On Tuesday, June 18, Julian Lennon, son of Beatles legend John Lennon, celebrated Paul McCartney’s 82nd birthday in a touching way. Julian, 61, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to post a heartwarming message and video montage, paying tribute to his “uncle” Paul.
“Hoppy Birdy, Uncle Paul! Only love… Jude x,” Julian captioned his post. The accompanying video was a nostalgic journey through photos of a young Julian with McCartney, set to the iconic Beatles’ track “Hey Jude.” The song, famously inspired by Julian during a difficult period in his family’s life, provided the perfect backdrop for the sentimental tribute.
The video opened with a snapshot of a young McCartney sitting beside Julian on the grass, capturing a moment of serene companionship. This was followed by images of the pair walking together and playing by the sea, ending with a tender photo of McCartney carrying Julian.
Fans and followers were quick to respond to the heartfelt post. “Awww. Hey Jude. I’m crying,” one commented, while another added, “Beautiful tribute to Paul, Julian.”
The connection between Julian and “Hey Jude” is well-documented. In March, McCartney discussed the song’s origins on the iHeartRadio podcast Paul McCartney: A Life in Lyrics. McCartney recounted that the song was initially conceived during a car ride to visit Julian and his mother Cynthia, following John Lennon’s departure from their marriage.
“I was traveling one day to see Julian Lennon and his mother Cynthia and I used to call him Jules,” McCartney recalled. “So the song started off as I was in the car driving out, which was a 45-minute drive out of central London. I was just going out, just as a friend, just to sort of see them.”
McCartney explained that the song’s purpose was to offer encouragement to young Julian amid the turmoil of his parents’ divorce. “So in my mind I’m thinking ‘Hey Jules,’ you know, ‘don’t make it bad. I know this is tough for you but take a sad song and make it better.’ Your dad’s just left you so I was like, trying to be encouraging,” he shared. The song evolved from a message of support for a child facing a family breakup into a broader anthem of hope and resilience.
Julian’s tribute not only honors McCartney’s birthday but also underscores the deep and enduring bonds forged within the Beatles’ extended family. As “Hey Jude” continues to inspire and comfort listeners, it stands as a testament to the timeless and personal connections that music can foster.
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Photo Credit: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com