Paul McCartney’s ‘Hey Jude’ lyrics sold out for $910,000

A paper sheet with Paul McCartney’s handwritten lyrics to ‘Hey Jude’ sold for $910,000 in an online auction.

The lyrics written by Paul McCartney was sold for more than five times its pre-sale estimate.

California-based Julien’s Auctions shifted its sale of some 250 Beatles memorabilia online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Friday marks exactly half a century since an interview given by McCartney sealed the acrimonious end of the “Fab Four,” widely considered one of the most influential bands in history.

Asked if he foresaw a time when his prolific songwriting partnership with fellow Beatle John Lennon would restart, his blunt reply — “no” — spoke for itself.

McCartney wrote “Hey Jude” after an earlier split — Lennon s divorce from first wife Cynthia following his affair with Japanese artist Yoko Ono.

The song was composed to comfort Lennon s son Julian during his parents break-up, and was initially titled “Hey Jules.”

The handwritten document sold Friday contains partial lyrics along with annotations including the word “break” used to aid the song s recording.

Other items included a drumhead with the Beatles  logo used during their first US tour gig in 1964, sold for $200,000, and a handwritten shooting script page for the “Hello, Goodbye” music video in 1967, fetching $83,200.

A brass ashtray used by Ringo Starr at the Abbey Road recordings in the 1960s earned $32,500.

About Paul McCartney

Sir James Paul McCartney is an English singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and record and film producer.

He gained worldwide fame as co-lead vocalist and bassist for the Beatles.

His songwriting partnership with John Lennon remains the most successful in history.