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"Dear Prudence" is a song written by John Lennon, and credited to Lennon/McCartney. It was initially performed by The Beatles and is the second track on the 1968 double-disc album The Beatles (also known as The White Album).
The lyrics are 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. Lennon, who was worried that she was depressed, wrote this song for her, inviting her to "come out to play". Prudence explained years later that she was just trying to take Transcendental Meditation seriously. She said in Mojo magazine: "They were trying to be cheerful, but I wished they'd go away. I don't think they realized what the training was all about."[citation needed] Whereas the Beatles left the course, Prudence, Mike Love of the Beach Boys, and others, stayed and became Transcendental Meditation (TM) teachers.
"Dear Prudence" was recorded at Trident Studios on 28, 29 and 30 August 1968. "Dear Prudence" and "Back in the U.S.S.R." feature Paul McCartney on drums rather than Ringo Starr, who had recently walked out. On 5 September, Starr returned to find flowers waiting for him on his drum kit.
In 1987, Lennon's original handwritten lyrics sold at auction for $19,500.
The song is playable in The Beatles: Rock Band.
Personnel
- John Lennon – double-tracked vocal, backing vocal, guitar
- Paul McCartney – backing vocal, drums, bass, piano, flügelhorn, tambourine, handclaps
- George Harrison – backing vocal; lead guitar
- Mal Evans – backing vocal, handclaps
- Jackie Lomax – backing vocal, handclaps
- John McCartney – backing vocal, handclaps
- Personnel per Ian MacDonald
Siouxsie and The Banshees version
English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees released "Dear Prudence" in 1983. The band has repeatedly mentioned the Beatles as musical influences, and previously recorded a cover version of the Beatles' "Helter Skelter". "Dear Prudence" became one of Siouxsie and the Banshees' biggest hits, peaking at number three in the UK singles chart during 1983.
Other cover versions
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