dear prudence Archives

Single, 1983

. . .

Given how musically adventurous Siouxsie Sioux was, it’s not surprising that the sprawling, eclectic The Beatles was her initial go-to for covers. After all, it’s not every record that has room for both the big-ass rocker “Helter Skelter” and the lovely, psychedelic “Dear Prudence.”

And give that Beatles covers are a dime-a-dozen and that “Dear Prudence” is probably in my top five Beatles songs, maybe even top 2 (after “She Said She Said“), the Banshees’ cover of “Dear Prudence” had a pretty high degree of difficulty.

But they totally nailed it, remaking it in their own image while still retaining its initial flavour.

Album: The Beatles
Year: 1968

INT – MAUREEN O’ SULLIVAN’S APARTMENT – THANKSGIVING 1986

Two sisters are having a heated discussion at the dinner table.

MIA FARROW
(excitedly)

… and I really think that if I get an Oscar nomination for Hannah, it might be the best thing that’s happened to any of us.

PRUDENCE FARROW

John Lennon wrote a song for me.

MIA FARROW

Oh sure, and I was married to Frank Sinatra, but you don’t see me bringing that up.

PRUDENCE FARROW

John Lennon wrote a song for me, and I didn’t even have to sleep with him. How many songs did Frank write for you?

MIA FARROW

Well, Woody’s written plenty of roles for me. (Yells offscreen) How many roles have you written for me, Woody?

WOODY ALLEN is watching a Knicks game in the living room, not even paying attention. He doesn’t respond.

PRUDENCE FARROW

John Lennon wrote a song for me. Woody Allen wrote some parts for you. John Lennon. Woody Allen. John Lennon. Woody Allen. I don’t see the comparison. (Yells offscreen) No offense, Woody!!

No response from Woody Allen

MIA FARROW

I mean, that song come out the same year as Rosemary’s Baby, almost 20 years ago!

PRUDENCE FARROW

John Lennon wrote a song for me. And not just any song. On the same album where he’s singing about how tired and suicidal he his, he also takes the time to write me a beautiful, hypnotic and ultimately cheerful song, full of endlessly swirling guitars, evoking the beautiful day that John Lennon wants me to come out and experience.

Even that Gothic punk chick from England with the Indian – I’m sorry, I mean Native American – name couldn’t make it sound dark when she did that cover version a couple of years ago.

John Lennon wrote me a song, and he even used my real name. It’s one of the best things that could possibly happen to anybody

FADE TO WHITE

“Dear Prudence”

dear prudence

Certain Songs #2237: Siouxsie and The Banshees – “Dear Prudence”

Certain Songs #35: The Beatles – “Dear Prudence”