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Paul McCartney’s “Hey Jude” Lyrics and Gold 45 Record Award
- The Beatles are widely regarded as the most important and influential band in popular music history
- These are the working lyrics to "Hey Jude," annotated by Paul McCartney
- Most consider “Hey Jude” their greatest musical achievement, it was their most successful single
- The song became an anthem of hope and comfort, still sung by millions across multiple generations
- Get complete item description here
$595,000
Item No.
32-3208
To speak to one of our experts, call 1-888-711-8084
Description
Working Lyrics for “Hey Jude” with RIAA Gold Record
Annotated by Paul McCartney, 1968
Ink on paper; accompanied by the RIAA Gold Record award for “Hey Jude”
Few songs in modern history have achieved the cultural power of “Hey Jude.” Written by Paul McCartney and recorded by the Beatles at the height of their influence, it became far more than the Beatles’ greatest hit. The song became an anthem of hope and comfort, still. . .
Annotated by Paul McCartney, 1968
Ink on paper; accompanied by the RIAA Gold Record award for “Hey Jude”
Few songs in modern history have achieved the cultural power of “Hey Jude.” Written by Paul McCartney and recorded by the Beatles at the height of their influence, it became far more than the Beatles’ greatest hit. The song became an anthem of hope and comfort, still. . .
Read More
Working Lyrics for “Hey Jude” with RIAA Gold Record
Annotated by Paul McCartney, 1968
Ink on paper; accompanied by the RIAA Gold Record award for “Hey Jude”
Few songs in modern history have achieved the cultural power of “Hey Jude.” Written by Paul McCartney and recorded by the Beatles at the height of their influence, it became far more than the Beatles’ greatest hit. The song became an anthem of hope and comfort, still sung by millions across multiple generations. These are the working lyrics to "Hey Jude," annotated by Paul McCartney, alongside its original RIAA Gold Record for the song.
The lyric sheet offers direct evidence of how the Beatles worked in the studio. Before photocopiers became commonplace, Mal Evans, the band's road manager and studio assistant, transcribed the working lyrics. McCartney then annotated the sheet by hand. On the paper, he marked cues for tambourine, backing voices, assigned singers and vocal groupings, along with revisions to the lyrics. Most significantly, in the final verse, he revised the closing line to "Remember to let her under your skin, then you'll begin to make it better"—the version immortalized in the recording.
McCartney conceived “Hey Jude” in 1968 while driving to visit Cynthia Lennon and her son Julian after Cynthia’s separation from John. Originally addressed to the child as “Hey Jules,” the composition developed into a broader message of reassurance. The Beatles released the single on August 26, 1968, as one of the first releases on their Apple label. Its gradual expansion from piano-led ballad to an extended orchestral coda gave the recording a scale unprecedented among the group’s singles.
The Beatles recorded rehearsals and attempted backing tracks at EMI Studios on July 29 and 30, 1968, before moving to Trident Studios, where eight-track equipment allowed them to construct the master recording between July 31 and August 2. Released later that month, “Hey Jude” remained at number one in the United States for nine weeks, longer than any other Beatles single. The recording’s 7-minute, 11-second duration was also exceptional for a chart-topping single of its era. Its unforgettable melody, universal message and monumental final chorus helped define not only the sound of the 1960s, but the emotional language of modern music itself.
Beatles items have always been at the summit of music collecting. Other working lyrics for "Hey Jude" have sold at auction for $910,000 and $1 million. Making this opportunity even more extraordinary, only four of the RIAA gold records are believed to exist, and one sold for $91,000 in 2023. Comparable Beatles manuscripts occupy major institutional collections. The British Library preserves working lyrics by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, including manuscripts for “In My Life,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Yesterday,” “Help!” and “Here, There and Everywhere.”
The lyrics are accompanied by a notarized letter from Craig Inciardi documenting their origin and authenticity. Inciardi was a founding curator of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and later worked as a popular culture specialist at Sotheby’s.
Frame: 27 1/2" high x 23 1/2" wide x 2" deep (69.9 x 59.7 x 5.1 cm)
Annotated by Paul McCartney, 1968
Ink on paper; accompanied by the RIAA Gold Record award for “Hey Jude”
Few songs in modern history have achieved the cultural power of “Hey Jude.” Written by Paul McCartney and recorded by the Beatles at the height of their influence, it became far more than the Beatles’ greatest hit. The song became an anthem of hope and comfort, still sung by millions across multiple generations. These are the working lyrics to "Hey Jude," annotated by Paul McCartney, alongside its original RIAA Gold Record for the song.
The lyric sheet offers direct evidence of how the Beatles worked in the studio. Before photocopiers became commonplace, Mal Evans, the band's road manager and studio assistant, transcribed the working lyrics. McCartney then annotated the sheet by hand. On the paper, he marked cues for tambourine, backing voices, assigned singers and vocal groupings, along with revisions to the lyrics. Most significantly, in the final verse, he revised the closing line to "Remember to let her under your skin, then you'll begin to make it better"—the version immortalized in the recording.
McCartney conceived “Hey Jude” in 1968 while driving to visit Cynthia Lennon and her son Julian after Cynthia’s separation from John. Originally addressed to the child as “Hey Jules,” the composition developed into a broader message of reassurance. The Beatles released the single on August 26, 1968, as one of the first releases on their Apple label. Its gradual expansion from piano-led ballad to an extended orchestral coda gave the recording a scale unprecedented among the group’s singles.
The Beatles recorded rehearsals and attempted backing tracks at EMI Studios on July 29 and 30, 1968, before moving to Trident Studios, where eight-track equipment allowed them to construct the master recording between July 31 and August 2. Released later that month, “Hey Jude” remained at number one in the United States for nine weeks, longer than any other Beatles single. The recording’s 7-minute, 11-second duration was also exceptional for a chart-topping single of its era. Its unforgettable melody, universal message and monumental final chorus helped define not only the sound of the 1960s, but the emotional language of modern music itself.
Beatles items have always been at the summit of music collecting. Other working lyrics for "Hey Jude" have sold at auction for $910,000 and $1 million. Making this opportunity even more extraordinary, only four of the RIAA gold records are believed to exist, and one sold for $91,000 in 2023. Comparable Beatles manuscripts occupy major institutional collections. The British Library preserves working lyrics by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, including manuscripts for “In My Life,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Yesterday,” “Help!” and “Here, There and Everywhere.”
The lyrics are accompanied by a notarized letter from Craig Inciardi documenting their origin and authenticity. Inciardi was a founding curator of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and later worked as a popular culture specialist at Sotheby’s.
Frame: 27 1/2" high x 23 1/2" wide x 2" deep (69.9 x 59.7 x 5.1 cm)
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Specifications
| Period: | 20th Century |
| Origin: | England |
| Type: | Historical Memorabilia |
| Depth: | 2.0 in. (5.08 cm) |
| Width: | 23.5 in. (59.69 cm) |
| Height: | 27.5 in. (69.85 cm) |
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
