Anatomy of an Album: "Let It Be" Quiz

Answer: Charles Hawtrey

"Two Of Us", the first track on The Beatles "Let It Be" album was written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon/McCartney.

The Charles Hawtrey mentioned in the studio talk before the track "Two Of Us" starts, was a British comic actor famous for starring in the British "Carry On" series of movies from 1958 to 1982. Their stock in trade was toilet humour, sexual innuendo and the sending up of British institutions and other movies. Although the movies were very popular, most of them were panned by the critics. The same producer Peter Rogers and director Gerald Thomas, made all 31 movies in the series.

Answer: Eric Clapton

The original title of "Two Of Us" was "On Our Way Home".

During a rehearsal of "Two Of Us" George Harrison had a blazing row with Paul McCartney. A few days later he had an even more furious row with John Lennon. He announced that he was leaving the group, got in his car and drove to his parents' home in Speke, Liverpool. John Lennon suggested that they ask Eric Clapton to join the group so that they could continue rehearsals. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr did not like the idea that Eric Clapton might become a permanent replacement for George Harrison if he did not rejoin the group and turned down the suggestion.

Answer: No

"Let It Be" was written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon/McCartney.

The single version of "Let It Be" runs for approx. 3.52. and was produced by George Martin. This version appears on the albums, "The Beatles 1967 - 1970", "Past Masters Vol.2" and "1".

The "Let It Be" album version of "Let It Be" runs for approx. 4.01 and was produced by Phil Spector. Except for the first chorus it has no backing vocals. There is a delay effect on the hi-hat cymbal played by Ringo Starr. It features a different guitar solo by George Harrison. In the final chorus there are three "Let it be" lines and the "There will be an answer" line is repeated twice (sung once on the single version) before the "Whisper words of wisdom" line which ends the song.

Answer: Universe

"Across The Universe" was written by John Lennon but credited to Lennon/McCartney.

Because of that well known British lunatic and comedian Spike Milligan a version of "Across The Universe" was released in 1969. He heard the song when he dropped in at the studio and said that it would be ideal for a charity album that he was organizing for the World Wildlife Fund. Recording engineer Geoff Emerick re-mixed the original mono mix into stereo for the album "No One's Gonna Change Our World". It was released on the Regal Starline record label in December 1969. This version can also be found on The Beatles album "Rarities" and disc two of The Beatles "Past Masters".

Answer: I've Got A Feeling

"I've Got A Feeling" was written by Lennon/McCartney.

The song was a combination of the song "I've Got A Feeling" by Paul McCartney and the songs "Everybody Had A Hard Year" and "Watching Rainbows" by John Lennon. "I've Got A Feeling" was written for Paul's girlfriend and future wife Linda Eastman. In contrast to Paul's optimism John really did have a hard year. He and his wife Cynthia were divorced, his girlfriend Yoko Ono had a miscarriage, he was arrested for possession of drugs and was very unhappy being a member of The Beatles. Billy Preston who played the electric piano on this recording also covered the song on his own album "Encouraging Words" also released on the Apple record label in 1970.

Answer: Danny Boy

"One After 909" was written by Lennon/McCartney.

"One After 909" must be one of the earliest Beatles songs ever written, as it was written in 1957. It was inspired by songs around at the time like, "Rock Island Line", "Freight Train" and "Midnight Special". The Beatles first recorded a version the song at the "From Me To You" sessions in 1963. It was not released until being included on The Beatles "Anthology 1" in 1995. The song has been covered by such artists as Rick Nelson, Willie Nelson and Helen Reddy.

Answer: Phil Spector

The original session tapes were mixed by producer Glynn Johns but the "Let It Be" album that was released in 1970 was produced by Phil Spector.

Record Producer Glyn Johns, was asked in early 1969 by John Lennon and Paul McCartney to put together an album from all the recordings The Beatles had made for the "Get Back" album. This album was due for release around July 1969 but was shelved. John Lennon and Paul McCartney came to Glyn Johns again in December 1969 and asked him to put together another version to match the "Get Back" movie. This second album was also rejected. In 1970 the session tapes were given to American record producer Phil Spector. Although Paul McCartney did not approve of the Spector treatment, the album and movie both now retitled "Let It Be" were released in May 1970.

Answer: False

"The Long And Winding Road" was written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon/McCartney. "The Long And Winding Road" was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. It was never released as a single in the UK.

"The Long And Winding Road" is an important song in the life of The Beatles. It was the last new single released by them while all four members were alive. It was their 20th and last number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The treatment of the song by Phil Spector was cited in court by Paul McCartney as one of the reasons for legally disbanding The Beatles. Paul McCartney went to court to dissolve The Beatles because their business manager Allen Klein refused his request to do so. Paul McCartney was livid that no one had consulted him about the changes made to "The Long And Winding Road" by Phil Spector. Their long time producer George Martin called the changes uncharacteristic of The Beatles and recording engineer Geoff Emerick called it an insult to Paul.

Answer: Elmore James

"For You Blue" was written and sung by George Harrison. It was released as the B-side of "The Long And Winding Road" in the US in 1970.

The singer/guitarist Elmore James is mentioned in the song "For You Blue" when George Harrison says "Elmore James got nothing on this baby". Before the song on the album John Lennon can be heard saying "Queen says no to pot smoking F. B. I. members. This was edited in by Phil Spector from studio conversations made before "For You Blue" was recorded.

Answer: Get Back

"Get Back" was the last track on the "Let It Be" album and is credited to Lennon/McCartney. It is the same take but a different mix than the version released as a single.

"Get Back" was number one for six weeks on the UK chart in 1969. It was number one for five weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart the same year. It was the first true stereo Beatles single to be released in the US. The first single to be released in true stereo in the UK was "Ballad Of John And Yoko". "Get Back" was the only Beatles single to enter the UK chart at number one and the only Beatles single to credit another artist, The Beatles with Billy Preston. The comment at the end was edited on by Phil Spector from the end of the roof top performance of "Get Back".