The single has sold approximately eight million copies and is frequently included on professional lists of the all-time best songs.
It also spent nine weeks as number one in the United States-the longest run at the top of the American charts for a Beatles single. Over seven minutes in length, 'Hey Jude' was at the time the longest single ever to top the British charts. 'Hey Jude' was released in August 1968 as the first single from The Beatles' record label Apple Records. After the fourth verse, the song shifts to a fade-out coda that lasts for more than four minutes. 'Hey Jude' begins with a verse-bridge structure based around McCartney's vocal performance and piano accompaniment further details are added as the song progresses to distinguish sections. Originally titled 'Hey Jules', the ballad was written by Paul McCartney-and credited to Lennon/McCartney-to comfort John Lennon's son Julian during his parents' divorce. 'Hey Jude' is a song by the English rock band The Beatles that was recorded in 1968.
