Released: 2011
Performed live at Shea Stadium in 2008, ‘Let It Be’ by Billy Joel featuring Paul McCartney is a powerful anthem of acceptance and hope. The song, originally by The Beatles, sends a strong message to listeners about finding peace amidst life’s challenges.
When Joel sings ‘When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me,’ he’s not referring to a religious figure. Instead, ‘Mother Mary’ is thought to represent Paul McCartney’s own mother, Mary, who passed away when he was just a teenager. The ‘words of wisdom’ she imparts are simply ‘let it be,’ a phrase suggesting acceptance and surrender to whatever life throws at you.
The chorus ‘Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be’ is repeated throughout the song, reinforcing this message of acceptance. It’s a mantra, a call to stop fighting against the tide and instead allow things to unfold as they will.
‘And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree, There will be an answer, let it be.’ Here, the song speaks to the collective human experience of heartbreak and suggests that acceptance can lead to healing and resolution.
‘And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me, Shine until tomorrow, let it be.’ This line is a beacon of hope, suggesting that even in the darkest times, there’s always a glimmer of light or hope that can guide us through.
In the end, ‘Let It Be’ is a song about finding peace in acceptance, a timeless message that resonates with listeners to this day. Billy Joel and Paul McCartney’s performance at Shea Stadium only amplifies the song’s enduring power.
