"Julia" was written for John's mother Julia Lennon (1914-1958), who was knocked down and killed by a car driven by an off-duty police officer when John was still only 17 years old. It was also written for his future wife Yoko Ono, whose first name, which literally means "child of the sea" in Japanese, is echoed in lyrics such as "Oceanchild, calls me." An alternative theory suggests that the song was written for Julian Lennon, John's son.
The first two lines of the song – "Half of what I say is meaningless/ But I say it just to reach you, Julia" – were adapted from the poem "Sand and Foam," by the Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran. The original line is: "Half of what I say is meaningless; but I say it so that the other half may reach you." The line, "When I cannot sing my heart/I can only speak my mind" is taken from the line, "When life does not find a singer to sing her heart she produces a philosopher to speak her mind," from the same work.
Other versions
"Julia" has been covered by Ramsey Lewis, Bongwater, Chocolate Genius, Baptiste Trotignon, Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood, and John's and Yoko's son, Sean Lennon. Sean performed the song live on October 2, 2001 at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, as part of the Come Together – A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music concert special.
On the Love album, "Julia" is mixed with Eleanor Rigby, sounds of children playing from what sounds like the World Wildlife Foundation album version of "Across the Universe", the cello from "A Day In The Life", and the screaming ambulance from "Revolution 9", as well as the radio tuning from "I Am the Walrus."
According to record producer Butch Vig, "Julia" was sometimes played by Kurt Cobain at Nirvana recording sessions in 1991.
Julia
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I say it just to reach you, Julia
Julia, Julia
Ocean child calls me
So I sing a song of love
Julia
Windy smile calls me
So I sing a song of love
Julia
Her hair of floating sky is shimmering
Glimmering in the sun
Julia, Julia
Morning moon, touch me
So I sing a song of love
Julia
When I cannot sing my heart
I can only speak my mind, Julia
Julia, sleeping sand
Silent cloud, touch me
So I sing a song of love
Julia
Hmm-hmm-hmm
Calls me
So I sing a song of love
For Julia
Julia
Julia
The Beatles’ song “Julia” is a deeply personal and introspective piece, penned by John Lennon as an ode to his late mother Julia Lennon, who died in a tragic car accident when he was just a teenager. The song is a tribute to the profound impact his mother had on his life, and the sense of loss and longing he continued to feel for her many years after her passing.
The opening lines, “Half of what I say is meaningless, but I say it just to reach you, Julia”, reflect Lennon’s frustration with the limitations of language to express the depth of his emotions for his mother. He acknowledges that he may struggle to articulate his feelings, but still feels compelled to try, in order to connect with her on some level. The recurring refrain of “So I sing a song of love, Julia” serves as a kind of mantra, expressing Lennon’s desire to reach out to his mother through the power of music, which he felt was a universal language that transcended the barriers of time and space.
The visual imagery of the lyrics adds an ethereal quality to the song, underscoring the mystical connection Lennon felt with his mother. He describes her as an “ocean child” with “seashell eyes” and a “windy smile”, evoking a sense of her free-spirited nature and the joy she brought to his life. The use of natural motifs such as the “morning moon”, “floating sky”, and “silent cloud” further emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, and the idea that even after death, his mother was still present in the natural world around him.
Overall, “Julia” is a deeply moving tribute to the enduring bond between mother and son, and the ways in which love can transcend even the boundaries of life and death.
Line by Line Meaning
Half of what I say is meaningless
I speak of many things, but only half of it has a real meaning. However, I say them to reach you, Julia.
But I say it just to reach you, Julia
The things I say may not always have profound meanings, but I still express them because I hope they will reach you, Julia.
Julia, Julia
I am addressing you, Julia, twice to emphasize your importance and my connection to you.
Ocean child calls me
I feel a deep connection with the ocean like a child, and it calls me to be closer to nature.
So I sing a song of love
To express my love and emotions, I sing a song with a melody that connects me to the universe.
Julia
Repeating your name reminds me of our bond and connection.
Julia, seashell eyes
Your eyes remind me of the seashell, with their unique shape and colors binding me to nature.
Windy smile calls me
Your beautiful and gentle smile feels like a gentle breeze that calls me to love and admire you more.
Her hair of floating sky is shimmering
Your hair is like the sky above me, carefree and floating with its beautiful shimmering colors in the sun.
Glimmering in the sun
Your hair reflects the sunlight, and they together form a beautiful and magical sight.
Morning moon, touch me
The moon in the morning reminds me of you and touches my soul with its beauty and radiance.
When I cannot sing my heart
Sometimes, words may fall short in expressing what I truly feel in my heart.
I can only speak my mind, Julia
At times, the only way I can express my feelings to you is by speaking my thoughts, which may not be as powerful as my heart's true desires.
Julia, sleeping sand
You feel like the soft and warm sand on the beach, where I can rest and relax in your love.
Silent cloud, touch me
The cloud's silence reminded me of your subtle presence as though you are watching me, and it touches my soul.
Hmm-hmm-hmm
An interlude of humming, indicating my deep inexpressible emotions.
Calls me
I feel the urge to communicate with you, to express how much you mean to me.
So I sing a song of love
Once again, I sing a song of love to express my desires and connection with you, Julia.
For Julia
The song is dedicated to you, Julia, for whom I feel immense love and affection.
Julia, Julia
The song ends with the repetition of your name, which indicates my deep attachment to you, and I wish always to be connected to you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
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A really great Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
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on When I'm Sixty-Four
A very tuneful Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
An excellent Beatles song.
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on I'm Looking Through You
A beautiful Beatles song.
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on Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Honestly The Beatles can't stop producing good songs.
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on Michelle
A fantastic Beatles song and absolutely beautiful.