The ‘Let It Be’ album by The Beatles was as controversial as it was creative at the time of its release. The band was on the verge of falling apart and this album was their last effort together as The Beatles. Here are 6 things about the ‘Let It Be’ album that you might not know about in honor of its 50th anniversary.

 

1) The song One After 909 was put on ‘Let it Be’, but it was actually one of Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s first collaborations together back in 1959.

-FILE- 1964-07-28 The Beatles perform during their concert at Johanneshov Stadium in Stockholm July 28 1964. The Beatles gave two concerts in Stockholm during their second visit to Sweden. From left Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
Photo Bjorn Larsson Ask / SCANPIX / kod 3022 BETALBILD

 

2) The band wanted to record the whole ‘Let It Be’ album live in front of an audience at first. Lots of interesting places were discussed with someone even mentioning the Colosseum in Rome.

 

The Beatles showing their MBE Insignias in forecourt after receiving them from the Queen. L-R Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

 

3) This initial idea of performing live and getting back to their roots as a band is what sparked the famous rooftop concert in 1969. They recorded and filmed the album cuts Get Back,One after 909 and Dig a Pony before the show was shut down by police.

 

 

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4) Before Paul McCartney released his first solo album on April 17th, Ringo was sent to McCartney’s house to ask if he’d hold off on releasing it so The Beatles could get ‘Let it Be’ out first. 

 

The Beatles: (l-r) Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon.

 

5) The title track for the album came to Paul McCartney during a dream about his dead mother. Many assume that the “mother Mary” mentioned in the song is the biblical Mary, when Paul McCartney is actually referencing his own mother. 

 

6) The song Let it Be was first given to Aretha Franklin’s producer. It’s on her “This Girl’s In Love With You” album.

epa06988732 A license plate displays ‘RESPECT’ on the font of a pink Cadillac for Aretha Franklin’s funeral procession in Detroit, Michigan, USA, 31 August 2018. Aretha Franklin, known as the Queen of Soul for many recording hits, died 16 August 2018 from pancreatic cancer and will be buried in Woodlawn Cemetery on 31 August. EPA/RENA LAVERTY

 

Tune in to the Sunday Night Vinyl Series every Sunday night at 8PM EST with host Howard Mandshein for a more in-depth look at this album and more.