DM's Beatles forums
Beatles forums => Songs => Topic started by: Kevin on April 12, 2010, 09:12:09 AM
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And so we come to the end.......
To think this began with debates about whether Love Me Do was too simple, and we end with this. For me, if Love Me Do was a light morning snack then Let It Be is a three course late night meal. I don't like it too much. It's too pompous and groans under its own worthy weight. "Speaking words of wisdom, Let It Be." Really?
If Hey Jude was a masterclass in how to make a wonderful, understated piano based epic then Let It Be is how not too do it.
Too pompous, too serious and up it's own arse by far. For once I agree with Lennon. Macca is trying too hard.
As for the b side, I guess it shows that if the band had followed through with their threat to become a comedy act then yes, they would have given The Bonzo Do Dah band a run for their money. Maybe it's flippancy is supposed to offset Let It Be's seriousness.
All in all a sad finish for such a great band.
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'Let It Be' is certainly in my Beatles top three, right now it might even be my favorite song of theirs. This is one of those songs that is somehow much more than just the sum of a good composition, a good set of lyrics and a good performance. It has an almost spiritual kind of mood.
I like 'You Know My Name' quite a lot too. It's kind of a novelty thing but it's genuinly funny and it's a nice contrast with the A side.
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"Speaking words of wisdom, Let It Be." Really?
In some contexts "let it be" are definately words of wisdom.
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In some contexts "let it be" are definately words of wisdom.
For sure. I'm trying to think why this irks me, and I think it ties in with our Lennon sincerity thing. Assumption only, but I'm betting Macca got the phrase Let It Be from somewhere, thought it sounded nice and built a song around it.
Compare Let It Be to its contempory Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Both are going for the same audience. It too is very weighty and "spiritual" ( I guess) but for me it works, whereas LIB just sounds pompous. But that might be because I know -should say think - Macca is just doing his Clever Songwriter thing.
Think I'm digging myself a whiole here. But for some reason I don't like the damn thing.
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3 simple words but what ambiguity. It's a take it or leave it statement. You just know that Macca was having a field day with this one. Gospel-tastic with the hammond organ and the descending ooh's in the chorus....Spiritual indeed. Very 'church hymn.'
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I love the song for its musical aspects and while I feel that it has some kind of majestic or spiritual quality to it, I also see Kevins point about Paul being somewhat pompous with the whole thing. I almost get the feeling that Paul heard of thought up a decent little catch phrase and knew everybody would jump on the bandwagon because he was Paul McCartney and it was a Beatles song. Let It Be, just leave it alone, accept it, worry about yourself, be peaceful, etc,,,. Theres tons of things you can come with that plays within the context of those three words and people ate that stuff up at the time. Regardless of all that, I think the songs wonderful musically. Love the piano, thunderous drums, guitar solo (not so much the organ solo on the other version),and even the chorus. Great song composition wise in my opinion.
'You Know My Name' is kind of awful, but isnt that what they were aiming for in the first place with that song? If I never heard it again, it would alright with me.
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For sure. I'm trying to think why this irks me, and I think it ties in with our Lennon sincerity thing. Assumption only, but I'm betting Macca got the phrase Let It Be from somewhere, thought it sounded nice and built a song around it.
Compare Let It Be to its contempory Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Both are going for the same audience. It too is very weighty and "spiritual" ( I guess) but for me it works, whereas LIB just sounds pompous. But that might be because I know -should say think - Macca is just doing his Clever Songwriter thing.
Don't you think that's just because Paul was never known to be the "deep" and spiritual one? If George would've written 'Let It Be', I'm pretty sure that nobody would ever have questioned the sincerity of the lyrics.
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Don't you think that's just because Paul was never known to be the "deep" and spiritual one? If George wouldn't written 'Let It Be', I'm pretty sure that nobody would ever have questioned the sincerity of the lyrics.
Yeah - I thought that. But sincerity aside, I still find it all a bit heavy handed. I find lines like "there will be an answer Let It Be" etc a bit tortorous. In fact, it sounds like a George song :)
So I've decided, it's not the sentiment or the sincerity. It's that's it's too pompous. But like I said I like Bridge Over Troubled Water, and In The Ghetto, which are pretty similar. And I know Elvis probably didn't give a sh*t about some inner city black kid. Lyrically Let It Be does not please me. And Macca did the whole thing so well with Hey Jude.
Dunno.
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Maybe it's George Martin's light touch that I miss.
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For sure. I'm trying to think why this irks me, and I think it ties in with our Lennon sincerity thing. Assumption only, but I'm betting Macca got the phrase Let It Be from somewhere, thought it sounded nice and built a song around it.
I thought most Beatles fans knew the story behind this song, but I guess not. The story goes that Paul was going through some turmoil due to the impending break-up of the band. Then one day he had a dream in which his mother appeared to him and said "Let it be". Hence the lyrics "Mother Mary". If that story is in fact true (which I believe it to be) we can hardly accuse Paul of insincerity. But even if it isn't, it doesn't make Let it Be any less of a good song.
Personally this is one of my favourite Beatles songs and one that I actually listen to when I have troubles going on in my life. I like that the lyrics are so simple, yet mean so much. As for the production, it may be off-putting to some but the spiritual vibe it gives off is really comforting to me. It is bombastic, but idk, I think it actually works. And I like George's guitar solo.
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Thanks Mairi. Bombastic was the word. I withdraw my sincerity objection.
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To each his own, but I'll take a simple, positive message that everyone can relate to every now and then over gibberish about newspaper taxis that appear on the shore at any time.
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I think this song is incredibly beautiful and very sincere. I don't think Paul was doing anything but writing a song that really meant something to him. To me it sounds like it does and actually I love the production, I think it's probably one of the most spiritual songs, if not the most spiritual song, the Beatles put out(I know about George but honestly I don't identify much with his brand of spirituality so for me this fits more what I think of as spiritual and I don't mean because Mother Mary to some has Christian connotations). At least up there with Hey Jude even if not quite that level.
The message is simple and powerful I think and I think it's something most people can identify with.
But then again, I've never particularly doubted Paul's sincerity. I think even most of those lightweight goofy songs are still sincere on his part
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I enjoy this song, but I really, really dislike the production on it. I'll take the naked version or the Anthology (my personal favorite) version over the album or single anyday.
Even still, it's not one of my favorite Beatles songs, it just doesn't affect me strongly.
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I absolutely adore the song!
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nice little dirge...i love it as well.....
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The Beatles -Let It Be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9SgDoypXcI#)
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Anyone know where I can get that version? With the line "There will be no sorrow"?
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it is the twickenham studio version i think....
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Let it Be Beatles Hahst az son session (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLDz_yjim_k#)not this one tho
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To address the question of Paul's sincerity, this song has always struck me as ironic because, despite its obvious religious/Christian connotations, Paul is the only one of the Beatles who has consistently called himself an agnostic. In fact, I believe that he has described the extent of his religious conviction as some sort of nebulous feeling that there is "some sort" of a force and that Linda and John are out there "somewhere." (Doubtless, one of you will procure a quote that will prove me wrong...)
Anyway, despite that irony... and despite the fact that Let It Be is pure Paul cornballness ("and when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree" :P), I still think it is a lovely song. Beautiful tune, simple message... and, yes, sometimes the wisest thing we can do is just "let it be."
...and "You Know My Name" ~ cut 'em some slack. They gave us so much for so long. They were entitled....
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I think Let It Be is a beautiful song. I guess I've always been a sucker for Paul's ballads. I love the guitar solo too.
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It never touched me. But I recognize its meaning.
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Paul is the only one of the Beatles who has consistently called himself an agnostic. In fact, I believe that he has described the extent of his religious conviction as some sort of nebulous feeling that there is "some sort" of a force and that Linda and John are out there "somewhere." (Doubtless, one of you will procure a quote that will prove me wrong...)
:) Paul also said that he thought a hooting owl outside his window was the spirit of George Harrison, telling him a song was okay. But then again he had an album to shift and no doubt evoking the image of other beatles helped him shift a few more units. Never take stoners too seriously.
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Harsh comment kevin!!^^but I laughed.
I think the reason they put such a totally pants song on as b side to LIB was that self-mocking insinct that so many Brits have. Hey look guys, we've done something that everyone will think is really good, better mock ourselves before anyone else does!
LIB in my opinion (and after all that's what we're here for isn't it) is Paul not trying hard enough. He often does these songs that kind of mean something vague and big and deep , and are a bit universal, but they frustrate on close analysis because there's not a lot there after all. I often feel he's a clever kid who knocked out some homework that was only good because he's clever and gets away with it, rather than cos he worked at it. Not very well expressed for an opinion but I'm meant to be somewhere else at the mo, so am rushing this post!
I think the spiritual element is at least half there because of the churchy kind of musical feel. It's as much to do with the sound as the words. Oh and he had to namedrop in Mary as well. Tho my kids pop his pompous bubble by singing about Goldilocks and the 3 bears: Mother Bear she comforts me , they sing loudly to block out the real words, and carry on about porridge.
Maybe I'm Amazed, for example, shows that Paul could 'feel it' for real, he could express deep held feelings and he could combine lyric and music to powerful but specifically meaningful result. It's a song you can understand exactly what he means, whereas LIB is more general and vague.
I do like LIB though, specially when those big eyes look into mine and he sings it just for me.......
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great comment cubanheel (re. maybe im amazed)
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some people i know who dont speak english have some 'best of' beatles cd's.
they love l.i.b. - it's incredibly catchy and a straight out hit !
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@you know my name - brian jones on saxaphone ?!? cool !
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(http://www.rarebeatles.com/photopg3/cd5sing/cd15917.jpg)
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LIB in my opinion (and after all that's what we're here for isn't it) is Paul not trying hard enough. He often does these songs that kind of mean something vague and big and deep , and are a bit universal, but they frustrate on close analysis because there's not a lot there after all. I often feel he's a clever kid who knocked out some homework that was only good because he's clever and gets away with it, rather than cos he worked at it.
Awesome. Well said.
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just listened again
the single version features linda on backing vocals - what's that about
john plays bass.
billy preston can't be overlooked
ringo and george deliver as usual !!
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the lyrics are like a fill in the blank hallmark card but paul is such a soulful vocalist it really doesn't matter what he says
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speaking of soul . .
i'm not much for new music but jenifer hudson owns this
let it be jennifer hudson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cochUkvMBM#)
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ok, i listened to jennifer hudson again - her voice is so true
when she says 'mother mary comes to me and says daughter let it be'?
if you didn't know, jennifer's mom (and brother) were shot dead by her sister's extranged husband the other year
that's deep
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paul is not hallmark card in his lyrics
he told the world - even though its a religious sounding song, that's not virgin mary, that is HIS mother who came to him in a dream.
so it's like he's saying he lost his mom but she's still with him
this is the song for people who lost their mom
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compare that to john's solo 'mother you had me but i never had you' - which is more like an intellectualized play on words
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i love this song! rest in peace Mary McCartney . .(and Julia and Jennifer's mom Darnell) :)
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this is the song for people who lost their mom
It certainly went on when I lost mine....that's for sure.
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I like Let It Be more today than I did when it was released. At the time, it was hard to relate to this song considering the war in Viet Nam and everything else going on in the life of a nineteen year old. At one point, I viewed this song as The Beatles' "swan song" and accepted it as such. I was resigned to the fact that there would be no more Beatles records. And then came The Beatles Again album. :)
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I asked my 77 year-old dad to name any Beatles song and he said I Wanna Hold Your Hand. (That's what I would have guessed.)
I asked my 51 year-old cousin who grew up in a non English-speaking country halfway across the globe the same question... he said "Let It Be."
I dunno if that means anything. But I think it kind of does. ???
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I asked my 77 year-old dad to name any Beatles song and he said I Wanna Hold Your Hand. (That's what I would have guessed.)
I asked my 51 year-old cousin who grew up in a non English-speaking country halfway across the globe the same question... he said "Let It Be."
I dunno if that means anything. But I think it kind of does. ???
Yeah. Being 52 myself, I remember very specifically the times that surrounded the last Beatles 45 RPM… it also meant something like the end of a dream, men had set foot on the moon and everyone was asking what’s next… much more than when it all began.
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I dunno if that means anything. But I think it kind of does. ???
Yes. It means you know at least two people who can name Beatle songs. :)
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In Lennon's Playboy interview in 1980, he disavowed any involvement with composing the song.
“ That's Paul. What can you say? Nothing to do with the Beatles. It could've been Wings. I don't know what he's thinking when he writes "Let It Be". I think it was inspired by "Bridge over Troubled Waters". That's my feeling, although I have nothing to go on. I know that he wanted to write a "Bridge over Troubled Waters"
But as Ian MacDonald explained, Lennon is wrong about "Bridge over Troubled Water" being McCartney's inspiration: "Let It Be" was recorded approximately a year before "Bridge over Troubled Water" was released, and half a year before the latter was written.
Got the above from Wiki..
So John slagging the song off but on Antholgy 3 he says (after the song) "I think that was rather grand. I'd take one home with me" so John was actually contradicting himself, presumably to get at Paul, although I didnt think he was doing that in 1980.
Obviously there are a few versions of LIB but my firm favourite is the Spector album one which has much more prominent orchestration and the heavier guitar solo, Ive never been keen on the chorus pedal laden 'tame' solo on the single version.
I actually love the song, I think its magnificent and I love the B side, although I can see that thats a 'love or hate' song ha2ha
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Harsh comment kevin!!^^but I laughed.
I think the reason they put such a totally pants song on as b side to LIB was that self-mocking insinct that so many Brits have. Hey look guys, we've done something that everyone will think is really good, better mock ourselves before anyone else does!
LIB in my opinion (and after all that's what we're here for isn't it) is Paul not trying hard enough. He often does these songs that kind of mean something vague and big and deep , and are a bit universal, but they frustrate on close analysis because there's not a lot there after all. I often feel he's a clever kid who knocked out some homework that was only good because he's clever and gets away with it, rather than cos he worked at it. Not very well expressed for an opinion but I'm meant to be somewhere else at the mo, so am rushing this post!
I think the spiritual element is at least half there because of the churchy kind of musical feel. It's as much to do with the sound as the words. Oh and he had to namedrop in Mary as well. Tho my kids pop his pompous bubble by singing about Goldilocks and the 3 bears: Mother Bear she comforts me , they sing loudly to block out the real words, and carry on about porridge.
Maybe I'm Amazed, for example, shows that Paul could 'feel it' for real, he could express deep held feelings and he could combine lyric and music to powerful but specifically meaningful result. It's a song you can understand exactly what he means, whereas LIB is more general and vague.
I do like LIB though, specially when those big eyes look into mine and he sings it just for me.......
Interesting observations, but I don't think that being vague is necessarily a bad thing. Paul has an interesting style of writing, which sometimes comes off as impersonal. I often find myself wondering what Paul was trying to say when he wrote a certain song, but the thing is, only Paul knows exactly what any one song is about. I think his skill lies in taking something (an experience, a feeling) that is deeply personal to him, and then writing about it in such a way that people can take different things from it, and apply it to their own lives. Then of course he sometimes writes pure sh*te. But that's Paul for you.
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It don't really sound that great, I mean they're doing their thing very well and it's built a bitter sweet reputation as 'the last one' but it was time to get rid of themselves as Beatles and get shot of the recordings and that shoddy picture.
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Interesting observations, but I don't think that being vague is necessarily a bad thing. Paul has an interesting style of writing, which sometimes comes off as impersonal. I often find myself wondering what Paul was trying to say when he wrote a certain song, but the thing is, only Paul knows exactly what any one song is about. I think his skill lies in taking something (an experience, a feeling) that is deeply personal to him, and then writing about it in such a way that people can take different things from it, and apply it to their own lives.
I couldn't agree more. I don't like lyrics that are too specific. I just hate it when I hear I song, and for the first two verses I'm like, "Wow, this song could've been about me", and then in the third verse it gets all specific by mentioning a name or something, and it just ruins it for me. The best lyrics are the one that leave some room for personal interpretation.