When Paul McCartney wrote 'Hey Jude' he was originally thinking of a different name. Why did he change it, and who were the two other people who were originally thought that the song was about? There was also one line in the song that was supposed to be just temporary, which line was it, and who persuaded Paul to keep it in?

bobthebirder

Well, It was originally about Julian Lennon, so it was "Hey Jules" but he changed it because Jude is easier to sing. The temporary lyric was "The movement you need is on your shoulders" John Lennon convinced him to keep it in the song. http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=141 Dec 02 06, 11:37 AM

romeomikegolf

Well done Bob, but who were the other two people that the song was erroneously linked to? Dec 02 06, 12:20 PM

star_gazer

Also, Paul wrote this song while John Lennon was divorcing his wife Cynthia who was Julian's mother. Paul was very close to Julian and wanted to comfort him. Paul changed the song from "Hey Jules" to "Hey Jude" so that John Lennon would not prevent the creation of the song. Dec 02 06, 3:59 PM

BungeeAZ

The original title of the song was "Hey Jules" Paul wrote it for Julian (John Lennon's son) as John and Cynthia were going through their divorce. "Uncle Paul" was trying to offer support and comfort to Julian. John thought the song was about him in the line "go out and get her." To John, this meant Paul's blessing to persue and eventually marry Yoko Ono. John told Paul not to change any lines in the song, but I think you are referring to "the movement you need is on your shoulder." Dec 03 06, 8:16 AM

romeomikegolf

Bungee, You're right about the line. Paul thought it sounded like he was singing about a parrot, but John presuaded him to keep it in because he said that he knew what it meant. The other person that people thought the song was about was, apparently, Bob Dylan. Dec 03 06, 9:19 AM