders" is an homage to the fact that sometimes we can't carry on with life as it comes; we need to let go of some things to find the courage to carry on. The song emphasizes the importance of taking a chance on love, by letting the girl into his heart, Jude can make it better.
Overall, "Hey Jude" is about perseverance and focusing on the positives in life. It tells the story of a friend who is struggling and is a gentle reminder that even though things might be hard, there is always hope for a better future if one opens their heart, minds, and soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Jude, don't make it bad.
Don't dwell on negative things, Hey Jude.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Improve the situation, Hey Jude.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Allow someone close to you, Hey Jude.
Then you can start to make it better.
Begin the process of improvement, Hey Jude.
Hey Jude, don't be afraid.
Don't be scared, Hey Jude.
You were made to go out and get her.
Pursue who you want, Hey Jude.
The minute you let her under your skin,
Once you have an emotional connection, Hey Jude.
Then you begin to make it better.
Improvement will follow, Hey Jude.
And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain,
When you are hurt, hold back, Hey Jude.
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders.
Don't bear all the burdens, Hey Jude.
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
It's unwise to pretend everything's fine, Hey Jude.
By making his world a little colder.
By distancing oneself, Hey Jude.
Hey Jude, don't let me down.
Don't disappoint me, Hey Jude.
You have found her, now go and get her.
Pursue the woman you have found, Hey Jude.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Open up emotionally, Hey Jude.
Then you can start to make it better.
The improvement process can begin, Hey Jude.
So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin,
Express your emotions and start the process, Hey Jude.
You're waiting for someone to perform with.
Waiting for a partner, Hey Jude.
And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do,
You can go it alone, Hey Jude.
The movement you need is on your shoulder.
You have the power to make things better, Hey Jude.
Hey Jude, don't make it bad.
Don't focus on the negative, Hey Jude.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Improve things despite the sadness, Hey Jude.
Remember to let her under your skin,
Open yourself up emotionally, Hey Jude.
Then you'll begin to make it better better better better better better, oh.
Then you will see great improvement, Hey Jude.
Da da da da da da, da da da, hey Jude...
Instrumental outro.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind