The Beatles – “Dear Prudence” (1968)

A whispered invitation into the light — tender, timeless, transcendent.

Nestled early on The White Album, “Dear Prudence” stands as one of The Beatles’ most serene and spiritually soothing offerings. Written by John Lennon during the band’s stay at the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in Rishikesh, India, the song was inspired by a real moment of concern — for Prudence Farrow, sister of actress Mia Farrow, who had become so immersed in her meditation practice that she withdrew from the world entirely.

 Rather than chiding or criticizing, Lennon offers a gentle, melodic hand of encouragement — a call to rejoin the living, to reconnect with beauty, and to remember joy. The lyrics are simple, almost childlike in their directness, but they hold a quiet power:

“Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play? / The sun is up, the sky is blue, it’s beautiful and so are you…”

 Built around a mesmerizing fingerpicked guitar pattern (taught to Lennon by Donovan during their time in India), the track begins with an intimate hush — just voice and guitar — before gradually blooming into a full-band moment of collective grace. Paul McCartney’s melodic bass, Ringo Starr’s expressive drumming (actually performed by Paul, as Ringo had temporarily left the band), and George Harrison’s subtle guitar textures create a hypnotic atmosphere that lifts the song into quiet euphoria.

“Dear Prudence” is more than a song — it’s a musical meditation, a moment of spiritual clarity wrapped in melody. It captures a rare balance between inward reflection and outward warmth, between solitude and shared light.

Though less flashy than some of The Beatles’ better-known hits, the song has become a cult favorite for many fans — often cited as one of Lennon’s most beautiful compositions. And it continues to resonate today, not just as a product of its time, but as a gentle reminder in any era: to come out, breathe in the sky, and be part of the world again