The Beatles – ‘Dear Prudence’

Dear Prudence, Let Me See You Smile!

What does actress Mia Farrow have in common with The Beatles? Her sister, Prudence! While Mia was leaving her mark on Woody Allen, her sister Prudence was leaving her mark on John Lennon. She met the band on a spiritual retreat in India, and her battle with depression inspired John to pen the lyrics to ‘Dear Prudence’.

John wanted to cheer Prudence up during a particularly bad bout with depression, and wrote ‘Dear Prudence’ in hopes that it would cheer her up and bring her out of her shell. It did!

One of John’s favorite songs ever written for The Beatles, ‘Dear Prudence’ was one of several tracks on The White Album to feature Paul McCartney on the drums, replacing Ringo who temporarily quit the band. It’s a dreamy, almost ethereal kind of song, which matches the atmosphere of the spiritual retreat the band resided in during the recording of the album.

It Sold For WHAT?!

John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics were auctioned off for $19,500 in 1987.

Either way, we’re glad this classic coaxed a smile out of Prudence!

+ Dear Prudence lyrics +

Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It’s beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?

Dear Prudence, open up your eyes
Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies
The wind is low, the birds will sing
That you are part of everything
Dear Prudence, won’t you open up your eyes?

Look around round
Look around round round
Look around

Dear Prudence, let me see you smile
Dear Prudence, like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again
Dear Prudence, won’t you let me see you smile?

Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It’s beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?