How Paul McCartney Wrote ‘Hey Jude’ to Comfort Julian Lennon Amid His Parents’ Divorce

On August 26, 1968, as protests erupted at the Democratic National Convention, The Beatles released “Hey Jude.” Written by Paul McCartney for Julian Lennon, who was hurting from his parents’ divorce, Paul said the song was meant “to give him hope — that life will get better.” Originally called “Hey Jules,” Paul changed it to “Jude” because it “sounded better.” When McCartney doubted one lyric, John Lennon insisted, “No, you’re going to use that line — that’s the best line in the song.” The seven-minute anthem became a symbol of healing, selling over five million copies and reminding the world that even in pain, music can comfort the soul.