Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
Date Released
Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
Genre
Label
Catalogue Number
Story Behind The Song
Ferry Aid’s “Let It Be” brought together an impressive collection of British and Irish musicians and entertainers for a charity recording supporting the victims of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster. Released in 1987, the project followed the tragic sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise off the Belgian coast on 6 March 1987, which claimed 193 lives.
Inspired by the success of Band Aid and other collaborative charity recordings, Ferry Aid assembled an unlikely group of performers to record a new version of the Beatles classic. The line-up included Paul McCartney, Boy George, Kate Bush, Mark Knopfler, Kim Wilde, Rick Astley and members of Status Quo, alongside numerous actors, television personalities and other familiar faces. The recording was produced by Stock Aitken Waterman.
Musically, the arrangement retains the familiar piano-led melody and uplifting chorus of the original, gradually building into a large ensemble performance. The combination of recognisable voices and the song’s message of hope made it a fitting tribute to those affected by the tragedy.
“Let It Be” demonstrated how the music industry could unite behind a humanitarian cause, bringing together artists from different musical backgrounds for a shared purpose. It remains a notable British charity recording of the 1980s, remembered for both its remarkable gathering of performers and the tragic circumstances that inspired it.
The song peaked at No. 01 in the UK singles chart on 4th April 1987.
UK 7'' SLEEVE COVERS
Shown below are the picture sleeve covers (front and back) for the UK release of this single. If no cover sleeve was issued in the UK, we will display another country’s picture sleeve.
UK 7'' TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | Let It Be (Single Version) (6:08) (Lennon, McCartney) Produced By Stock, Aitken, Waterman |
| B-Side | Let It Be (Gospel Jam Mix) (2:51) (Lennon, McCartney) Produced By Stock, Aitken, Waterman |
CHART PERFORMANCE (80s Chart only)
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [6 Weeks] – 4th April 1987 – 9th May 1987 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
All officially released versions that appeared in the 80s:-
- Let It Be (Single Version) (6:08)
- Let It Be (Gospel Jam Mix) (2:50)
- Let It Be (Extended Version) (6:30)
- Let It Be (Mega Message Mix) (6:11)
To hear the FULL version of the songs below, you will need an active Spotify account (Free one). Just log in on your desktop/tablet or phone to hear the FULL versions.
OFFICIAL VIDEO
SONG LYRICS
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, “let it be”
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom
“Let it be”
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
And when the brokenhearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
(Let it be, whoa-yeah!)
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shines on ’til tomorrow, let it be
Then I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be, let it be…
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisperin’ words of wisdom, let it be
Ooh!
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, “let it be”
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be (let it be!)
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Written By John Lennon, Paul McCartney
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