Across The Universe - I Wanna Hold Your Hand
We all know The Beatles and their hit I Wanna Hold Your Hand which “remains the best-selling Beatles single in the United States.” Do you know Across the Universe’s version of I Wanna Hold Your Hand? In the videos posted above, the same song is sung, but the meanings behind them are in two different worlds.
The Beatles’ version of this song is a lot less stressed than it is in Across the Universe. For The Beatles, it’s a song about love. There is nothing that they have to overcome within this song. “Paul McCartney wrote this in Jane Asher's basement. Asher was an actress who became Paul's first high-profile girlfriend.” This song was written for Sir McCartney’s girl whom he later dated. He had no trouble getting the girl and there was no reason they couldn’t be together.
In Across the Universe, this song is sung by a girl, Prudence, who is in love with one of her friends which is another girl. She knows the risk of telling others about her secret love, but she wants to be with her. This version has a lot more behind the words than The Beatles’ version. Prudence has a lot of feeling hidden behind the lyrics. There’s suffering, lust, love, hurt, etc. She can’t go out and get the girl as Sir Paul did; there are lists of reasons why the relationship couldn’t work.
The difference in these songs is created through writing. The Beatles’ back story behind this song is Jane Asher. Across the Universe’s back story is forbidden love.
The Beatles may not have a full story available for everyone to read and go gaga over, but you can imagine. Sir Paul and Ms. Asher were living in the same house. Sir Paul plays guitar and has a dreamy voice. Ms. Asher was probably swooning over him. Sir Paul might play with her feelings for a bit before starting to date her. The two would live happily together. No outside drama, no outside violence, nothing unexpected. I Wanna Hold Your Hand, to them, is just a common love story written by Sir Paul to Ms. Asher.
Across the Universe has the story setup within a movie. Prudence is in love with her fellow cheerleader friend. She cannot tell the girl because of what the outcome might bring. The two are close to each other each day, yet Prudence has to keep her feelings in hold. The friend never shows any interest in Prudence and eventually walks off with one of the football players. There is heartache in this song that is absent in The Beatle’s version. Much more feeling is added to this version because of the story behind it.
I’m not saying one version is better than the other; one just has more emotion behind it than the other. The Beatles’ version is good in its own story just as Across the Universe’s is as well. The one filled with love and happiness, the other with lust and disappointment.
One song, two meanings.
Lyrics to I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Facts about I Wanna Hold Your Hand
I found this to be an interesting take on the versions of the song. I never thought about the different interpretations despite knowing both. Although I prefer the original, your insight brings me to view the second version much differently now.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever watch Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, I love what the gay guy says about this song because it's so true. The song isn't about conquering all odds and love triumphing or getting married or sex. All I want to do is hold your hand. It's so beautiful that I have to like the original better. Don't get me wrong, I loved Across the Universe, but it kind of defeats the meaning of true love that the song originally threw out there so effortlessly. I want to hold your hand, it is true love in a nutshell, great post.
ReplyDelete@Cady: I'm glad I brought insight to you? haha. It's hard to just spot the difference unless you've seen the movie and actually listen to The Beatles' version almost directly after.
ReplyDelete@Dom: I've seen Nick and Norah, but I don't remember that part. I need to watch it again, I guess. I agree with you 100%, The Beatles' version flows so well with the meaning of love. They go hand in hand (hah, holding hands...and going hand in hand) Although Across the Universe does have a lighter tempo, it still has the stressed back story unlike The Beatles'. It's a great song either way, though.
I found this post to be very interesting. Not only do i absolutely love the Beatles and Across the Universe, but I honestly have thought about the same thing before! The comparison was very well done, also. I also enjoyed your grammar and (what I'm mostly sure is) the proper use of whom. However, I think the middle paragraphs were a little repetitive. Also, I know you clarified this at the end, but it still sounds a bit like you're critiquing the Beatles and saying that they don't have enough emotion behind their songs. Still a great job on an interesting topic, (and about one of my favorite songs by them too!) :)
ReplyDeleteOh man, I would never critique The Beatles! I totally love their version, I was probably just too harsh on pointing out the differences.
ReplyDeleteI think I used whom right...haha.
This is one of my favourites along with Yesterday and Dear Prudence.
Okay, third attempt at this comment.....
ReplyDeleteHaving never seen Across The Universe, I would never have known how emotional the song can be. I'm never heard the song in its entirity, either, but I could tell from thr chotus that it was a love song. As someone who doesn't know the entire song or the film, you did a great job explaining both meanings. Personally, I like when songs have multiple meanings, because it makes them more personal for each listener.
I'm never? Hahahahaha! Oh, Bender.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you've never heard the song in it "entirity" before! You don't usually listen to The Beatles? You should see Across the Universe, it's extremely well done, in my opinion anyway. Multiple meanings should be associated with "the more the merrier." Why thank you, I thought this was kind of on the crap side.
Thanks to everyone, I don't think that was said yet.