The Beatles’ song “Let It Be” remains one of the most beloved and enduring anthems in music history. Featured on their final album and film of the same name, and showcased again in Peter Jackson’s acclaimed 2021 documentary “Get Back”, the song’s simple yet profound message of hope and acceptance continues to resonate with listeners worldwide. But beyond the iconic Let It Be Beatles Song Lyrics, lies a deeply personal and somewhat debated story of inspiration.
Paul McCartney at The Beatles' "Get Back" sessions in January 1969. Picture: Apple Corps/Press
Paul McCartney at The Beatles’ “Get Back” sessions in January 1969. Picture: Apple Corps/Press
Written and primarily sung by Paul McCartney, “Let It Be” was released as a single just before his public announcement of leaving The Beatles, adding another layer of poignancy to the track. McCartney himself has often spoken about the deeply personal origins of the song, linking it to a dream about his mother, Mary, who passed away from cancer when he was only 14.
In a heartwarming segment of Carpool Karaoke with James Corden in 2018, McCartney shared the emotional story behind the let it be beatles song lyrics. He recounted a dream from the 1960s where his deceased mother appeared to him, offering words of comfort and reassurance. “She came to me in a dream and was reassuring me, saying: ‘It’s gonna be OK. Just let it be…'” McCartney explained.
Paul McCartney Carpool Karaoke
Paul McCartney Carpool Karaoke
This dream became the core inspiration for the song’s message and undoubtedly influenced the famous line, “Mother Mary comes to me.” While some have speculated about a religious connotation to “Mother Mary,” referencing the Virgin Mary, McCartney has intentionally left the interpretation open to individual listeners, allowing for a more universal understanding of solace and maternal comfort within the let it be beatles song lyrics.
However, alongside this widely accepted and touching origin story, there exists another, less-known version that involves a key figure from The Beatles’ inner circle: Mal Evans.
Paul McCartney Carpool Karaoke
Beatles roadie Mal Evans with Paul McCartney in the Sgt Pepper era, April 1967. Picture: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo
Mal Evans was more than just a roadie for The Beatles; he was a trusted friend, assistant, and confidant. In a 1975 television special, “A Salute To The Beatles,” hosted by David Frost, Evans presented a surprising alternative account of the song’s creation.
Evans claimed that he, not McCartney’s mother, was the inspiration behind “Let It Be”. He described an incident where McCartney was meditating, and Evans appeared to him “in a vision,” repeatedly saying “let it be, let it be…”. According to Evans, this vision sparked the initial idea for the song and its central let it be beatles song lyrics.
Adding a humorous twist, Evans recounted a late-night conversation with McCartney: “It was gonna be Brother Malcolm but I’ve had to change it in case people get the wrong idea!” This anecdote suggests that early versions of the song may have even directly referenced Evans by name.
Intriguingly, an outtake from the 50th-anniversary reissue of the “White Album” in 2018 lends some credence to Evans’ story. In a recording of The Beatles working on “Piggies” in September 1968, Paul can be heard testing out “Let It Be” with the lyrics, “When I find myself in times of trouble, Brother Malcolm comes to me…”
Let It Be (Unnumbered Rehearsal)
Let It Be (Unnumbered Rehearsal)
This discovery sparked debate and renewed interest in Evans’ version of events. While the “Mother Mary dream” narrative remains the more widely circulated and emotionally resonant story behind the let it be beatles song lyrics, the “Brother Malcolm” lyric offers a fascinating alternative glimpse into the song’s evolution.
Sadly, Mal Evans passed away in 1976, leaving Paul McCartney to primarily shape the narrative surrounding “Let It Be”. Regardless of the precise inspiration, the enduring power of “Let It Be” lies in its message of hope and acceptance during times of difficulty. Whether born from a dream of a mother’s comfort or a bandmate’s vision, the let it be beatles song lyrics continue to offer solace and inspiration to generations of listeners.
Let It Be (Unnumbered Rehearsal)
The Beatles’ Let It Be album, released in May 1970 alongside the feature film of the same name. Picture: Blueee / Alamy Stock Photo
