Expert: Elizabeth - 9/29/2006

Question
When Paul sings Hey Jude, who is he giving advice to?

and

Which Beatles song has John and Paul singing different verses (verse 3) at the same time? It was recorded with this error (older song).

Answer
Hey Jude was written for John Lennon's son Julian.  At the time, John and Cynthia Lennon were going through a messy divorce, and Paul started writing a song for the four year old to make him feel better.  The song was originally called "Hey Jules."

As for the second question...I'm not exactly sure what you're asking for, but there is a version of "Please Please Me" where John sings the wrong words in the third verse (which is actually a repeat of the first verse, but who am I to argue semantics) and laughs about it in the recording.

From the Beatles anomalies page: http://www.pootle.demon.co.uk/wgo.htm

1:27
   John sings "Why do I-you never even try, girl?"
   Paul sings "I know you never even try, girl." (Correctly)

John, apparently realizing his mistake, chuckles out his next "come on." Stereo version only. This is caused by John singing the second line of the second verse (not the third verse!).


So there are two versions of this song out there: one where John gets it right and one where he doesn't.

Hope this helps.  Thanks for taking your time to ask me a question!