‘Dear Prudence’: The Story Behind The Beatles’ Song

Udiscovermusic ^ | August 28, 2025 | McGuinness

[nickcarraway]

Dear Prudence

[fidelis]

Beautiful piece of music, so lyrical, evocative and innovative. One of Lennon’s best, I’d say.

[dadfly]

yeah that was a good one. i’ve heard it so many times, i can still hear the whole thing in my head.

no idea about the wierd back story though. i just saw kids in my old neighborhood going around knocking on doors and asking friends out to play. great song. very atmospheric as they say. so is julia.

[Telepathic Intruder]

Look around………

[week 71]

I like the Jerry Garcia’s Band rendition of this song.

[Bullish]

Dear Prudence has always one of my very favorites. I loved the Beatles having grown up listening to them. I was always partial to the songs written and sung by John but don’t get me wrong, Paul’s certainly no slouch.

[irishjuggler]

Mike Love claims that “Back in the USSR” was also written at that Maharishi pow-wow, with him making lyrical suggestions to McCartney.

[nickcarraway]

Yes, it's a parody of California Girls and Chuck Berry's Back in the U.S.A..

[TTFlyer]

Both of which are far better songs than Back in the USSR.

[newfreep]

“California Girls” is bubble gum pop with simple chord(s)...and later covered by David Lee Roth.

“Back in the USSR” has nothing to do with Chuck Berry’s “Back in the USA”

[TTFlyer]

“Back in the USSR” has nothing to do with Chuck Berry’s “Back in the USA”.

Didn’t say it did.

I understand that in Hell “Hey Jude” plays 24/7 on the PA.

[newfreep]

“Hey Jude” was a very good song...until they began droning on and on and on and on and....

[Adder]

The song is beautiful...memorable and one of their best.
As a group, they were amazing. Every evolution was unique and artistically stunning.

And here we are, nearly 60 years from them, still amazed by their songs.

[GranTorino]

Wonder if she was messed up on LSD and wouldn’t come out and play?

[Kid Shelleen]

Pretty song; I like asking GROK the meaning of songs. Here is part of what is said about Dear Prudence.

Interpretation: Beyond its literal inspiration, the song can be seen as a broader metaphor for overcoming withdrawal or emotional seclusion, urging someone to engage with the world and find joy in simple pleasures.

[LouAvul]

Having grown up in that era, I’m certain that everything those people did included heavy doses of all types of drugs. That was their lifestyle. Like, breathing oxygen and sleeping.

[equaviator]

Dear Prudence always seemed a bit lengthy for me. Yer Blues, Glass Onion, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Savoy Truffle and Long, Long, Long are my top 5 from the “White Album”. I don’t care what the story is behind them, I just like the way they sound.

[subterfuge]

I think My Friends by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Needle and the Damage Done by Neil Young are very similar to the Dear Prudence song. Same chord structure and picking style.

[glennaro]

Savoy Truffle is a most creative song written by Harrison about a box of candy and his friend’s (Clapton’s) “addiction” to sweets. Most creative.

[equaviator]

Get up and do the “Savoy Truffle Shuffle”!