The Beatles

Let It Be

First released1970

Let It Be was recorded between January and April 1969, with the final album released in May 1970 after extensive post-production work. The album featured recordings from the Beatles' final live performance on the Apple rooftop in January 1969, supplemented by studio sessions at Abbey Road Studios and Apple Studios in London. The project was initially produced by George Martin but later handed to Phil Spector, who added orchestral arrangements and overdubs to many tracks, creating a more polished sound that contrasted with some band members' original intentions. The album marked the Beatles' last official release during their active years and included some of their most iconic songs, with its production reflecting the tensions and creative differences within the band during their final period together. The Let It Be... Naked version released in 2003 presented alternative mixes that removed many of Spector's orchestral additions, offering listeners the stripped-down arrangements closer to the original recordings.