Hey Jude
Various Artists Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

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

Overall Meaning

The song "Hey Jude" by The Beatles, which was released in 1968, is one of their most famous and beloved songs. The song starts with the singer addressing someone named Jude and asking them not to be saddened by their current situation. The lyrics encourage Jude to take a sad song and turn it around to make it better. The lyrics also advise Jude to allow someone into their heart and life to start feeling better. The line "the movement you need is on your shoulders" means that Jude has the power to change his situation, and he doesn't have to wait for anyone else.


The song is quite long, and it even has a long outro that repeats the famous "na na na na-na-na-na" melody. Paul McCartney wrote the song specifically for John Lennon's son Julian after his parents' divorce. The original title of the song was "Hey Jules," but McCartney later changed it to "Hey Jude" because it sounded better. The song was written during a time of political and social unrest, and McCartney was trying to provide a message of hope and optimism during this period of turmoil. The song became instantly popular and was later covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Wilson Pickett.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Hey Jude, please don't worsen the situation


Take a sad song and make it better
Use a heartbreaking song as the foundation to create something beautiful


Remember to let her into your heart
Allow her to be a part of your life and emotions


Then you can start to make it better
Only when you let her in, can you begin to fix the situation


Hey Jude, don't be afraid
Don't let fear hold you back


You were made to go out and get her
You were destined to pursue her with purpose and determination


The minute you let her under your skin
As soon as she becomes a part of you, you can start to heal


Then you begin to make it better
Only then can you start to fix the situation


And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
When the hurt becomes too much, hold back from reacting impulsively


Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
Don't let the weight of the world bring you down


For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
You know that it's unwise to pretend everything is fine when it's not


By making his world a little colder
By ignoring the pain, you risk making things worse


Hey Jude, don't let me down
Don't disappoint me after finding the courage to pursue her


You have found her, now go and get her
After finding her, go and make her yours


So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin
Allow yourself to feel emotions and let them flow in order to start healing


You're waiting for someone to perform with
You're looking for someone to share your experiences with


And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do
You are capable of overcoming this alone


The movement you need is on your shoulder
The solution is within yourself and requires your own initiative


Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Hey Jude, please don't worsen the situation


Take a sad song and make it better
Use a heartbreaking song as the foundation to create something beautiful


Remember to let her under your skin
Allow her to be a part of your life and emotions


Then you'll begin to make it better better better better better better, oh
When you let yourself feel and heal, the outcome will be better than imagined


Na na na nananana, nannana, hey Jude
Vocals without lyrical significance




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions