10 Beatles Tracks That Were Ahead Of Their Time
1. Paul McCartney: Hey Jude (1967)
Peter Jackson's Get Back, shone a light on a period of time that was supposed to be hellish for the Beatles. The group were shown crafting some of their greatest material, with the kind of light heartedness of school kids. They weren't constantly at each others throats, and Yoko's presence wasn't the interfering force we were all led to believe. But it was still a troubled time.
Both Starr and Harrison quit during this period. Ringo was worn out by stress and a reliance on booze. Harrison felt like a spare part; Lennon was lost in heroin addiction, and McCartney was struggling as a leader. This confusing and chaotic time is perhaps best encapsulated by the sentiment of Hey Jude.
McCartney intended the lyrics to be a message of encouragement for John Lennon's son, Julien, who's parents had separated with the arrival of Yoko Ono. Lennon interpreted it as a slight. The line "The movement you need is on your shoulder." was seen as a reference to Yoko Ono's constant present at John's side. Despite this, he recognised its brilliance. As the lyrics swell with hope, so does the music. It was the sound of triumph within catastrophe. In spite of the tension within the group, they were able to deliver one of their greatest songs.