These are the isolated studio vocals and piano from the Beatles’ “Hey Jude”. Paul McCartney’s lead goes from a gentle opening to full-throated ad-libs in the long “na-na-na” coda. On its own, the piano shows how much of the song rests on one simple, steady part.
Isolated vocals
Isolated piano
What to listen for
- A slow build in the lead vocal. McCartney starts almost conversationally and saves his power for later. Without the band, you can hear how carefully he paces the dynamics across a seven-minute song.
- The harmonies coming in. John Lennon and George Harrison’s backing vocals arrive gradually, first as soft “ooh”s and then as the big singalong. In the vocal stem, each layer is easy to pick out.
- The coda ad-libs. The final section is where McCartney lets go with screams and improvised lines over the repeated refrain. Isolated, these are the rawest moments in any Beatles vocal.
- The piano’s simplicity. McCartney’s piano part is plain block chords played with a steady pulse. It’s an easy part to learn, and hearing it alone shows how well the song works with just voice and piano.
- Sound of the room. The track was cut at Trident Studios rather than Abbey Road, and the piano there has its own distinctive, slightly bright tone.
About the recording
“Hey Jude” was written by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon–McCartney) and produced by George Martin. After rehearsals at Abbey Road, the master was recorded at Trident Studios in Soho, London, in summer 1968, partly because Trident had an eight-track tape machine at a time when EMI’s studios were still working mostly on four-track. A large orchestra was overdubbed for the coda.
Released in August 1968 as the first Beatles single on their own Apple label, it ran for more than seven minutes, far longer than a typical single of the day. It went to No. 1 in the UK and the US, where it spent nine weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100. McCartney has said he wrote it to comfort Julian Lennon, John’s young son, during his parents’ separation.
More Beatles isolated tracks
See the Beatles isolated tracks hub for the full list. Other good ones for vocals are Oh! Darling (vocal only), another McCartney showcase, and And Your Bird Can Sing. For piano, try Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight (piano only), and for the rhythm section, Come Together (drums only). Our isolated tracks guide explains how stems like these are made.
FAQ
Who sings lead on Hey Jude?
Paul McCartney sings lead. John Lennon and George Harrison add backing vocals, and the whole band joins the closing chorus.
Where was Hey Jude recorded?
The master was recorded at Trident Studios in London in 1968, which had eight-track equipment, after earlier rehearsals at Abbey Road.
Who plays piano on Hey Jude?
Paul McCartney plays the piano part as well as singing lead.
