Paul voice seems to break and weep as the song is delivered . This song was the last hurrah of the Beatles, a song of farewell, and for Paul personally was his way to say goodbye to his band mates closing the era of the Beatles. Really it's an ode to heartbreak
The Long and Winding Road always makes me weep, for several very personal reasons. I love the Beatles, I couldn't have gotten through many times in my life, especially the painful ones, without their music. They have been the soundtrack of my life.
Sadness , exhaustion on a journey to reach someone , filled with loneliness and tears yet they never give up, a sense of abandonment and a pleading to that person to help to let him know the way to be with them again.
I cannot even get to the first 15 seconds without weeping. It reminds me of my small girls who are now adults and gone and their father, who is married to someone else. It still gets tpe as we all loved and adored the beatles.
My love passed 4 years ago and when I hear it I feel like you left me standing here a long long time ago don’t leave me waiting here, lead me to your door. I think that when your loved one has passed you want to know how to find them once more!☮️❤️
A masterpiece. As many have said, there are two versions of this song, both gorgeous, but for different reasons. You owe it to yourself to listen to both and try to hold back a tear or two.
I was blessed to be growing up in West London as each Beatles song was released. Add to that all the other songs by the other groups and it was an indescribable time. Also, London was Heaven to me in those days. It seemed almost the centre of the world.
If you really want to get a feel for The Beatles you need to go back to their first album and go through them chronologically. You'll see them during full Beatlemania and follow them as their music progresses.
Absolutely, the best way is to start at the beginning with their first album and going chronologically through to their last album, to really appreciate how they evolved and progressed with their music, which was ALL wonderful, and different from each other.
They were exhausted, sad, and tired by the end of their career. This comes from the album Let It Be and was produced by famous (later infamous) producer Phil Spector, over Paul's objections. In fact, this song was originally recorded with a sparser arrangement of instruments and afterward, Phil added the increased orchestration and choral voices. Spector's musical trademark was his "wall of sound" where he would add extra layers of sound until it became a dense, orchestral piece. Paul didn't want anyone toying around with the Beatles sound, let alone one of *his* songs and absolutely *hated* this arrangement for it. Paul has re-recorded it several times over the years, and in later years, they took some of the original recordings to release in 2003 the "Let It Be - Naked" album, where all of Spector's add-ons to various songs were removed and the songs became more like what was the original intention.
All Beatles under 29 when they recorded this. A few weeks later, they started recording Abbey Road and Ringo had turned 29. Then they broke up with George still just 26
With respect, what I realized about this video is that being a young adult, you can never hear this as your 9-12 year old self and then bring it with you all your life. not a knock but I've lived with this song all my life. To me, the music and lyrics are mournful, yet cleansing.
I was really intrigued by your thought. I’ve always been very interested in the context of what was going on in the world when a song came out. We oldsters experienced this music as new and compelling-probably not thinking about how it would become the stuff of legend. Younger people meeting this music now already aware it’s considered legendary and then learning why upon a listen. Maybe adding a little respect for the past as a cherry on top. ❤
Thank you for highlighting the exhaustion aspect! I never reflected on that, but it seems obvious now that you mentioned it. Great song, great reaction.
Two versions of this song. This one is Phil Spector's version with his signature "Wall of Sound" The original is the one I prefer from the "Let it Be Naked" LP.
I LOVE THIS version better than the "naked" one, I love violins (my dad was a violinist and I miss hearing him play), and their inclusion here just makes the song more beautiful and so much more emotional.
Bro you nailed the lyrics. That's exactly my interpretation too. The long and winding road is a lonely road, an endless, exhausting, repetitive road. I really like your analysis.
When someone now adays pasees by beatles references and doesn't know they did amazes me. When they finally dive in to the Beatles, the music, their story, a whole world opens up and a new bright shine appears in a person's eyes. It always amazing to see someone find the lads.
this happened to me, not knowing who or what the beatles were other than hearing of them but them just being in the back of my mind, then I chose to listen to them after studying 3 sgt peppers songs for school exams and recognised like 30 songs from their discography on my "first listen". Keeping in mind I never properly listened to music or anything prior its amazing how much they did that has spread out across all formats and culture
I took them for granted all these years, I'd heard their music all the time. I never really "Listened" until now. They are the greatest thing to ever happen to music. And I'm a metalhead.
@@walkawaycat431 I grew up listening to them as a kid. All the albums movies books you can find I had haha. Paul's helter skelter got me into metal grunge and punk haha. Those 4 guys knew what they were doing haha.
We didn't know at the time but this song marked the end of an era. It was just another song Back Then but now I cry when I hear it. Because it's my own youth that's fading away
Hey bro. Wow this is great!!! So beautiful man. Hey, thank you for your hard work with these videos. It’s a pleasure to watch you react to great music!
Watching the Get Back Documentary showes Paul actually writing this song. I love just watching Paul playing the piano and singing this. I feel like Phil Spector's "wall of sound" almost overshadows Paul's voice.
This is one of my fave songs . Check out Oh Darling ,it's a doowop 50s sound they do grt and also Motown covers like Please Mr Postman by the Marvellettes they do brill
I've just read a reply that you will be doing Abbey Rd . Make sure when you do the Abbey Rd Medley you do it all together , because they are all unfinished song's put together as a Medley, and what a job they did you'll love it . I've seen bands like The Sheffield Beatles live doing it , It was brill even school choirs in US and UK I've watched perform on TH-cam
/ I absolutely love your interpretation of this music. You really seem to pick up on the sublties. I mean noting the conflicting feelings between the musical arrangement and the lyrics is brilliant! And you do this a lot! I've been very impressed with your reactions🙂
great to see the younger generation discover the true greats. The Beatles were even before my time (im 46) but even our generation didnt appreciate them and look what we turned music into, which lead to the utter garbage they call mainstream music these days.
The Beatles' original concept for the "Let It Be" album was to record everything live in front of an audience-just the band performing, without studio trickery. The live recording idea was partially abandoned, although some songs were recorded live during the band's famous concert on the rooftop of the recording studio. The original 1969 mix of this song done by engineer Glyn Johns is much more spare and showcases Paul's voice and the piano. When the album was released in the US, the American label remixed it, and producer Phil Spector (known for his "wall of sound") added lush instrumentation and a celestial choir. You were correct in pointing out the disconnect between the mood of Paul's voice and lyrics and the soaring background music. Paul was appalled when he heard how Spector had augmented the recordings, because Spector had done it without the band's knowledge or permission. You can hear Glyn Johns's original mix for the song here: th-cam.com/video/MsozPkmRYBU/w-d-xo.html. The documentary "The Beatles: Get Back" (streaming on Disney+) includes more than 8 hours of footage of the band as they are writing and recording the songs on the "Let It Be" album and a few from their "Abbey Road" album, including the full rooftop concert. All of the songs on the album were finished and recorded in about three weeks!
Hey Nancy, thanks for the knowledge. I feel once I listen to the album all the dots will be connected now that you've given me that background information. Will check out Glyn John's version! The fact that album was made in 3 weeks is so impressive! I can't wait to listen to the Abbey Road Album
The song was about the Beatles Breaking up and their long and winding Road. Phil Spector produced this song and made the Lush instrumentation against Paul's wishes, who wanted just a simple piano accompaniment to it.
Mate you’ve probably chosen the 2 best tunes from this album, both by Paul McCartney. If you do the Abbey Road album probably the 2 best are Come Together by John Lennon and Something by George Harrison. Both incredible tunes. So many good songs over the years, mainly the later stuff is better and mainly Lennon was the better songwriter overall in my personal opinion but McCartney smashes it out of the park with these 2 on Let It Be. Good videos you’ve done bro.
This has a beautiful video when they made this song, last song they did together, it’s very emotional, it was very sad when they broke up, that’s what the song is about
You got it right, Paul's lyrics have a melancholy aspect to them. It was the worst period for band relationships, they were growing up and apart and all had partners, which had changed the dynamic of their old friendships in a fundamental way. I interpret it, if not directly but subconsciously, as his personal take on The Beatles being on the long road, metaphorically and literally, and being bound to each other. Paul, of all The Beatles was the eternal optimist, the one who had always felt they could work through any communication problems they were having, and to keep the band alive. I think this is his realisation that things were drawing to a close, and taking some reflective time and solace in his Scottish countryside retreat. Here he does sound desperate that whatever he tried now just brought them back to a stalemate, and they couldn't progress in the way they had always found easy in the past. The long road had become a cul -de-sac for the rest of the band. However, there was still the glimmer of hope that their friendship would always remain, however things turned out, they had shared so much together that no one else could really comprehend outside of the band. The big arrangement was Phil Spector's, who I feel went over the top. Although beautiful in itself, it is rather sugary and an imposition on Paul's song, if their old friend and producer George Martin had been allowed to make his own arrangement, I believe it would have been more tasteful and sympathetic. Spector's efforts make it sound like a Disney soundtrack. I prefer the alternative mix that McCartney did on 'Let it be - Naked' , which deleted all of Spector's over production.
Thank you so much for commenting and sharing the knowledge, I completely agree with your take! I'm adding the alternative mix to the list right now, i need to hear that!
I find the version on "Wings Over America" to be the superior version. His vocals are much better and the horn arrangements are far superior to Phil Spector's "wall of sound". His piano intro to the song is amazing. Give it a listen!!
I love your Beatle reactions! I would love to see you check out their album “Revolver”. It’s the one before Sgt. Pepper. It’s my all-time favorite record!!
Don't want to put you off Let it Be but the album.is nearly the end but Abbey Road Lp really is the end. It would put this song into better context if you listen to the real final act of the Beatles. Sad to say dissolution was just around the corner with the band's break up
Nothing like The Beatles!! But do yourself a favor & listen to their work chronologically first, then go back & relisten to whatever you want. That would probably include the entire Beatles' library but give yourself a chance to watch them grow & evolve as musicians, singers, & songwriters. In the very short time they were actually The Beatles--1962-1970--their progress in all areas is astounding, and being able to follow their trajectory into literal Knighthood is a listening wonderland, one of the most joyous experiences you'll ever know. Take the journey. You'll be so glad you did. One of my favorites from the earliest days is I'll Get You, good old rock-n-roll by Lennon/McCartney. In My Life is one of best from the mid-Beatles, along with Here, There, & Everywhere. While My Guitar Gently Weeps, written by George Harrison, came later & was the beginning of "hard" rock, & it's a masterpiece. So is another of George's songs, Something, which is so incredible, even Frank Sinatra called it 'one of the greatest love songs ever written." There's so, soooo much more from the 7-year-span, & I'm sure you'll love it all, & I hope for your sake, you'll allow yourself to hear it in order of release. And one other certainty about The Beatles -- if there's any specific genre of music you prefer, chances are great you'l;l find it among the songs of The Beatles. You can never be sure what you're about to hear when you put on a new song of theirs. So great, so diverse!!!!
If you like getting emotional over music, check out James Blunt's "Monsters" or Martina McBride's "Concrete Angel" - both are amazing and emotional in different ways. Look forward to you reacting to them.
I love this song, but I much prefer the "naked" version (which I believe is how Paul always wanted it mixed). Phil Spector's "wall of sound" masks George's guitar and Ringo's drum and with Paul's piano and beautiful vocals, that's all this song really needs. Here is the link to that version: ww.th-cam.com/video/lfVAJNqWw84/w-d-xo.html
Phil Spector produced this song and added most of the orchestration (harp, chorus, etc.) I’ve always liked it, but Paul McCartney hated this arrangement. You can find simpler, more “stripped down” versions from Paul, esp. on the “Let It Be - Naked” album from about 2003. Listen and see which version you prefer. In all cases, though, it is a great song.
Don't let me stand in here 'Lead Me To Your Door' in my opinion Paul means the door of his loved person but also asking God that at the end leads him to his door so he can enter Heaven, also in the song "let it be" the reference to Mother Mary many thought he was referring to Mary the mother of Jesus Christ coming to him in his dream and with words of wisdom telling him let it be my son everything would be alright at the same time his real flesh and bones mother also was named Mary who had been dead for a long time besides been geniuses there are many mysteries about the Beatles involving faith/God, that many think including me that God not only created them but put them together for a reason?
You listend to the wrong recording! That dog's breakfast of a production was done by Phil Spector after the original recording. You need to listen to "The Long And Winding Road (Naked Version)". It becomes a totally different song without Spector's eight violins, four violas, four cellos, three trumpets, three trombones, two guitars, and a choir of fourteen women!
Maybe it's a HYMM. You know, like to the LORD rather than to his girl. Maybe he has lived too long and desires to go to his maker ? The door being HEAVEN.
I'm a huge Beatles fan but this song is one of those that I just don't connect with. Like, as a singer and musician, I can totally appreciate the song writing, the chord progressions and melodies, Paul's voice--he's one of the most underrated singers. (I'd say of the Fab Four, he was the greatest all-around musician.) But I just don't connect with this one.
Personally as a massive Beatles fan I always thought this song was overrated. It’s an incredible song don’t get me wrong. But I don’t think it’s the masterpiece it is held up to be.
This is a bad version of this song….. the record was taken over by a guy Phil Spector…… this was when the Beatles were breaking up and Spector got ahold of the tapes and completely ruined them….. that orchestra and the cheezey choir were added by Spector….. McCartney hated it but there was nothing he could do about it at that point at that point….
The funny thing is that McCartney hated the orchestration that was added by Phil Spector and fought against it. But, in the grand scheme of The Beatles breaking up around that time and all of their legal battles, Spector pretty much ruled the Let It Be production. Years later McCartney would push for the Let It Be: Naked album, which was the album as he intended it to be, without the Phil Spector influences. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Be..._Naked Check out Peter Jackson's The Beatles: Get Back. The whole concept of the album was The Beatles live on tape, without any production gimmicks.
The Beatles are EARTH's TREASURE!!
I wouldn't go that far, they've only sold 600 million records, nobody even listens to them!!
@@petepotaczek2534 Ha Ha!! 😁🤟✌
@@petepotaczek2534 800 million and still going,and u are listening, lol
Paul voice seems to break and weep as the song is delivered . This song was the last hurrah of the Beatles, a song of farewell, and for Paul personally was his way to say goodbye to his band mates closing the era of the Beatles. Really it's an ode to heartbreak
The Long and Winding Road always makes me weep, for several very personal reasons. I love the Beatles, I couldn't have gotten through many times in my life, especially the painful ones, without their music. They have been the soundtrack of my life.
I certainly understand that!! 😢😃
Me to😂
Phil Spectors version makes this beautiful song what it was.
Sadness , exhaustion on a journey to reach someone , filled with loneliness and tears yet they never give up, a sense of abandonment and a pleading to that person to help to let him know the way to be with them again.
I cannot even get to the first 15 seconds without weeping. It reminds me of my small girls who are now adults and gone and their father, who is married to someone else. It still gets tpe as we all loved and adored the beatles.
So beautiful..stay strong..❤
Its rain washing the tears away!!
This is REAL MUSIC!
Most of their songs are masterpieces
i read somewhere it was pauls disguised plea to lennon to stay in the beatles with him -and regain the level of friendship they once had as teenagers
In this music John Lennon played the bass !! Wow!! Congratulacions from São Paulo - Brasil .
My love passed 4 years ago and when I hear it I feel like you left me standing here a long long time ago don’t leave me waiting here, lead me to your door. I think that when your loved one has passed you want to know how to find them once more!☮️❤️
So sorry for your loss, it's amazing how music transcends and brings you to particular places. All the Best
A masterpiece. As many have said, there are two versions of this song, both gorgeous, but for different reasons. You owe it to yourself to listen to both and try to hold back a tear or two.
The beauty of the undetermined lyrics is that they can speak to one on an individual basis. Everyone hears it a bit differently.
I was blessed to be growing up in West London as each Beatles song was released. Add to that all the other songs by the other groups and it was an indescribable time. Also, London was Heaven to me in those days. It seemed almost the centre of the world.
If you really want to get a feel for The Beatles you need to go back to their first album and go through them chronologically. You'll see them during full Beatlemania and follow them as their music progresses.
Absolutely, the best way is to start at the beginning with their first album and going chronologically through to their last album, to really appreciate how they evolved and progressed with their music, which was ALL wonderful, and different from each other.
The Beatles are the best ❤
They were exhausted, sad, and tired by the end of their career. This comes from the album Let It Be and was produced by famous (later infamous) producer Phil Spector, over Paul's objections. In fact, this song was originally recorded with a sparser arrangement of instruments and afterward, Phil added the increased orchestration and choral voices. Spector's musical trademark was his "wall of sound" where he would add extra layers of sound until it became a dense, orchestral piece. Paul didn't want anyone toying around with the Beatles sound, let alone one of *his* songs and absolutely *hated* this arrangement for it. Paul has re-recorded it several times over the years, and in later years, they took some of the original recordings to release in 2003 the "Let It Be - Naked" album, where all of Spector's add-ons to various songs were removed and the songs became more like what was the original intention.
I still love this with the lush orchestration.
A great quote from their producer was " Produced by George Martin. Over- produced by Phil Spector. " A lovely song by Paul!
All Beatles under 29 when they recorded this. A few weeks later, they started recording Abbey Road and Ringo had turned 29. Then they broke up with George still just 26
I've always felt that this song was meant for John....it's just so fitting.
That's why he sing in the end: Yeah Yeah Yeah
With respect, what I realized about this video is that being a young adult, you can never hear this as your 9-12 year old self and then bring it with you all your life. not a knock but I've lived with this song all my life. To me, the music and lyrics are mournful, yet cleansing.
The older I get the more I like this song, especially the naked version.
I see it as the most perfect of perfect pop
I was really intrigued by your thought. I’ve always been very interested in the context of what was going on in the world when a song came out. We oldsters experienced this music as new and compelling-probably not thinking about how it would become the stuff of legend. Younger people meeting this music now already aware it’s considered legendary and then learning why upon a listen. Maybe adding a little respect for the past as a cherry on top. ❤
I prefer the Spector version to any of the other versions
Such a beautiful song. 🌺✌️
The lasting beauty of this song is found in the orchestrations. The strings, horns, and placed a just the right moments. Beautiful. A masterpiece.
Fool on the hill is another thoughtful song. Thanks for checking this out.
Adding that to the list!! Thanks for giving this a watch
Of the two versions, I admit I prefer the Phil Spector's version with the orchestra added. There I said it.
Agree 100%!
When Paul wrote it, he said he either needed to get the words out (in a song) or go into therapy...
Thank you for highlighting the exhaustion aspect! I never reflected on that, but it seems obvious now that you mentioned it. Great song, great reaction.
Two versions of this song. This one is Phil Spector's version with his signature "Wall of Sound" The original is the one I prefer from the "Let it Be Naked" LP.
Yes. Nothing better could be done with that part of the song. The Naked version strikes me as more like "un-finished".
I LOVE THIS version better than the "naked" one, I love violins (my dad was a violinist and I miss hearing him play), and their inclusion here just makes the song more beautiful and so much more emotional.
I much prefer the "naked" version too. This song foes not need Spector"s wall of sound.
Bro you nailed the lyrics. That's exactly my interpretation too. The long and winding road is a lonely road, an endless, exhausting, repetitive road. I really like your analysis.
When someone now adays pasees by beatles references and doesn't know they did amazes me. When they finally dive in to the Beatles, the music, their story, a whole world opens up and a new bright shine appears in a person's eyes. It always amazing to see someone find the lads.
this happened to me, not knowing who or what the beatles were other than hearing of them but them just being in the back of my mind, then I chose to listen to them after studying 3 sgt peppers songs for school exams and recognised like 30 songs from their discography on my "first listen". Keeping in mind I never properly listened to music or anything prior its amazing how much they did that has spread out across all formats and culture
I took them for granted all these years, I'd heard their music all the time. I never really "Listened" until now. They are the greatest thing to ever happen to music. And I'm a metalhead.
@@walkawaycat431 I grew up listening to them as a kid. All the albums movies books you can find I had haha. Paul's helter skelter got me into metal grunge and punk haha. Those 4 guys knew what they were doing haha.
We didn't know at the time but this song marked the end of an era. It was just another song Back Then but now I cry when I hear it. Because it's my own youth that's fading away
And don't always try to totally understand, sometimes you just feel😊
This is the advice i needed :)
The Beatles and Queen
They Rock my WORLD!!
To me, the instrumentation sounds beautiful but neutral or even sad.
Hey bro. Wow this is great!!! So beautiful man. Hey, thank you for your hard work with these videos. It’s a pleasure to watch you react to great music!
That means a lot Joshua, Thanks for giving the videos a watch. Its much appreciated!
Great reaction!
Yeah yeah yeah yeah! Always Beatles!☮️❤️
Lush, thoughtful. It will continue to be meaningful as you meet and leave people, as you reconnect, as you long for those you used to know and love.
Watching the Get Back Documentary showes Paul actually writing this song. I love just watching Paul playing the piano and singing this. I feel like Phil Spector's "wall of sound" almost overshadows Paul's voice.
This is one of my fave songs . Check out Oh Darling ,it's a doowop 50s sound they do grt and also Motown covers like Please Mr Postman by the Marvellettes they do brill
Adding to the list!!
I've just read a reply that you will be doing Abbey Rd . Make sure when you do the Abbey Rd Medley you do it all together , because they are all unfinished song's put together as a Medley, and what a job they did you'll love it . I've seen bands like The Sheffield Beatles live doing it , It was brill even school choirs in US and UK I've watched perform on TH-cam
/
I absolutely love your interpretation of this music. You really seem to pick up on the sublties. I mean noting the conflicting feelings between the musical arrangement and the lyrics is brilliant! And you do this a lot! I've been very impressed with your reactions🙂
Me too. Bravo...
What a wonderful reaction :) Good journey...Peace!
Spot on interpretation
great to see the younger generation discover the true greats. The Beatles were even before my time (im 46) but even our generation didnt appreciate them and look what we turned music into, which lead to the utter garbage they call mainstream music these days.
Really enjoy your reactions you know when That came out I was college age and it’s a very emotional song
Can't wait for the next beatles journey
Until l heard this reaction l never noticed that yes Paul does sound like he Was going to break into tears..his voice IS breaking..wow..good pick up
Thank you!
@@StillColour my respects to you from Australia 🇦🇺
The Beatles' original concept for the "Let It Be" album was to record everything live in front of an audience-just the band performing, without studio trickery. The live recording idea was partially abandoned, although some songs were recorded live during the band's famous concert on the rooftop of the recording studio. The original 1969 mix of this song done by engineer Glyn Johns is much more spare and showcases Paul's voice and the piano. When the album was released in the US, the American label remixed it, and producer Phil Spector (known for his "wall of sound") added lush instrumentation and a celestial choir. You were correct in pointing out the disconnect between the mood of Paul's voice and lyrics and the soaring background music. Paul was appalled when he heard how Spector had augmented the recordings, because Spector had done it without the band's knowledge or permission. You can hear Glyn Johns's original mix for the song here: th-cam.com/video/MsozPkmRYBU/w-d-xo.html. The documentary "The Beatles: Get Back" (streaming on Disney+) includes more than 8 hours of footage of the band as they are writing and recording the songs on the "Let It Be" album and a few from their "Abbey Road" album, including the full rooftop concert. All of the songs on the album were finished and recorded in about three weeks!
Hey Nancy, thanks for the knowledge. I feel once I listen to the album all the dots will be connected now that you've given me that background information. Will check out Glyn John's version! The fact that album was made in 3 weeks is so impressive! I can't wait to listen to the Abbey Road Album
It was goodbye..It was there swan song. The last Beatles song together 1970.
The song was about the Beatles Breaking up and their long and winding Road. Phil Spector produced this song and made the Lush instrumentation against Paul's wishes, who wanted just a simple piano accompaniment to it.
Mate you’ve probably chosen the 2 best tunes from this album, both by Paul McCartney. If you do the Abbey Road album probably the 2 best are Come Together by John Lennon and Something by George Harrison. Both incredible tunes. So many good songs over the years, mainly the later stuff is better and mainly Lennon was the better songwriter overall in my personal opinion but McCartney smashes it out of the park with these 2 on Let It Be. Good videos you’ve done bro.
Eric Clapton once said that it is the most wonderful love song without saying I love you
Brilliant reaction mate ! Try Fool On The Hill ! you may feel same
Much appreciated Steve! thanks for the suggestion adding to the list :)
This has a beautiful video when they made this song, last song they did together, it’s very emotional, it was very sad when they broke up, that’s what the song is about
please send the link, i'd love to see it
Context is everything. :)
Yeah…behold a thoughtful man
The arranger did a good job of making it sound Beatlish by using French horn, which was one of George Martin's standard tricks.
You got it right, Paul's lyrics have a melancholy aspect to them. It was the worst period for band relationships, they were growing up and apart and all had partners, which had changed the dynamic of their old friendships in a fundamental way. I interpret it, if not directly but subconsciously, as his personal take on The Beatles being on the long road, metaphorically and literally, and being bound to each other. Paul, of all The Beatles was the eternal optimist, the one who had always felt they could work through any communication problems they were having, and to keep the band alive. I think this is his realisation that things were drawing to a close, and taking some reflective time and solace in his Scottish countryside retreat. Here he does sound desperate that whatever he tried now just brought them back to a stalemate, and they couldn't progress in the way they had always found easy in the past. The long road had become a cul -de-sac for the rest of the band. However, there was still the glimmer of hope that their friendship would always remain, however things turned out, they had shared so much together that no one else could really comprehend outside of the band. The big arrangement was Phil Spector's, who I feel went over the top. Although beautiful in itself, it is rather sugary and an imposition on Paul's song, if their old friend and producer George Martin had been allowed to make his own arrangement, I believe it would have been more tasteful and sympathetic. Spector's efforts make it sound like a Disney soundtrack. I prefer the alternative mix that McCartney did on 'Let it be - Naked' , which deleted all of Spector's over production.
Thank you so much for commenting and sharing the knowledge, I completely agree with your take! I'm adding the alternative mix to the list right now, i need to hear that!
Whether you agree or disagree with Phil Spector production, he helped to give the Beatles their last number one single.
I dedicate this song to Ukraine 2023. The long & winding road to victory.
The sadness in this song reflects those lost in the fight.
I find the version on "Wings Over America" to be the superior version. His vocals are much better and the horn arrangements are far superior to Phil Spector's "wall of sound". His piano intro to the song is amazing. Give it a listen!!
Cool
I love your Beatle reactions! I would love to see you check out their album “Revolver”. It’s the one before Sgt. Pepper. It’s my all-time favorite record!!
Thanks so much for giving the beatles reactions a watch :) Revolver is on my to do list and i'll make sure its done soon!!!
Phil Spector orchestra...Wall of sound
Don't want to put you off Let it Be but the album.is nearly the end but Abbey Road Lp really is the end. It would put this song into better context if you listen to the real final act of the Beatles. Sad to say dissolution was just around the corner with the band's break up
Paul was exhausted because of the Beatles members not getting along.
IT'S about the door you can never get in.
Nothing like The Beatles!! But do yourself a favor & listen to their work chronologically first, then go back & relisten to whatever you want. That would probably include the entire Beatles' library but give yourself a chance to watch them grow & evolve as musicians, singers, & songwriters. In the very short time they were actually The Beatles--1962-1970--their progress in all areas is astounding, and being able to follow their trajectory into literal Knighthood is a listening wonderland, one of the most joyous experiences you'll ever know. Take the journey. You'll be so glad you did.
One of my favorites from the earliest days is I'll Get You, good old rock-n-roll by Lennon/McCartney. In My Life is one of best from the mid-Beatles, along with Here, There, & Everywhere. While My Guitar Gently Weeps, written by George Harrison, came later & was the beginning of "hard" rock, & it's a masterpiece. So is another of George's songs, Something, which is so incredible, even Frank Sinatra called it 'one of the greatest love songs ever written." There's so, soooo much more from the 7-year-span, & I'm sure you'll love it all, & I hope for your sake, you'll allow yourself to hear it in order of release. And one other certainty about The Beatles -- if there's any specific genre of music you prefer, chances are great you'l;l find it among the songs of The Beatles. You can never be sure what you're about to hear when you put on a new song of theirs. So great, so diverse!!!!
Check out George Michael singing this song at Linda McCartneys tribute it’s hauntingly beautiful.
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If you like getting emotional over music, check out James Blunt's "Monsters" or Martina McBride's "Concrete Angel" - both are amazing and emotional in different ways. Look forward to you reacting to them.
Waiting
And longing
I Agee. ❤
Paul McCartney is crying on this track.
I love this song, but I much prefer the "naked" version (which I believe is how Paul always wanted it mixed). Phil Spector's "wall of sound" masks George's guitar and Ringo's drum and with Paul's piano and beautiful vocals, that's all this song really needs. Here is the link to that version:
ww.th-cam.com/video/lfVAJNqWw84/w-d-xo.html
Last Beatle number 1 song. It’s his swan song to the Beatles yea yea yea.
Remember..there is no crying in baseball!
4 lads with no formal music training, but genius writers. thank George Martin for the orchestration.
Phil Spector produced this song and added most of the orchestration (harp, chorus, etc.) I’ve always liked it, but Paul McCartney hated this arrangement. You can find simpler, more “stripped down” versions from Paul, esp. on the “Let It Be - Naked” album from about 2003. Listen and see which version you prefer. In all cases, though, it is a great song.
Listen to George Michael's live version of this classic, unreal!!!
Like 😎
Please react to the full Let it be album if you haven’t listened to it already
Adding to the list!!
Their last single
Don't let me stand in here 'Lead Me To Your Door' in my opinion Paul means the door of his loved person but also asking God that at the end leads him to his door so he can enter Heaven, also in the song "let it be" the reference to Mother Mary many thought he was referring to Mary the mother of Jesus Christ coming to him in his dream and with words of wisdom telling him let it be my son everything would be alright at the same time his real flesh and bones mother also was named Mary who had been dead for a long time besides been geniuses there are many mysteries about the Beatles involving faith/God, that many think including me that God not only created them but put them together for a reason?
Phil Spector went overboard on theatrical background music, that’s not the Beatles. The Let it be naked version so much better IMO
You listend to the wrong recording! That dog's breakfast of a production was done by Phil Spector after the original recording. You need to listen to "The Long And Winding Road (Naked Version)". It becomes a totally different song without Spector's eight violins, four violas, four cellos, three trumpets, three trombones, two guitars, and a choir of fourteen women!
Maybe it's a HYMM. You know, like to the LORD rather than to his girl. Maybe he has lived too long and desires to go to his maker ? The door being HEAVEN.
I'm a huge Beatles fan but this song is one of those that I just don't connect with. Like, as a singer and musician, I can totally appreciate the song writing, the chord progressions and melodies, Paul's voice--he's one of the most underrated singers. (I'd say of the Fab Four, he was the greatest all-around musician.) But I just don't connect with this one.
Try - Dear Prudence! The Beatles. Enough said 🇺🇸🇬🇧🌄🍷
Adding to the list!
Personally as a massive Beatles fan I always thought this song was overrated. It’s an incredible song don’t get me wrong. But I don’t think it’s the masterpiece it is held up to be.
This is a bad version of this song….. the record was taken over by a guy Phil Spector…… this was when the Beatles were breaking up and Spector got ahold of the tapes and completely ruined them….. that orchestra and the cheezey choir were added by Spector….. McCartney hated it but there was nothing he could do about it at that point at that point….
th-cam.com/video/JFNaOm6U5n8/w-d-xo.html
This is McCartney song and version
Why do you sound like an American?
You have a great interpretation of the song and music
The funny thing is that McCartney hated the orchestration that was added by Phil Spector and fought against it. But, in the grand scheme of The Beatles breaking up around that time and all of their legal battles, Spector pretty much ruled the Let It Be production. Years later McCartney would push for the Let It Be: Naked album, which was the album as he intended it to be, without the Phil Spector influences. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Be..._Naked Check out Peter Jackson's The Beatles: Get Back. The whole concept of the album was The Beatles live on tape, without any production gimmicks.