LP Review: Let It Be – The Beatles

Love Me Do reviews the Beatles final LP release, Let It Be, with such tracks as Get Back, Let It Be, Across the Universe and The Long and Winding Road.

Let It Be is the final studio LP released by the Beatles, and it occupies a unique place in the group’s history. Despite being the last LP they released, it was actually recorded before Abbey Road, leading to an interesting dynamic in its sound and production. Released on May 8, 1970, Let It Be is an LP that encapsulates both the tumultuous period of its creation and the enduring brilliance of the Beatles.

Let It Be was released a month after the official public announcement that The Beatles were breaking up as a group.

Two of Us

The LP opens with the poignant and reflective Two of Us, a song that showcases the harmonious interplay between Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The acoustic arrangement and heartfelt lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and camaraderie, setting the tone for the LP. This track, along with the upbeat I’ve Got a Feeling and the bluesy One After 909, highlights the group’s ability to seamlessly blend different genres and moods.

The LP was originally going to be called Get Back, because the group was trying to get back to its musical roots after the complexities of Sgt. Pepper and The White Album, but the LP was shelved for some time and the title later got changed.

Let It Be

One of the standout tracks on the LP is the title song, Let It Be. Written by McCartney, this song has become an anthem of solace and resilience. The simplicity of its piano melody, combined with McCartney’s soulful vocals, creates a timeless and uplifting piece of music. The song’s message of acceptance and hope continues to resonate with listeners, making it one of the Beatles’ most enduring and beloved songs.

John Lennon is less of a presence on this than on their previous LPs as he and Yoko had descended into heroin addiction at the time of rehearsals and recordings for Let It Be.

Across the Universe

Across the Universe, written by Lennon, is another gem on the LP. The ethereal and introspective nature of this track, coupled with Lennon’s dreamy vocals, makes it a standout piece. The song’s poetic lyrics and the calming sitar in the background create a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. Across the Universe showcases Lennon’s gift for creating deeply personal and universally relatable music.

Across the Universe was not on the original version of Let It Be, but was added by Phil Spector before the LP was released.

The Long and Winding Road

Another significant track on the LP is The Long and Winding Road. This song, written by McCartney, is a poignant reflection on the group’s journey and the challenges they faced. The lush orchestration, added by producer Phil Spector, gives the song a grand and cinematic quality. McCartney’s emotive vocals and the song’s melancholic lyrics make it one of the most moving tracks on the LP.

The original cover planned for the LP was a copy of the cover for their first LP, Please Please Me, with The Beatles in the same pose as in 1963, even down to the same lettering and layout. The photo was shot but The Beatles rejected it.

Get Back

Get Back is undoubtedly one of the best tracks on Let It Be. Written by Paul McCartney, it originated during the sessions for what was intended to be a return to the Beatles’ roots in rock ‘n’ roll. The song captures the raw energy and spirit of the band, harking back to their earlier, more straightforward rock sound. Released as a single, it reached Number One in the UK, USA and several other countries.

The song was performed live by the Beatles on the rooftop of Apple Corps headquarters in London on January 30, 1969. This impromptu performance, which was part of the Let It Be film, became one of the most famous moments in the band’s history. It was the last time the Beatles performed live together, making Get Back a poignant and fitting end to their live performances.

On 10^th January after a disagreement and arguments with John Lennon, George Harrison told the others that he was leaving. He came back five days later after the rest of the group had agreed to his demands that they cancel plan for s live concert and they shift rehearsals away from Twickenham Studios, where they were being filmed for the Let It Be documentary, and back to the more intimate setting of their own fairly new Apple Studio.

Let It Be: Controversies

While the LP features several highlights, it is not without its controversies. The production of Let It Be was fraught with tension and disagreements within the group. The initial recordings, intended to be a return to the Beatles’ roots with a more stripped-down sound, were eventually handed over to Phil Spector for final production. Spector’s use of heavy orchestration and choir arrangements on several tracks, particularly The Long and Winding Road, was met with mixed reactions from the group members and fans alike.

It was John Lennon and George Harrison who asked Phil Spector to rework the tracks. Paul McCartney was especially upset at the results, where Spector had added lush orchestral arrangements to two of his songs, Let It Be and The Long and Winding Road. In 2003 McCartney worked towards a release of the original LP without Spector’s embellishments and called Let It Be… Naked.

Let It Be: Summing-Up

Despite the production challenges, Let It Be remains a testament to the Beatles’ enduring talent and creativity. The LP captures the raw and unpolished energy of the group’s later years, providing a stark contrast to the polished sound of Abbey Road. It is a record that reflects both the camaraderie and the conflicts that defined the Beatles’ final days as a group.