Let It Be... Naked - Track Elements

This is a list of all the Beatles' songs that appear on the 2003 version of their 1970 album Let It Be. It includes track by track details on some of the mixes and versions of each song. More valid information can be found here.

This page is still under construction and will be updated, tweaked, and revised over time.

Get Back

 * Single Mix


 * Recorded: 27th and 28th January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:11
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: George Martin

The single mix of the song contains a tape echo effect throughout and a coda after a false ending. The lead guitar played by Lennon is in the left channel and the rhythm guitar played by Harrison is in the right channel.


 * Album Mix


 * Recorded: 27th and 28th January, Apple Studios, and 30th January 1969, Apple Building Rooftop Concert, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:09
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Phil Spector

For the album mix, Phil Spector included part of the elements of studio chatter from the previous unleased Get Back albums to add to the live feel of the recordings. The studio chatter was recorded immediately before the take recorded on the 27th January, but Spector slightly crossfaded it onto the beginning of the same master take recorded on the 28th January, and added McCartney and Lennon's remarks after the close of the rooftop performance. This created the impression that the single and album mixes are different takes. The single's echo effect was also omitted from the remix.


 * Naked Mix


 * Recorded: 27th January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:02:34
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

In 2003, "Get Back" was re-released on the Let It Be... Naked album, remixed by independent producers with the sanction of the surviving ex-Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, with John Lennon's and George Harrison's widows. The "naked" mix of "Get Back" is ostensibly a cleaned up version of the single mix, albeit much shorter as there is a fade immediately before the final "whoo" and coda. The single's echo effect was also omitted from the remix.

Dig a Pony

 * Album Mix


 * Recorded: 30th January 1969, Apple Building Rooftop Concert, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:54
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Phil Spector

The album mix begins with a false start, with Ringo Starr yelling "Hold it!" to halt the other band members because he had only one drum stick in his hand. During the rooftop concert, Lennon substituted what sounds like "rode a lorry," and this is the version that appears on both the Let It Be album and Let It Be... Naked.


 * Naked Mix


 * Recorded: 30th January 1969, Apple Building Rooftop Concert, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:38
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

The naked mix features two major fixes and edits. An off-pitch note sung by Lennon in his second "because" was digitally pitch-corrected. Also, whereas the original album track featured Lennon beginning to play the song's final guitar riff one beat too early, this version mixes the error out, leaving a clean outro. The opening guitar riff in the Naked mix is the same as the final guitar riff in both mixes. Both the false start and closing dialogue are removed from this mix.

For You Blue

 * Album Mix


 * Recorded: Early January, Twickenham Studios, 25th January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row, and 8th January 1970, London, England
 * Duration: 0:02:32
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Phil Spector

When Phil Spector remixed the song for inclusion on the Let It Be album, he added an introduction by Lennon, "Queen says no to pot-smoking FBI members." This comment was edited in from dialogue recorded at Twickenham Studios in early January 1969, long before "For You Blue" was recorded.


 * Naked Mix


 * Recorded: 25th January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row, and 8th January 1970, London, England
 * Duration: 0:02:27
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

The naked mix features Harrison's original acoustic guitar performance and overdubbed vocals that were muted on the Spector album mix. The intro dialogue was omitted from this mix.

The Long and Winding Road

 * Album Version


 * Recorded: 26th January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row, and 1st April 1970, Abbey Road Studios, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:38
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Phil Spector

For the album version of the song, Spector added orchestral overdubs consisting of eight violins, four violas, four cellos, three trumpets, three trombones, two guitars, one harp, and a choir of 14 women. The orchestra was scored and conducted by Richard Hewson. This lush orchestral treatment was in direct contrast to the Beatles' stated intentions for a "real" recording when they began work on Get Back.


 * Naked Version


 * Recorded: 31st January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:34
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

For the naked version of the song, the producers used the final take, recorded five days after the rough run-through Spector had selected for the original album. As per all songs on Let It Be... Naked, this version is devoid of any orchestral or choral overdubs. (The unadorned take from Let It Be is featured on Anthology 3.) Finally, there is a slight lyrical difference: whereas the original album version's lyric reads, "anyway, you'll never know the many ways I've tried," on this version it reads, "anyway, you've always known the many ways I've tried."

Electric guitar and electric piano are also present in this version, played respectively by Harrison and Billy Preston. This version features McCartney and Preston's piano and keyboard performances that had been muted on Spector's mix in favour of orchestral and choral overdubs; McCartney's vocalising over Preston's keyboard solo is also mixed out.

Two of Us

 * Album Mix


 * Recorded: 31st January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:36
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Phil Spector

For the intro of the album mix of the song, Lennon shouts "'I Dig a Pygmy', by Charles Hawtrey and the Deaf Aids... Phase One, in which Doris gets her oats!" The shout was mixed in by Phil Spector for the Let It Be album and also appeared in the Let It Be film, both released in 1970.


 * Naked Mix


 * Recorded: 31st January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:21
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

The intro dialogue was omitted from the naked mix of the song. A minor error in Lennon's acoustic guitar performance is digitally corrected. Starr's drums were typically recorded onto a single track, precluding mixing them into stereo. Small amounts of de-essing and rumble filtering were also performed. The fade out is also slightly different, as one of the instruments doesn't fade out at the time as the other elements in the album mix. Although it is still the last instrument to fade out in this mix, the fade is more even.

I've Got a Feeling

 * Album Mix


 * Recorded: 30th January 1969, Apple Building Rooftop Concert, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:37
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Phil Spector

The album mix of the song contains an "Ooh! My Soul" closing dialogue. This feature was omitted from the naked mix.


 * Naked Mix


 * Recorded: 30th January 1969, Apple Building Rooftop Concert, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:30
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

The naked mix of the song is a composite edit of the two versions from the rooftop concert. As a result, the words are slightly different from the album mix in certain places, especially the part where Lennon and McCartney sing the separate lyrics each of them wrote, at the same time. The naked mix omits the "Ooh! My Soul" closing dialogue used in the album mix.

One After 909

 * Album Mix


 * Recorded: 30th January 1969, Apple Building Rooftop Concert, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:02:53
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Phil Spector

The album mix of the song features Lennon singing a variant on the opening line of "Danny Boy" as a joke for the rooftop chatter, after the song is finished. This closing dialogue was omitted from the naked mix.


 * Naked Mix


 * Recorded: 30th January 1969, Apple Building Rooftop Concert, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:02:43
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

Without counting the more polished edge to the recording, the only real difference between this mix and the album mix is that this mix omits the impromptu rendition of "Danny Boy" after the song is finished.

Don't Let Me Down

 * Single Version


 * Recorded: 28th January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:35
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: George Martin (uncredited)

In comparison to the version from Let It Be... Naked, the single version is slower and has more of a bluesy feel to it. Also a small amount of double tracking was used, which is mostly evident towards the end of the recording. The screams and wails towards the end of the single version are not featured on the naked version, as the naked version is a composite of two different takes, which featured little or no overdubbing. No official producer's credit was included for the single release owing to "the confused roles of George Martin and Glyn Johns". However the 1967-1970 album liner notes credit George Martin as the song's producer.


 * Naked Version


 * Recorded: 30th January 1969, Apple Building Rooftop Concert, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:18
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

This version, is an edit of the two rooftop versions. The Beatles recorded a second take because Lennon forgot the lyrics during the first take. This version is faster, rockier, and more energetic than its slower and more bluesy counterpart which was recorded in the studio two days earlier. This version has a more stripped down approach, in contrast to the slight amount of double tracking used in the single version.

I Me Mine

 * Album Mix


 * Recorded: 3rd January and 1st April 1970, Abbey Road Studios, London, England
 * Duration: 0:02:25
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Phil Spector

For the album mix of the song, Phil Spector extended the song's length by copying the rock-styled chorus in the middle of the song, and repeating it at the end of the track. Spector also overdubbed a string and brass accompaniment. The final mix, as "re-produced" by Spector, was featured on Let It Be. A similar edit, without Spector's overdubs but retaining the repeated section, was made available on the Let It Be... Naked album in 2003.


 * Naked Mix


 * Recorded: 3rd January 1970, Abbey Road Studios, London, England
 * Duration: 0:02:21
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

The naked mix is a remixed, slightly different recreation of Phil Spector's edit to lengthen the track recorded on the 3rd January 1970, but without Spector's orchestral and choral overdubs. Guy Massey also built up the mix as the song progressed by adding elements of the mix as the song enters the second verse; guitar overdubs and organ parts are mixed in and out to make the repeated verse sound different.

Across the Universe

 * World Wildlife Fund Mix


 * Recorded: 4th February 1968, Abbey Road Studios, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:49
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: George Martin

Two teenage fans, Lizzie Bravo and Gayleen Pease, were invited in off the street to provide backup vocals for the song. In keeping with the "wildlife" theme of the 1969 charity album, sound effects of birds were added to the beginning and end. After the effects were added to what became the World Wildlife Fund mix of the song, the song was sped up, so that even with 20 seconds of effects, it is only 3 minutes and 49 seconds. Speeding up the recording also raised the key to E-flat.


 * Album Mix


 * Recorded: 4th February 1968 and 1st April 1970, Abbey Road Studios, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:48
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Phil Spector

The album mix omits Lennon's electric Leslie-speaker guitar, McCartney's piano, and backing vocals, Harrison's electric guitar, Starr's drums, the teenage girls' vocals, and the bird sound effects of the World Wildlife Fund mix. Harrison's sitar was also reinstated. In late March and early April 1970, Phil Spector remixed the February 1968 recording and added orchestral and choral overdubs. Spector also slowed the track to 3:48.


 * Naked Mix


 * Recorded: 4th February 1968, Abbey Road Studios, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:38
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

The naked mix omits McCartney's piano and backing vocals, Harrison's electric guitar, Starr's maracas and drums, the teenage girls' vocals, and the bird sound effects from the World Wildlife Fund mix. Harrison's sitar, and Spector's orchestral and choral overdubs from the album mix were also omitted. The naked mix is played at the correct speed, while the World Wildlife Fund mix was sped up, and the album mix was slowed down. The ending of the naked mix is given a spiritual touch, with a building echo (via real Abbey Road tape delay) added.

Let It Be

 * Single Mix


 * Recorded: 31st January, Apple Studios, Savile Row, and 30th April 1969 and 4th January 1970, Abbey Road Studios, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:51
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: George Martin

This mix includes orchestration and backing vocals overdubbed on the 4th January 1970, under the supervision of Martin and McCartney, with backing vocals that included the only known contribution by Linda McCartney to a Beatles song. It was during this same session that Harrison recorded the second overdubbed guitar solo. The intention at one point was to have the two overdub solos playing together. This idea was dropped for the final mix of the single, and only the 30th April solo was used, although the 4th January overdub can be heard faintly during the final verse. Martin mixed the orchestration very low in this mix.


 * Album Mix


 * Recorded: 31st January, Apple Studios, Savile Row, and 30th April 1969 and 4th January 1970, Abbey Road Studios, London, England
 * Duration: 0:04:03
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Phil Spector

This mix features the "more stinging" 4th January 1970 guitar solo, no backing vocals except during the first chorus, a delay effect on Starr's hi-hat, and more prominent orchestration. The final chorus has three "Let it be ..." lines, as the "there will be an answer" line is repeated twice (instead of once as on the single) before the "whisper words of wisdom" line to close the song.


 * Naked Mix


 * Recorded: 31st January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row, London, England
 * Duration: 0:03:54
 * Label: Apple Records
 * Producer: Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse

The naked mix contains a different piano track from Take 27b, than the one on the single and album mixes from Take 27a; it can be noted that in the intro, McCartney plays an extra A bass note during the A minor chord (very similar to the way he plays the intro in the film version) and also plays a standard A minor chord in the piano at the first beat of measure two in the last verse (on the lyric "mother", also like in the film version), while the other versions have a different piano harmonisation which can be easily interpreted as an unfixed mistake. The backing vocals provided by Lennon and Harrison in the chorus of this mix are similar to those in the single mix, but are stripped back significantly, while still retaining a reverb-heavy, choral effect. Linda McCartney's backing vocal overdubs from the single and album mixes were omitted from this mix. Starr disliked Spector's mix where his drumming was augmented by Spector's "tape-delay-effect" to his hi-hats during the song's second verse and added shakers, so Let It Be... Naked features his original "stripped-down-approach" drumming. Also departed were the tom-tom overdub rolls, heard after the guitar solo during the third verse. The guitar solo used in this mix – similar to the single mix – was taken from Take 27b as seen in the film "Let It Be".