On January 31, 1969 the Beatles, along with organist Billy
Preston, recorded the first complete version of “Let It Be.” Written by Paul McCartney in memory of his mother, who was named Mary, the song is about her, and her death from cancer in 1956, when McCartney was about 14 years old.
The song was
composed after he had a dream about her; of which he said; "It was great to
visit with her again. I felt very blessed to have that dream. So, that got me
writing “Let It Be." He had interpreted the dream as being about the problems
the Beatles were having as a group and he felt that his mother was telling him
that, "It will be all right, just let it be."
The song was first recorded by The Beatles, but was first
released by Aretha Franklin in January 1970; one year after it was recorded by
the band; but still several months before it would be released on The Beatles own
album. The reason for this was that the “Let It Be” album got hung up in legal
disputes, resulting in its being released after
the band’s last album, “Abbey Road”, which was recorded in the summer of
1969 and released in September. Many people still think that “Let It Be” is The
Beatles final album, but that is incorrect.
This song has been recorded by hundreds of artists over the
years; including a wonderful rendition by Ray Charles; but this version, with its
very personal connection to the singer/songwriter will always ring the truest in
my ears.
The song itself is about surrendering to a higher power; one
that will help make things right; if you will only have faith and “Let It Be.”
And, sometimes, in our lives, when we are confronted by the roiling waters of
the rapids that beat all about us, that is all we can do.
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