Hey Jude tops literature list

Chart topper: Hey Jude

Beatles classic Hey Jude has been named the song most often referred to in literature – and the Fab Four have six tracks in the top 20.

The 1968 work was the first release on their Apple Records label, and has gone on to become a staple of Paul McCartney’s solo shows, with a recent internet joke revolving round him providing a Hey Jude-o-gram service.

The literature list was compiled by culture interpretation website Small Demons, with the song placed ahead of material by Elvis, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Queen and Bob Dylan. See the top 20 below.

Meanwhile, a seven-inch vinyl replica of Love Me Do, released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ first single, has been recalled after the wrong version was thought to have been printed on the disc.

Ringo Starr played drums on the single but the album edition featured Andy White in his place, and EMI executives are thought to have released White’s version on the commemorative record.

The label ordered dealers not to sell the disc and have no plans to make a corrected version. It’s thought EMI plan to destroy the print run on the instructions of Apple Records.

Small Demons’ most-mentioned songs in literature

1. Beatles: Hey Jude
2. Elvis Presley: Heartbreak Hotel
3. Led Zeppelin: Stairway to Heaven
4. USA for Africa: We Are the World
5. ABBA: Dancing Queen
6. Carl Perkins: Blue Suede Shoes
7. Beatles: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
8. Beatles: Eleanor Rigby
9. Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit
10. Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody
11. Los del Rio: The Macarena
12. Michael Jackson: Beat It
13. Creedence Clearwater Revival: Proud Mary
14. OneRepullic: Apologize
15. Beatles: I Want to Hold Your Hand
16. Beatles: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
17. Lili Marlene
18. Michael Jackson: Billy Jean
19. Bob Dylan: Like a Rolling Stone
20. Rolling Stones: (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction