1970 - June: The Beatles “Let it Be”

What this episode covers

By the time The Beatles released their twelfth and final studio album, Let It Be, the band had already broken up. Much of the recording dates back over a year, and a project that Paul McCartney developed in an attempt to save the band. The Beatles went into the studio in January 1969 to begin an album, document the development on film, and showcase the band as they return both to a simpler rock ’n’ roll style and to live performance. They started in Twickenham Film Studios, but quickly began fighting. George Harrison left the group, only returning after they agreed to returning to Apple Studios and to bringing keyboardist Billy Preston in to assist in the process. These sessions were also the ones which included the final Beatles live performance, the ”Rooftop Concert” recorded from the roof of Apple Studios on the afternoon of January 30, 1969. This concert proceeded for 42 minutes until the police arrived and instructed the group to turn the sound down. Contemporary reviews of the album were more negative than previous Beatles albums, but those critiques have been revised upwards over time. Bruce presents this album marking the end of an era for this week’s podcast. Two of Us Paul McCartney wrote most of this song which is credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership. The original idea was inspired by McCartney’s travel adventures with Linda Eastman (to whom he was married in March 1969), but it took on more meaning as a gesture of affection to John Lennon after the group broke up. I Me Mine One of the few non Lennon-McCartney songs on the album, this track was written by George Harrison. It was their last new track recorded before their official break-up in April 1970. The lyrics are a cry against the self-centeredness of mankind. The Beatles recorded it in January 1970, by which time Lennon has privately left the group, so the three remaining members recorded it. I’ve Got a Feeling This song is actually a medley of two unfinished songs. Paul McCartney wrote ”I’ve Got a Feeling,” and John Lennon wrote ”Everybody Had a Hard Year.” and the two were put together. This was recorded during the Beatles’ rooftop concert in January 1969 with Billy Preston on electric piano. Get Back The concluding song from the album is unusual. because almost every moment of the song’s development was recorded from the first riff to final mixing. The concluding quip from John Lennon regarding hope that ”we passed the audition,” was taken from the Rooftop Concert and worked in by Phil Spector. It was originally released as a single a year before in April 1969, and credited to ”The Beatles with Billy Preston.” ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: ”Burning Bridges” (Main theme from the action comedy film Kelly’s Heroes) STAFF PICKS: Question by The Moody Blues Lynch brings us a song in multiple movements. The frantic phase represents the question of why we must go to war, while the more subdued section represents love and peace. Proper Stranger by The Guess Who Rob features a deeper cut from the Canadian band off their ”American Woman” album. The lyrics depict the feelings of being alone in a big city where ”Nobody knows my face or knows my name. 50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain by by Ten Years After Wayne takes us on another deep cut. This one is a psychedelic journey with the group that gets its name from their being founded ten years after Elvis’s start. Baby Hold On by The Grass Roots Bruce closes the staff picks with a group that was big from 1965-1985. The Grass Roots originated in 1965 as a project between the duo P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: Genesis by Tangerine Dream We close out this week’s podcast with an early industrial track from the future jazz fusion giants.