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The Beatles final album, it was released on May 8, 1970. Although not one of the best, it does have several great
tracks. Had George Martin been involved, it would have been among the best!
Oh Look Out! Songs and Albums of The Beatles Part 13 Let It Be By John T. Marck "But Still They Lead Me Back, To The Long And Winding Road" Although Abbey Road was intended to be, Let It Be was the last Beatles' album released. By November 1968, Paul McCartney had realized that it was inevitable that the Beatles' would break up. In an attempt to save them from destruction, Paul persuaded the group to regain their core audience through one or two live concerts. Prior to this, John and George had made their position clear never to perform in concert again, while Ringo didn't care and went with the flow of the group. It was Paul's idea that perhaps they could get two concerts out of it all, one from the rehearsals, and then the final concert. Paul attempted to reserve the Royal Albert Hall, then tried the Roundhouse, but they were booked through December, then Paul's plan fell through. In total opposition, and the cause of their plans for a live concert not working out was George Harrison. He did finally agree that cameras could film and document their rehearsals of the band at work, with the option that he might agree to a live concert if the rehearsals went well. On January 2, 1969, The Beatles gathered together at Twickenham Film Studios for the first of three weeks of rehearsals. Lennon hated it, as the cameras were always rolling, and there were no private moments at all. He said that they (The Beatles) would arrive at eight in the morning, but that was too early to make music, yet they filmed their every move anyway. By the end of January, The Beatles left Twickenham and moved to their own, newly opened Apple Studios, where they were joined by Billy Preston. It would be Preston who helped ease some of the tension between The Beatles. At Apple, they attempted to put together an album of random recordings, but this wasn't working out. The entire recording sessions were a mess. They were at odds with each other; Paul and George hated the presence of Yoko; John hated that they hated this, and Ringo was generally disillusioned by it all. Additionally, The Beatles were committed to one more film for United Artists. Although Paul originally wanted a live concert out if this, what did happen was an 80-minute documentary of the group rehearsing at Twickenham Studios, then recording at Apple Studios, along with their famous live roof-top playing at the Apple office at No. 3 Saville Row in London. The result was Let It Be. Originally, according to Paul's plan was to have an album titled "Get Back." This album was to coincide with a television documentary of the recording process, but that didn't pan out. However, the album was released, and I am fortunate enough to have a copy. This album consisted of the following songs: One After 909; Don't Let Me Down; Dig A Pony; I've Got A Feeling; Get Back; For You Blue; Teddy Boy; Two Of Us On Our Way Home; Dig It; Let It Be; and The Long And Winding Road. The cover art for "Get Back" was that which was later used for the album "The Beatles 1967-1970" (commonly known as the Blue Album). The only album differences between "Get Back" and "Let It Be," besides the cover are that "Get Back" includes the songs "Don't Let Me Down; and Teddy Boy; and the song title change of Two Of Us On Our Way Home on "Get Back," to merely Two Of Us on "Let It Be." In December 1969 and January 1970, I was visiting London and did not know of the roof-top concert, to my dismay. How wonderful it would have been to have witnessed that! The last time The Beatles performed together in a studio was on August 20, 1969. On January 4, 1970, the final taping was completed for Let It Be. In April 1970, Paul McCartney announced that he had left The Beatles, citing personal, business and musical differences. On December 31, 1970, they legally dissolved The Beatles. The Beatles changed history and the music world in a dramatic way. Like Glenn Miller from the forties, who changed music by his innovative style of using clarinets in place of trumpets, and Elvis Presley in his unique style of rock 'n roll from the fifties, and Frank Sinatra from the forties and fifties, The Beatles were the group from the sixties, and remain so today. So with Let It Be, The Beatles did just that, with this their last album. This was an album where clearly George Martin was missed, produced rather by Phil Spector. It's not a bad album, and does have a few excellent songs, but could have been better. All Songs By Lennon & McCartney, unless noted otherwise. And now... Two Of Us Written by Paul, at a first glance or listening to the song, "Two Of Us," appears to be a final loving gesture of affection from Paul to John. But, in truth, Paul did write this about Linda. Paul wrote it one day while the two of them were taking a drive outside of London. They pulled off into the woods, and while Linda was taking a walk, Paul wrote the song. He also mentioned in the song the many postcards the two exchanged in their early relationship. The original live studio version was enhanced by Phil Spector, which gave the acoustic instruments a richer feeling. A nice song. Two of us riding nowhere, spending someone's hard earned pay, You and me Sunday driving , not arriving, on our way back home We're on our way home, we're on our way home, we're going home Two of us sending postcards, writing letters, on my wall, You and me burning matches, lifting latches, on our way back home We're on our way home, we're on our way home, we're going home You and I have memories, longer then the road that stretches out ahead Two of us wearing raincoats, standing solo, in the sun, You and me chasing paper, getting nowhere, on our way back home We're on our way home, we're on our way home, we're going home You and I have memories, longer then the road that stretches out ahead Two of us wearing raincoats, standing solo, in the sun You and me chasing paper, getting nowhere, on our way back home We're on our way home, we're on our way home, we're going home, we're going home Dig A Pony This was one of Lennon's recorded during the roof-top concert. Sort of a fictional love song, its lines promised more than it delivered. Lennon said that he made up the words as he went along. I believe him. I hi hi hi hi hi hi, dig a pony, well you can celebrate anything you want Yes, you can celebrate anything you want, ooh I hi hi hi hi hi hi, do a roadhog, well you can penetrate any place you go Yes, you can penetrate any place you go, I told you so, All I want is you, everything has got to be just like you want it to, because I hi hi hi hi hi hi, pick a moondog, well you can radiate everything you are Yes, you can radiate everything you are, ooh now I hi hi hi hi hi hi, roll a stoney, well you can imitate everyone you know Yes, you can imitate everyone you know, I told you so, All I want is you, everything has got to be just like you want it to, because I hi hi hi hi hi hi, feel the wind blow, well you can indicate everything you see Yes, you can indicate anything you see, ooh I hi hi hi hi hi hi, cold and lonely, well you can syndicate any boat you row Yeah, you can syndicate any boat you row, I told you so, All I want is you, everything has got to be just like you want it to, because Across The Universe Another by Lennon, this was a song that he deemed as one of his best. This had originally been recorded during the "Lady Madonna" sessions, and placed on the side. The Beatles weren't sure what to do with it. They wanted it as a single, then as a B-side, then it was to be used on a EP. Because none of these ideas panned out, The Beatles gave this song to the World Wildlife Fund for a charity album. Phil Spector liked it and decided to include it in "Let It Be." He took the original recording, edited out the opening overdubbed bird sounds, slowed it down a little, and added a choir and orchestra. The bird sounds can be heard on the version included in Past Masters II. John wrote this song after having met the Maharishi Masesh Yogi in England. The chorus phrase "Jai Guru Deva Om" is the name (Guru Dev) of the Maharishi's guru. Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup, they slither while they pass they slip away across the universe Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting through my open mind, possessing and caressing me, Jai Guru Deva Om Nothing's gonna change my world, nothing's gonna change my world Nothing's gonna change my world, nothing's gonna change my world Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes, that call me on and on across the universe Thoughts meander like a restless wind, Inside a letter box, they tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe, jai guru deva ooh Nothing's gonna change my world, nothing's gonna change my world Nothing's gonna change my world, nothing's gonna change my world Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing through my open ears,inciting and inviting me, Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns It calls me on and on across the universe, Jai Guru Deva Om Nothing's gonna change my world, nothing's gonna change my world Nothing's gonna change my world, nothing's gonna change my world Jai Guru Deva Om, Jai Guru Deva Om, Jai Guru Deva Om, Jai Guru Deva Om, Jai Guru Deva Om I Me Mine Harrison This was George's attempt to reconcile his position as a rock star with the religious demands of surrendering his self-importance, in order to attain enlightenment, being he was deeply involved in Eastern thought at the time. Fashioned as a waltz tune, he got the idea for the music after listening to an Austrian marching band on television. In recording this, Lennon was absent, getting a hair cut. But that was not a problem because when it was originally recorded, the other three did it all, while Lennon danced with Yoko around the studio floor. All through the day, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine All through the night, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine Now they're frightened of leaving it, everyone's reading it, comin' on strong all the time, all through the day, I me mine, I me me mine, I me me mine, I me me mine, I me me mine, all I can hear, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine Even those tears, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine No one's frightened of playing it, everyone's saying it, flowing more freely that wine, all through the day, I me mine, I me me mine, I me me mine, I me me mine, I me me mine, all I can hear, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine Even those tears, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine No one's frightened of playing it, everyone's saying it, flowing more freely that wine, all through your life, I me mine Dig It Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starkey This song, credited to all The Beatles, was taken from a 12 minute jam session. It was included because The Beatles liked the phrase, "Dig it." It was originally titled, "Can You Dig It." Like a rolling stone, like a rolling stone, like the F.B.I. and the C. I. A. and the B. B. C, B. B. King and Doris Day, Matt Busby, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, Let It Be A brilliant song by McCartney, it first was thought to be about his late mother Mary. However, this spiritually inspired writing is more of a message of peace to the other Beatles'. Written out of his feelings of despair, Paul was saying that in spite of their differences and the imminent break-up, to merely, let it be. In spite of their various disagreements, no one knew when this was recorded in January 1969, that it would be their last single released in March 1970. 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 Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be, whisper words of wisdom, let it be And when the broken hearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be But though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see, there will be an answer, let it be 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 Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be, whisper words of wisdom, let it be And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me, shine until tomorrow, let it be I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be, oh 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 Maggie Mae Arranged by Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starkey While The Beatles were recording "Two Of Us," they recorded this 30-second revival of a popular Liverpool folk song. It was rescued by George Martin from the numerous session tapes and included here. Oh, dirty Maggie Mae, they have taken her away, and she'll never walk down Lime Street anymore Oh, the judge she guilty found her, of robbing the homeward bounder, dirty no good robbin' Maggie Mae Dis the part of Liverpool, she returned me to, two pound ten a week, that was my pay I've Got A Feeling One of the better rock n' roll numbers of the "Let It Be" sessions, this song came about from two others. McCartney had an unfinished blues song titled "I've Got A Feeling," and Lennon was working on a ballad titled "Everybody Had A Hard Year." Combined together, it was the last song that Lennon & McCartney wrote as song writing partners. I've got a feeling, a feeling deep inside, oh yeah, oh, yeah, that's right I've got a feeling, a feeling I can't hide, oh no, no, oh no, oh no Yeah, yeah, I've got a feeling, yeah, oh please believe me, I'd hate to miss the train, oh yeah, yeah, oh yeah And if you leave me, I won't be late again, oh no, oh no, oh no, yeah, yeah, I've got a feeling, yeah, I've got a feeling All these years I've been wandering around, wondering how come nobody told me All that I was looking for was somebody, who looked like you I've got a feeling that keeps me on my toes, oh yeah, oh yeah I've got a feeling, I think everybody knows, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah, yeah, I've got a feeling, yeah, yeah Everybody had a hard year, everybody had a good time, everybody had a wet dream Everybody saw the sun shine, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, everybody had a good year Everybody let their hair down, everybody pulled their socks up, everybody put their foot down, oh yeah Everybody had a good year, (I've got a feeling a feeling deep inside, oh yeah) Everybody had a hard time, everybody had a wet dream (oh yeah) Everybody saw the sun shine, (I've got a feeling, a feeling I can't hide, oh yeah) Everybody had a good year, everybody let their hair down Everybody pulled their socks up, everybody put their foot down, oh yeah I've got a feeling, I've got a feeling, I've got a feeling, yeah One After 909 By John, it was written in 1959, and revived in March 1963 as a possible single, but was never released. During the "Let It Be" sessions something reminded Lennon of it, and it was re-recorded during the roof-top concert. Lennon wrote it as an American style rock n 'roll song. It is probably the most relaxed and fun sounding recording of all those done during these sessions. My baby says she's traveling on the one after 909, I said move over honey, I'm traveling on that line I said move over once, move over twice Come on baby, don't be cold as ice, I said I'm traveling on the one after 909 I begged her not to go and I begged her on my bended knees You're only fooling around, you're only fooling around with me I said move over once, move over twice, come on baby, don't be cold as ice, I said I'm traveling on the one after 909 I've got my bag, run to the station, railman says, you've got the wrong location Picked up my bags, run right home, then I find, I've got the number wrong, well, I said I'm traveling on the one after 909 I said move over honey I'm traveling on that line, I said move over once, move over twice Come on baby, don't be cold as ice, I said I'm traveling on the one after 909, I've got my bag, run to the station Railman says, you've got the wrong location (yeah), picked up my bags, run right home (run right home) Then I find, I've got the number wrong, well, I said I'm traveling on the one after 909 I said move over honey, I'm traveling on that line, I said move over once, move over twice Come on baby, don't be cold as ice, I said I'm traveling on the one after 90 I said I'm traveling on the one after 90, I said I'm traveling on the one after 909 The Long And Winding Road The second of two of McCartney's great ballads during these sessions, it describes Paul's feelings of loss without indicating any specific situation. His use of images of the wind and rain suggest his feelings of abandonment, while his image of the "long and winding road leading to your door" shows signs of hope. The idea for this road came from an actual long and winding road in Scotland. It is called the B842, and is a sixteen mile road of twists and turns that runs from the east coast of Kintyre into Campbeltown, which is the closest area to his Scotland farm. The long and winding road, that leads to your door, will never disappear. I've seen that road before, It always leads me here, lead me to you door, The wild and windy night, that the rain, washed away, has left a pool of tears, crying for the day Why leave me standing here, let me know the way, many times I've been alone, and many times I've cried Any way you'll never know, the many ways I've tried, but still they lead me back, to the long winding road You left me standing here, a long long time ago, don't leave me waiting here, lead me to your door But still they lead me back, to the long winding road, you left me standing here, a long long time ago Don't keep me waiting here, lead me to your door, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah For You Blue Harrison This was George's attempt to write a blues love song to his wife Patti. It worked. Because you're sweet and lovely girl, I love you Because you're sweet and lovely girl, It's true, I love you more then ever girl, I do I want you in the morning girl, I love you, I want you at the moment I feel blue I'm living every moment girl, for you, walk, walk cat walk, go Johnny go, same ole 12-bar blues (Elmore James go nothin' on this baby) I loved you from the moment I saw you, you looked at me that's all you had to do I feel it now I hope you feel it too, cause you're sweet and lovely girl, I love you Cause you're sweet and lovely girl it's true, I love you more than ever girl I do, I'm having the blues Get Back Written by Paul, it was originally a political satire on the feelings by some that immigrants to Britain should be repatriated. In the original demos, he was singing about the Pakistanis taking others jobs, and that they should go back to where they came from. But, mostly his satirical intentions were misunderstood. For years Paul had to answer questions about this from those who heard his original "bootleg" version, believing him to be a racist. In fact, The Beatles were probably the least racist of any group. When it was recorded in its final form, it had been transformed to speak of Jojo of Tucson. Linda McCartney had lived in Tucson for a while, which was probably Paul's inspiration for using it. From this, no other story line was evident. "Get Back" was a huge hit for The Beatles, selling more than two million copies worldwide, and reached number one in America, Britain, Australia, Canada, West Germany and France. Jo Jo was a man who thought he was a loner, but he knew it couldn't last Jo Jo left his home in Tucson, Arizona, for some California grass, Get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged Get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged, get back Jo Jo Go home, get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged Get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged, get back Jo Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a woman, but she was another man All the girls around her say she's got it coming, but she gets it while she can Get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged, get back, get back Get back to where you once belonged, get back Loretta Go home, Ah, get back, yeah, get back, get back to where you once belonged Yeah get back, get back get back to where you once belonged, get back, ooo Get back, Loretta, your mommy's waiting for you, wearin' her high heel shoes and her low neck sweater, Get back home, Loretta, get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged, get back, get back, get back... NOTE: Words above in blue are not on the original album version, but appear on the single, as well as the Past Masters II CD.
NOTE: All lyrics contained herein are © Copyright 1959, 1963, 1969, 1970 Northern Songs. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. The lyrics contained herein are for the sole use of reference for the readers of this article. All other uses are in violation of international copyright laws. This use for educational reference, falls under the "fair use" sections of U.S. copyright law. The same such reference applies to images/photos of album covers used herein. Copyright © 2000-2022 by John T. Marck. All Rights Reserved. This article and their accompanying pictures, photographs, and line art, may not be resold, reprinted, or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author, or the registered copyright holders. Except as otherwise stated above, all information contained in this article, EXCEPT song titles, lyrics, and photographs, © John T. Marck. A Splendid Time Is Guaranteed For All |
