Hey Jude
St. Martin's Orchestral Academy Of Los Angeles Lyrics
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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
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
This classic song by The Beatles poses as a message of comfort, encouragement, and love to a close friend called Jude who is going through a rough patch in his relationship. The lyrics use an empathetic tone, urging Jude to take a sad song and make it better, and hinting that he alone has the power to improve his situation by letting his lover back into his heart. It emphasizes the importance of looking forward while releasing past pain, and not letting the weight of the world take control of one's life.
The song starts with the two lines, "Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better," portraying hope in a bleak situation by reminding the listener that things can get better with effort. Then, it explains that the best way to start the healing process is by letting his lost love back into his heart, and only then can he make things better. The verses with the lyrics, "And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders," indicate that the process of moving on can be painful, but it's necessary to let go of the past to make things better. The chorus thereafter repeats, emphasizing that Jude has found his true love and can make things better by opening his heart to her.
Interestingly, the song's title wasn't initially intended to be "Hey Jude;" instead, it started as "Hey Jules." Paul McCartney originally penned it to comfort John Lennon's son Julian during his parents' divorce. "Hey Jules" became "Hey Jude" upon realizing that it had a better ring to it. The song's piano outro that alternates between F and C chords was inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and was added during the song's arrangement phase. Additionally, the iconic "na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na" chorus wasn't initially planned in the song, but McCartney improvised it while recording the song in the studio.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Hey Jude, don't worsen the situation
Take a sad song and make it better
Turn a sorrowful song into a happier one
Remember to let her into your heart
Don't forget to open up to love
Then you can start to make it better
Only then can you begin to improve the situation
Hey Jude, don't be afraid
Hey Jude, don't let fear hold you back
You were made to go out and get her
You were meant to pursue and win her over
The minute you let her under your skin
As soon as you let her get close to you
Then you begin to make it better
Only then can you start improving the situation
And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
Whenever you're in pain, hold back, hey Jude
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
Don't let the weight of the world overcome you
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
It's unwise to pretend as if everything is under control
By making his world a little colder
By pushing others away and isolating oneself
Hey Jude, don't let me down
Hey Jude, don't disappoint me
You have found her, now go and get her
Now that you've located her, act on your feelings for her
So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin
Express yourself, and allow others to express themselves too
You're waiting for someone to perform with
You're looking for someone to connect with
And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do
Realize that you can do it alone, hey Jude
The movement you need is on your shoulder
The ability to bring positive change is within you
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Hey Jude, don't make the situation worse
Take a sad song and make it better
Transform sadness into joy and hope
Remember to let her under your skin
Don't keep her at arm's length, let her get close to you
Then you'll begin to make it
Only then will you start making it
Better better better better better better, oh
Keep striving for improvement, oh
Na na na nananana, nannana, hey Jude
Na na na, keep going, hey Jude
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind