“Hey Jude” was the first single the Beatles released on their own label, Apple. It was the best selling single of their career, even now, in 1968, four years after they invaded America. It is also the longest song to ever hit number one on the Billboard charts and, to my knowledge, that record still stands to this day. The song is seven minutes and eleven seconds long. It also took the prize for the number one best selling song for the entire year of 1968.

Now, the big question is: “Who is Jude?” The answer to that depends on who you talk to. Since Paul wrote the song, I think his explanation is probably the closest to the truth. John and Cynthia were breaking up. The actual divorce was November 8, 1968 and during all of the turmoil of the divorce, Julian, John and Cynthia’s son was having a hard time. One day, Paul decided to visit him and try to cheer him. As he drove to the Lennon’s house, a song came into his head which he called “Hey Jules.” It was to be named after Julian. Later, he took the music he was hearing in his head and changed the name to “Hey Jude.”

John Lennon later reported that he thought the song was about him, It should have been “Hey, John.” He claims that Paul was telling him to stay away from Yoko Ono, that no good could come of it. When John first heard Paul play the song, he said, “Hey, that’s me.” But others have suggested that Paul is singing about himself. He had just broken up with Jane Asher, whom he had been close to for several years and, I’m sure, he was feeling bad about it.

Whoever the song is about, Paul and John completed it on July 26, 1968. They then got together with Ringo and George and recorded the song with a 40 piece orchestra. Paul wanted a full 100 piece, but they couldn’t get it because of short notice. The song was recorded several times and the solo that Paul sings during the last four minutes of the song (the “na, na, na.”) was added later. The record was ready for pressing on August 2, 1968.

“Hey Jude” debuted on the pop charts on September 14, 1968 and spent a record nine weeks at number one. That record would remain until 1977 when Debbie Boone put “You Light Up My Life” at number one for ten weeks. That record was broken in 1995 when Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men put “One Sweet Day” at number one for an astounding sixteen weeks. Now, that record has never been broken.