Let It Be by The Beatles

Let It Be is the twelfth and final studio album to be released by the English rock band the Beatles. While 1969's Abbey Road was the last album recorded by the Beatles, Let It Be was the last one they released, having been recorded just prior to "Abbey Road." It was released on 8 May 1970, almost a month after the group's break-up. Like most of the band's previous releases, it was a number one album in many countries, including both the US and the UK, and was released in tandem with the motion picture of the same name. Let It Be was Beatles member Paul McCartney's "last-ditch attempt … to re-energize the splintering band", as music journalist Greg Kot recounted, noting the "back-to-basics rock 'n' roll setting" pursued for the album. The recording sessions proved disastrous, however, resulting in one of the most controversial rock albums ever.The album was conceived at a time when the band's members grew increasingly hostile to each other, impeding their creative process. It was recorded and projected for release (under its original title of Get Back) before their album Abbey Road (1969); for this reason, some critics and fans, such as Mark Lewisohn, argue that Abbey Road should be considered the group's final album and Let It Be the penultimate. Rehearsals began at Twickenham Film Studios in January 1969 as part of a planned documentary showing the Beatles preparing to return to live performance. The filmed rehearsals were marked by ill-feeling, leading to George Harrison's temporary departure from the group. As a condition of his return, the Beatles reconvened at their own Apple Studio, where they completed the recordings with the help of guest musician Billy Preston. Following several rejected mixes by Glyn Johns, a new version of the album was produced by Phil Spector in March–April 1970. While three songs from the sessions were released as singles before the album's release, "Get Back"/"Don't Let Me Down" and "Let It Be", the songs were remixed by Spector for the album and "Don't Let Me Down" was not included. Let It Be... Naked was released in 2003, an alternative version of the album, without any of Spector's production work and using some different takes of songs.