May 2009 - Let It Be

Although I was born in 1962, the decade of disco has always been my favorite. I have many childhood memories of growing up in the 1970s and I enjoy sharing these memories with my children.

THE BEATLES

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past several decades, you have probably heard of the Beatles. A pop rock band from Liverpool, England, the Beatles rocked the American music scene and continues to influence musicians today. During the highlight of the bands career, the Beatles primarily consisted of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals).

The Beatles were an instant hit from the first moment they took the stage on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. At that time, an unprecedented 74 million people watched the American debut of the Beatles. American teenagers tried to mimic the Beatles in every way, from the clothing to the hair styles to the slang they used.

Although mainly rooted in rock and roll, the Beatles worked with many different musical genres, including Tin Pan Alley and psychedelic rock. Formed in 1960, the Beatles announced their breakup in April 1970 and the final dissolution came in 1975. After their breakup, the band members went on to have successful solo careers.

The Beatles last “official” album - "Let It Be" - was released on May 8, 1970, 39 years ago. There has been heated controversy through the years about this last album, because most of “Let It Be” was recorded in January 1969, before the recording and release of the album, “Abbey Road.” Many critics and fans alike, argue “Abbey Road” should be considered the group’s final album. “Let It Be” was originally intended to be released prior to “Abbey Road” under the title “Get Back,” but the group was not happy with this version of the album, so it was temporarily put on hold.

The album was later overdubbed and remixed by Phil Spector and finally released as “Let It Be.” This album is a soundtrack album for the 1970 movie of the same name. The “Let It Be” movie is a documentary film of the band rehearsing and recording the album.

The songs on “Let It Be” include: Side One: “Two of Us”, “Dig a Pony,” “Across the Universe,” “I Me Mine,” “Dig It,” “Let It Be,” and “Maggie Mae.” Side Two: “I’ve Got a Feeling,” “One after 909,” “The Long and Winding Road,” “For You Blue,” and “Get Back.”

“Let It Be”
“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.
For 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, .....

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, .....”