"
Hey Jude" is a song by the English
rock band
the Beatles, written by
Paul McCartney and credited to
Lennon–McCartney. The
ballad evolved from "Hey Jules", a song McCartney wrote to comfort
John Lennon's son,
Julian, during his parents' divorce. "Hey Jude" begins with a verse-bridge structure incorporating McCartney's vocal performance and piano accompaniment; further instrumentation is added as the song progresses. After the fourth verse, the song shifts to a fade-out
coda that lasts for more than four minutes.