Even casual Beatles fans are aware that “Hey Jude” was written in honor of Julian Lennon, but did you know there are several other songs from the Fab Four that were inspired by real people? From meditation addicts to teenage runaways, meet the real people that moved the Beatles’ pen.
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“She’s Leaving Home”
Written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, “She’s Leaving Home” was inspired by a real-life teen runaway, Melanie Coe. Though they took some artistic liberties, this story of youthful rebellion follows Coe’s closely. Silently closing her bedroom door / Leaving the note that she hoped would say more, the lyrics read, setting the stage for this tale of missing kids and concerned parents.
Coe was just 17-years-old when she left home with her boyfriend. Despite her story being one of just many similar situations, it made national news in England–where McCartney caught wind of it. He and Lennon put their own spin on it, delivering a song that is timeless and universal.
“Dear Prudence”
“She’d been locked in for three weeks and was trying to reach God quicker than anyone else,” Lennon once said of Prudence Farrow–sister of actress Mia Farrow. The quote was a reaction to a meditation experience the Beatles headed up during their days following Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Prudence Farrow reportedly took things to the extreme, locking herself away in her room for days on end.
The Beatles’ song, “Dear Prudence”, was born out of this peculiar situation. Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play? / Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day, the lyrics read. This song benefits from an added layer of context. Without it, it remains a stellar track in the Beatles’ catalog. But, with this explanation, it becomes a pointed put down of a fellow enlightenment-seeker.
“Sexy Sadie”
Sticking with the theme of the Beatles in India, “Sexy Sadie” is another song that was born out of their traveling with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Lennon, who became increasingly fed up with sycophantic religious leaders, wrote this song to denounce Maharishi and the way he treated women.
Lennon obscures this meaning by replacing his name with “Sadie”, but that marks the end of his minced words. Sexy Sadie, you’ll get yours yet / However big you think you are, the lyrics read. Despite his stature as a spiritual guru, Maharishi gets a pretty well-rounded dressing down from Lennon here.
(Photo by David Magnus/Shutterstock)
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