The Time Paul McCartney Put His Foot Down About George Harrison’s “Hey Jude” Advice

Sometimes being in a band is a democracy. Other times, not so much. Every band as their own way of operating. The division of power–wether discussed or not–will find a way to assert itself. In the Beatles, they had a rule that the songwriter of a particular work has veto power on any other suggestions made by their bandmates. That rule put Paul McCartney and George Harrison at odds during the writing of “Hey Jude.” Read more, below.

[RELATED: The “Angst-Ridden” Song Paul McCartney Wrote To Make Himself Feel Better]

The Time Paul McCartney Put His Foot Down About George Harrison’s “Hey Jude” Advice

Around the time McCartney wrote “Hey Jude,” Harrison was growing increasingly fed up with his bandmates. McCartney and John Lennon famously shunned many of the guitarist’s ideas. It was enough to cause him to eventually leave the band–though he returned for a short stint prior to the band’s full breakup.

In this instance, Harrison apparently wanted to add a guitar line to “Hey Jude.” McCartney wasn’t too keen on the idea.

Hey Jude, don’t make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.

McCartney adhered to the band’s rule of vetoing advice on your song. He shut down Harrison’s playing, opting for the stripped down version we now know and love.

“I remember telling George not to play guitar on Hey Jude,” McCartney once said. “He wanted to echo riffs after the vocal phrases, which I didn’t think was appropriate. He didn’t see it like that, and it was a bit of a number for me to have to dare to tell George Harrison – who’s one of the greats, I think – not to play guitar. It was like an insult.”

“I tried to be nice, I said, ‘No, George, I really don’t hear it, I don’t think that’s gonna work,’” he continued. “I think he was a bit miffed.”

It was just one of the many rifts Harrison and his bandmates had during this era of their career. While we’re sure Harrison’s playing would’ve been a welcomed addition, this track likely didn’t need that extra layer. Revisit this classic track, below.

Hey Jude, don’t be afraid.
You were made to go out and get her.
The minute you let her under your skin,
Then you begin to make it better.

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain,
Don’t carry the world upon your shoulders.
For well you know that it’s a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Keystone Press Agency/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock