“Let It Be” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, released on March 6, 1970 as a single, and (in an alternate mix) as the title track of their album Let It Be. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney. The single version of the song, produced by George Martin, features a softer guitar solo and the orchestral section mixed low, while the album version, produced by Phil Spector, features a more aggressive guitar solo and the orchestral sections mixed up.
At the time, it had the highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning its chart run at number 6. It was their final single before McCartney announced his departure from the band. Both the Let It Be album and the US single “The Long and Winding Road” were released after McCartney’s announced departure from and the subsequent break-up of the group.
The single used the same cover photographs as the Let It Be album, and was originally released on March 6, 1970, backed by “You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)”, with a production credit for George Martin. This version includes orchestration and backing vocals overdubbed on January 4. 1970, under the supervision of Martin and McCartney, with backing vocals that included the only known contribution by Linda McCartney to a Beatles song.
It was during this same session that Harrison recorded the second overdubbed guitar solo. The intention at one point was to have the two overdub solos playing together. This idea was dropped for the final mix of the single, and only the April 30, solo was used, although the January 4. overdub can be heard faintly during the final verse. Martin mixed the orchestration very low in this version.
Let It Be (1970)
[Verse 1]
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, “let it be”
And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, “let it be”
[Chorus]
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
[Verse 2]
And when the brokenhearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
[Chorus]
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Yeah, there will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus]
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
[Verse 3]
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me
Shine on ’til tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
[Chorus]
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
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