Lyric discussion by hsk712 

Cover art for Hey Jude lyrics by Beatles, The

It's worth noting that St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes (in the RCC). It could be about having a little hope when a relationship feels like a lost cause.

I agree. Paul McC's Catholicism insinuates itself into many Beatles songs. "The movement you need is on your shoulder" seems to me like Paul telling John to stop carrying the cross for the entire Anti-war youth movement - as if to say "stop making yourself into the Messiah of the hippy-anti-war left-wing peace thing - it's already been accomplished through Christ. This goes right along with Lennon's song "Ballad of John & Yoko". ['The way things are going'....etc.]

I probably overthought this but it's just as far-fetched as all the heroin interpretations here !

I agree. Paul McC's Catholicism insinuates itself into many Beatles songs. "The movement you need is on your shoulder" seems to me like Paul telling John to stop carrying the cross for the entire Anti-war youth movement - as if to say "stop making yourself into the Messiah of the hippy-anti-war left-wing peace thing - it's already been accomplished through Christ. This goes right along with Lennon's song "Ballad of John & Yoko". ['The way things are going'....etc.]

I probably overthought this but it's just as far-fetched as all the heroin interpretations here !