When was Let It Be by The Beatles sung for first time?

Answer 1

"Let it be" was actually first recorded and filmed in 1969. The sessions for "Let It Be" began shortly after the "White Album" was released in 1968. The sessions were filmed with the intent of demonstrating how a Beatles album is made, instead it captured "bickering Beatles" in a state of disarray. The project was shelved indefinatley with miles of film and tape. "Abbey Road" was then recorded and released as the "Beatles" swansong record. By the end of 1969 The Beatles were finished and Phil Spector was called in to put an album together of the masters. Released in 1970 to the public for the first time "Let It Be" seems prophetically indicative of the end of the band.

Although Phil Spector is known his "Wall of Sound", his work on "Let It Be" was not his best. Paul McCartney was furious at the way Spector had "schmaltz-ified" some pieces. In 2003 Paul organised the release of a re-engineered "Let It Be ... Naked". The songs were stripped of the Spector layers, two mere snippets ("Maggie May" & "Dig It") were cut, the playing order was made rearranged, and "Across the Universe" (having been returned to its proper speed) was added. Arguably, this album is a significant improvement; although it is unfortunate that all the studio chat at the start of "Get Back" has been cut. (Some needed cutting, but not all!).