And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me/
Shine until tomorrow, let it be.

Listening again to The Beatles “Let it Be”, I am especially impressed with Ringo’s drum work. It is nuanced: the typical 4/4 patterns would have done just fine, but there are several unconventional sounds and beats when you listen closely. It is half good production, half good drum work. George’s guitar work is also great. His solo and guitar fills liven up what is really a piano song.

“Let it Be” has always felt larger than life—in a way—to me: similar in a way to a folk song or classical music tune that seems to have been written before time.

So which version is the best? I think the Past Masters version is the closest to the best version, but there are aspects in each that I like. In Phil Spector’s version, I think George’s solo sounds the best that it does in any version. However, the high-hat sounds a bit off. In the Naked version, the organ is mixed too high in the middle, but during the rest of the song it sounds great. The Past Masters version—produced by George Martin—seems to have the fewest glaring weaknesses.

The song does not stand out lyrically, but it captures a nice sentiment. The song borders on religious sentiment, but I think that it is mostly a mistake on our end. It is due to us thinking the “Mother Mary” in the song is the biblical Mary, when really it is his mother, and also, we associate organs with church.

Let it Be Lyrics

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, 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, yeah, 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
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

written by lennon/mccartney