Dear Prudence
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the song by The Beatles. For the advice column, see Dear Prudence (advice column).
| "Dear Prudence" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Song by The Beatles | ||
| from the album The Beatles | ||
| Released | 22 November 1968 | |
| Recorded | 28 August 1968 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 3:57 | |
| Label | Apple Records | |
| Writer(s) | Lennon-McCartney | |
| Producer(s) | George Martin | |
| The Beatles track listing | ||
| Back in the USSR (1 of disc 1) |
"Dear Prudence" (2 of disc 1) |
Glass Onion (3 of disc 1) |
| "Dear Prudence" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Siouxsie & the Banshees | ||
| from the album Hyæna | ||
| B-side(s) | "Tattoo", There's a Planet in my Kitchen" | |
| Released | September 23, 1983 | |
| Format | 7" single, 12" single | |
| Recorded | 1983 | |
| Genre | Gothic rock | |
| Label | Polydor | |
| Writer(s) | John Lennon Paul McCartney |
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| Producer(s) | Siouxsie & the Banshees | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| Siouxsie & the Banshees singles chronology | ||
| "Melt!" (1982) |
"Dear Prudence" (1983) |
"Swimming Horses" (1983) |
"Dear Prudence" is a Beatles song written by John Lennon, but credited to Lennon-McCartney, from double-disc album The Beatles (also known as "The White Album").
[edit] Origins
It is about actress Mia Farrow's sister, Prudence, who was present when the Beatles visited Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India. Prudence, focused on meditation, stayed in her room for the majority of their stay. John Lennon, worried she was depressed, wrote this song.
This song, along with "Back in the U.S.S.R." which it directly follows on from, features Paul McCartney on drums rather than Ringo Starr, who had recently walked out. He returned after the recording of this song to find flowers on his drumkit, greeting him.
Lennon considered it one of his favorite Beatles songs and his son Julian Lennon has named it his favorite.
In 1987, Lennon's original handwritten copy of the lyrics was auctioned off for $19,500.
[edit] Cover interpretations
English rock band Siouxsie & the Banshees released "Dear Prudence" in 1983 as the first single from their sixth studio album Hyæna. It was produced by the Banshees and was given a gothic rock twist by the band, while still retaining the song's pop feel.
Siouxsie & the Banshees have repeatedly namechecked the Beatles as musical influences, and the band had previously recorded a cover version of the Beatles' "Helter Skelter". "Dear Prudence" became Siouxsie & the Banshees' biggest hit, peaking at number three in the UK singles chart during 1983.
The Jerry Garcia Band was known to have covered the song regularly during the 1980s and 1990s. It was thought to be one of Jerry Garcia's favorite Beatles songs. JGB's rendition was often extended and improvised (with many versions exceeding ten minutes) in accordance with their musical style.
[edit] Cultural legacy
The song's line "Won't you come out to play?" was adapted by Elton John and Bernie Taupin in their 1982 song "Empty Garden", written as a tribute to John Lennon.
