A time of love, a time of hate/
A time of war, a time of peace/
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing.

Did you know the lyrics from “Turn, Turn, Turn” might be the oldest of any of the songs on the list? Pete Seeger actually borrowed them from the Bible (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The message is that there is a time for everything, so do things in their due time…and be patient. Again we have the Byrds adapting a folk song and making it into a Rock song in order to gain a wider audience. Before, we saw them do that with My Back Pages by Bob Dylan.

“Turn Turn Turn” has all the signature hallmarks of a Byrds song. The blended melodies with no signature lead singer. The unique guitar sound created by Roger McGuin’s 12-string Rickenbacher- who would go on to be more famous for his work with The Band. And of course, it is a cover. The Byrds could never break through with a transcendent hit of their own to rivals their covers (the closest the got was Eight Miles High). Still, there sound is so unique and influential that we remember their contributions highly.

Turn, Turn, Turn Lyrics

To everything (turn, turn, turn),
There is a season (turn, turn, turn).
And a time to every purpose, under heaven.

A time to be born, a time to die,
A time to plant, a time to reap.
A time to kill, a time to heal,
A time to laugh, a time to weep.

To everything (turn, turn, turn),
There is a season (turn, turn, turn).
And a time to every purpose, under heaven.

A time to build up, a time to break down,
A time to dance, a time to mourn;
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together.

To everything (turn, turn, turn),
There is a season (turn, turn, turn).
And a time to every purpose, under heaven.

A time of love, a time of hate,
A time of war, a time of peace;
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing.

To everything (turn, turn, turn),
There is a season (turn, turn, turn).
And a time to every purpose, under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose,
A time to rend, a time to sew.
A time for love, a time for hate,
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late.

Songwriters: Peter Seeger

Don’t give up until you drink from the silver cup/
And ride that highway in the sky.

“Lonely People” is written by America: a three-man songwriting group consisting of Dan Peek, Dewey Bunnell & Gerry Beckley. Each had hits; I prefer Beckley, though this is probably America’s best song. “Lonely People” was written by Dan Peek (and his wife Cathie) who would leave ultimately leave America to do Christian music exclusively.

Like Spirit in the Sky, “Lonely People” is a religious song hidden in a rock song. (The silver cup is a symbol in Christianity.) I think of these two songs as the pioneers of modern Christian music. Even if you don’t get the Christian symbolism, a song “for the lonely people” obviously has appeal as all people have felt lonely. “Don’t give up” is a good message.

America’s “Lonely People” has many standout musical parts. The bass intro is great. The harmonica is used both as a solo and as an accompanying instrument. It sounds good. The piano solo sounds great! It sounds straight out of the 1900s burlesque. I can imagine women in huge ruffled skirts getting up on tables dancing while some guy plays an upright piano in a bar: it has that ragtime feel. The background harmonies are interesting. They sound almost dissonant, but it works.

Lonely People Lyrics

This is for all the lonely people,
Thinking that life has passed them by.
Don’t give up until you drink from the silver cup,
And ride that highway in the sky.

This is for all the single people,
Thinking that love has left them dry.
Don’t give up until you drink from the silver cup,
You never know until you try.

Well, I’m on my way.
Yes, I’m back to stay.
Well, I’m on my way back home,
“Hit it, Jerry”.

This is for all the lonely people,
Thinking that life has passed them by.
Don’t give up until you drink from the silver cup,
She’ll never take you down or never give you up.
You’ll never know until you try.

Songwriters: Dan Peek / Cathie Peek

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