THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

6-Beatles-Hey Jude.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.09. The ‘outro’ that stays longer than the mother-in-law.

The Beatles (see also best songs 599-456-319-238-218-141-80-51 and 10) were formed in Liverpool, England, in 1960, and remained active until 1970, with record sales in excess of 600 million they are the best selling music act of all time. Between 1960-1962 there were five others who were early members, but the classic line up from 1962 comprised of John Lennon, (1940-1980) (see also best songs 927-473-456-168 and 20) Paul McCartney, (see also best songs 646 and 107) George Harrison, (1943-2001) (see also best songs 737 and 726) and Ringo Starr.

On July 6th, 1957, McCartney first met Lennon, joining him as the rhythm guitarist in the Liverpool based Skiffle/Rock and Roll’ band the ‘Quarrymen,’ then in February 1958 McCartney introduced his friend George Harrison to Lennon, who a month later also became a member of the ‘Quarrymen.’Lennon’s school friend Stuart Sutcliffe (1940-1962) who played bass with the group between 1960-1962 suggested changing the band’s name to ‘Beatals,’ as a tribute to ‘Buddy Holly and the Crickets.’ (see also best songs 898 and 264) They used that name until May 1960, when they became the ‘Silver Beetles,’ and by August 1960 they were simply the ‘Beatles.’ The classic line up was complete when Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) became the bands fourth and final drummer in August 1962, after the band fired Pete Best, whom they had become dissatisfied with.

The discography of the Beatles includes 12 studio Albums released in the UK, and 17 made up of varying tracks issued in the United States, between 1963-1970. There are also 54 official compilation Albums available, and there have been 63 singles released worldwide between 1962-1996. In the UK, 30 of those singles have reached the top 40, with 17 of them making the Number 1 spot, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, they have achieved 50 top 40 hits, with 20 of those songs reaching the top spot.

The songwriting for ‘Hey Jude’ as was contractually obliged was credited to Lennon/McCartney, with the production handled by George Martin, (1926-2016) the song was released as a stand alone single, and it’s first appearance on an Album was as the title track to ‘Capitol Records’ North American compilation ‘Hey Jude’ in February 1970. The song was also the first Beatles song issued on the Beatles own newly launched record label ‘Apple.’

By 1968 tensions were rising high in the Beatles camp, with all four band members in confrontation with each other. To add to the tension John Lennon had just split with his wife Cynthia (1939-2015) who was a close friend of McCartney’s, and Lennon’s new partner Yoko Ono appeared in the eyes of McCartney to be taking his place in the creative department. McCartney didn’t think it was right to cut ties with Cynthia as she had been a part of the team for many years, so he decided to visit her, and her five year old son Julian at their family home. Cynthia recalled McCartney’s surprise visit,’I was touched by his obvious concern for our welfare, on the way down he composed ‘Hey Jude’ in the car.’

The songs original title was ‘Hey Jules’ and it was intended to comfort Julian from the stress of his parents separation, McCartney changed the title to ‘Hey Jude’ as it fit the song better. In all probability the song did start out being about Julian, but it has also been said that McCartney was himself going through a turbulent time with personal relationships, as he had recently parted with Jane Asher, and had just become involved with Linda Eastman (1941-1998.) John Lennon thought that the song was about him, speaking in 1980 he said,’If you think about it, Yoko’s just come into the picture. He’s saying. “Hey, Jude, Hey, John.” I know I’m sounding like one of those fans who reads things into it, but you can hear it as a song to me. The words “Go out and get her,”Subconsciously he was saying, Go ahead, leave me. On a conscious level, he didn’t want me to go ahead.’

Two other UK Number 1 singles with long ‘outro’s’ were inspired by ‘Hey Jude. In 1971 the T.Rex song ‘Hot Love’ (see also best songs 790) can boast a near three minute fade out, and in 1980 ‘Heart Of Glass’ by Blondie, (see also best songs 402) has around a 90 seconds outro.

‘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.’