Julian Lennon Discusses His Emotional Relationship With Song Hey Jude

Julian Lennon (Instagram @julianpicturepalace)

JAKARTA - Julian Lennon again discussed his relationship with the song The Beatles, Hey Jude.

In an interview with Esquire, the musician and son of the late Beatles icon John Lennon remembered how Paul McCartney wrote the 1968 non-album single about John's breakup with Julian's mother, Cynthia.

The couple have separated and John started a relationship with Yoko Ono, whom he married in 1969.

At first it was 'Hey Jules', but the rhythm wasn't right,' explained Julian. 'Hey Jude' is a better interpretation. Paul wrote it to entertain you, and also to entertain me. It was a beautiful sentiment, no doubt, and I am very grateful but I was also motivated by it."

I love the fact that he wrote songs about me and for Mother, but depending on the side of the bed where someone wakes up, and where you listen to them, it can be a good thing or a little frustrating. But in my heart, there's no bad word I can say about it," Julian added.

The lyrics are still relevant today. Their goal is to make life better and ease my burden, especially on the track that I follow as a musician following my father. Is this like, are you crazy? Why do you want to do that?"

I've chosen the hardest way humanity knows to follow, but that's why after 30 years of music I feel it's time to pursue another dream I have. Photographography and several other things.

"Music will always be in my blood and that's partly because of my father and partly because of The Beatles, especially after watching Get Back."

Later, Julian told the news outlet, the strange thing about the audience was that they sometimes thought it was funny. In fact, according to Julian, they didn't realize there was a lot of pain behind what was happening.

"Every time you quote it, I remember a mother who was separated from her father, a lost love, the fact that I rarely see my father again," said Julian.

I saw him maybe a few times before he died. Many people don't really understand how intense, emotional, and personal it is. It's not just 'raise up and clean up yourself and be happy'. There's deep emotional pain. I can celebrate but it's also something that's always dark for me.

This is not a position that requires forgiveness. This is just the time and place in my life where something happened. Who knows if I've handled it? Maybe not. Do I need therapy? No, I think life is enough as therapy. So, this is strange," he concluded.

Earlier this year, Julian admitted that he had a 'love-hat' relationship with Hey Jude. He said the song was a clear and dark reminder of what was going on between his parents.