This BEAUTIFUL Beatles song was RUINED by Phil Spector and pushed McCartney over the edge

Today we'll be discussing a song that was recorded for the Let It Be sessions and was butchered so badly and handled so poorly that it's one of the reasons Paul McCartney decided to leave the band in 1970.

[@terencehennegan1439]

J L asked a lot of the band in accepting Ono presence, no wonder McCartney got pissed off.

[@I_Am_Become_Light]

I think it's pretty magnificent.

[@walterbriggs272]

I’m tired of all the accusations and speculation about who said what! Let it be

[@MFisher7346]

Personally, I prefer the Spector mix to the original. I find some of Paul's piano figures distract attention from the vocal, which should be the focus. All the same, I can understand his anger at serious changes being made to one of his songs without his knowledge or consent. The Beatles were not on the best of terms at this time.

[@thomaspacker2626]

As Paul made changes clandestinely…

[@garylester8621]

Can you imagine having Yoko in the studio constantly? Oh my God. It would be like one of your beer drinking buddies bringing his wife along when ya'll go out to drink some berrs.

[@Not_Sure-2020]

Song was not ruined. I think what may have happened here is the same thing George purportedly left for. Even John had mentioned that since the death of Brian, Paul tried to basically take over and this just seems like he was angry because someone else made changes. I think any changes would have made him angry at this point.

[@thomaspacker2626]

Not to mention that George Martin had given him a wide latitude because of his ability to write salable pop songs and they had similar taste in music. In fact George Martin was friends with the Asher and quite influential on Paul from those days when he moved in with them for a few years.

[@peach495]

I disagree. The whole album was ruined by the wall of sound. The Naked release is so superior I got rid of the original version as I would never listen to it again.

[@LearnMusclescom]

It was Paul’s song so it reasonable that he should choose how it was produced. Beyond that, this was part of the Get Back sessions which were supposed to be the Beatles getting back to their earlier rock and roll music without a lot of studio additions. And, George Martin, an excellent producer who did so much for the Beatles once described the Let It Be album as “produced by George Martin and overproduced by Phil Spector”.

[@user-fu2mi1nd5l]

It's funny that Macca used the Spector arrangement live in 1990 at Vet Stadium in Philly

[@thomaspacker2626]

Mocka'

[@triandfit1]

I was at that show and at MSG the year before.

[@glennmorrell4907]

I was at that show too. I went upstairs and had a smoke. Someone spoke and I went into a dream…

[@chipdice]

I was at that show too. I was alone I took a ride I didn't know what I would find there....

[@donaldbutcher1260]

I guess that is what was meant on the album sleeve by " over produced by Phil Spector "

[@eltinjones4542]

It makes no difference now

[@billfrohberg3206]

I was at a McCartney concert. His original version was fantastic.

[@jacenoley2597]

It is true that Paul hated the Phil Spector treatment and there has been accusations even by /Spector himself that John's bass playing was terrible. Spector lowered the bass track so it could not be heard and covered it with strings , backing voices and all that. It's one of my favorite songs and was not ruined by all the mistakes and tampering with it. The beautiful melody and lyrics survive regardless and a lot of people like the Spector produced single that was initially released.

[@nomarzepol5567]

I believe Paul played bass

[@thomaspacker2626]

McCartney left the band because it worked out well for selling his first solo album, effectively going against what they had agreed-upon they all would decide when JOHN wanted to leave at first. It was like a knife in the back. He used to redo tricks without telling the other Beatlesand so would probably especially hurt him to get a bit of payback with Phil Spector. He changed his mind about the initial version after it sold so well…

[@marcusphelan57]

@@nomarzepol5567 not on this. John did, and it's awful.

[@jacenoley2597]

@@thomaspacker2626 Paul has said that John stated he was going to leave first.I have read that Ringo went to Paul and asked him to delay his solo album, and Paul got mad and threw Ringo out. I never heard anything about Paul secretly redoing tracks without telling the other Beatles . I would be interested in finding out the source you have for that and the part where you seem to be saying that Paul wanted to chamge the time for releasing his solo album when I have read that the other three sent Ringo to ask Paul to change the release date of his solo album which they had all already agreed to.. What article or book did you get this information from as I would love to read it ?

[@user-mk3vk7kb6b]

I know Paul didn’t like Spector’s arrangement and production of Long and Winding Road, but I like that version with the strings and the women backup vocals. It’s what I heard first and the version I prefer. Many fans feel the same.

[@auramac]

John left the band he started. Kept quiet about it at the request of the others. Then Paul made his "big announcement" to promote His first solo album. I think Spector's gotten a bad rap- McCartney was no stranger to schmaltz before or after.

[@jacobgordon7998]

Right, after the band without Paul's approval chose a crook to manage them, correct? On top of Spector ruining his songs, in his opinion, I imagine Paul was angry and felt justified in making the announcement early. Sort of disingenuous to judge him harshly.

[@thomaspacker2626]

Hardly, Paul was looking out for number one with trying to get a relative to be the lawyer

[@davidmanzi4491]

Spectre's "wall of sound" BS just did not work with ANY beatles song. Horrible.

[@cezzajamboree]

I think the strings are great. Perhaps a little cheesy but they help make the song. It was a massive hit so obvs most people loved the arrangement

[@dominicbugattiofficial]

Spector did a fantastic job, which ensured the song went to number one. The naked version would never have achieved that.

[@ChrisVaughan-gj7ve]

It’s sounds refreshing different actually. If it wasn’t produced by Spector any true Beatles fan - I am one - would be able to predict the production and what it would have sounded like. It deserves the embellishment and lifts it even higher.

[@MrBarrystuart]

You almost have to wonder if John Lennon was up to some creative sabotage, first by bringing Phil Spector on board and also by flubbing some of the bass tracks - it's no secret that by the end of the sixties, he was not a happy Beatle. Moreover, Paul later revealed that John is the one who actually broke up the Beatles.

[@thomaspacker2626]

One needs our wide latitude when it comes to Paul's so-called revelations

[@onargaroberts]

My least favorite Beatles song, both versions. I love the way both of these men put a song together, but this one should never have been on the album in my opinion. Paul's vocals on the "Naked" version were exceptional though.George had several songs ready to go that would have complemented the album far better. Fortunately we got to hear them on All Things Must Pass.

[@jusupdjidjimidjimilovic3677]

That songs were not ruined by Phil Spector. They were enhanced by Phil Spector. We heard Paul McCartney version, that was bad.

[@peach495]

Once McCartney's "Naked" version was released, I got rid of the original.

[@Pedro91795]

Bad? Never!

[@casaraku1]

Maybe we should add a banjo..... really... Its okay if they "the beatles" do versions of their work like they did with three versions of Revolution...but someone like him... Even Martin helped on a lot of Beatle songs but he worked with them...

[@PeterStrachanMusic]

Specter's version is the best... By a mile.

[@just_ben1951]

The Phil Spector version is great. I didn’t like the silly chatter between songs though.

[@latinhellas6383]

In my view, The Beatles are not complete without George Martin. I prefer the "naked" and Glyn John's versions of the Get Back/Let It Be songs, and even some of the rehearsals and outtakes, especially Across the Universe and All Things Must Pass. Similarly, I never liked the All Things Must Pass album and have been looking for a "naked" version. Just recently, a certain yorick22 did the compilation work and published it on KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJi4lJmNrdF2qZo The Beatles had already made our world much better than it otherwise would have been, but it would have been that much better still if George Martin had produced Let It Be and All Things Must Pass of which four or five songs should have been on Let It Be and a would-be 1970 Beatles album. At least Phil Spector didn't ruin the 1970 John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album because its most striking feature is its raw simplicity.

[@jimbo6222]

He was born in liverpool

[@pauloslferes]

O trabalho de Spector em "The Long and Winding Road " foi muito bom.

[@UkuleleBobbyKemp]

Bullshit 'Ruined!' Spector vs. The Beatles are f*cking Masterpieces! They're an essential part of the Beatles Story *And* an essential part of their Canon. Deal with it!!...

[@janiceastets5425]

I love the orchestra, strings, horns, etc. It really makes the song beautiful & classy. Paul sings it just right, the right tone & emotion. I love it! ❤️

[@Not_Sure-2020]

Right? And the Beatles had done things like that numerous times in the past.

[@robertallan6373]

I agree, its the only version I listen to.

[@wadestevens5659]

Have you listened to the raw version? Turns out Phil Spector ruined the song by pouring audio syrup all over it.

[@deanevangelista6359]

Yeah, you can actually hear Billy Preston’s Hammond on it.

[@jacquismith3277]

Phil Spector was something of a loose cannon. He put out Leonard Cohen's Death of a Ladies' man before Leonard heard the final cut. Both are good, but why upset the artists?

[@sallybrown4947]

Wrong!!! That song was #1 and sold millions. Phil took crap and made it a pure classic.

[@robertallan6373]

Spector did a great job.

[@PeterStrachanMusic]

No, it was not ruined in the slightest..

[@colmfox3752]

Anyone that thinks Spectors. Version ruined this song is fucking high! There was a lot happening behind the scenes with Martin and McCartney and the rest of the Beatles hence their biased option to the mix, but any object listener thinks Spector messed up 😂😂😂

[@TheAnarchitek]

Neither version of the song, Spectorized, or Naked, meets the standards the Beatles set on every other album. It's tripe.

[@thomaspacker2626]

Kind of like yesterday, Paul's answer to John's song help which was so much better than less maudlin. We could tell that John was much more sincere and heartfelt and creating this song and singing it. McCartney was essentially like a paperback writer…

[@TheAnarchitek]

@@thomaspacker2626 Yesterday evokes a theme common to humans over the age of 30, and those empathetic enough to recognize the approaching deadline we all operate under. John was beginning his tab-of-acid-every-day period (his first time was in Spring 1965, around the time the song, Help, was recorded (April 13). Paul wouldn't do acid for another five months. There was no excuse for Long and Winding Road. It mines the same territory as Yesterday, without its timeless connect with the human condition. I didn't like it the first time I heard it, the first time I'd had that kind of reaction to a Beatles' song (Revolution 9 doesn't count, as it is not a song, by any definition). John's songwriting was always different, more in tune with his worldview than Paul. John was a child from a broken home, whose mother passed tragically in an accident, just as he neared adulthood. Paul's mother passed, too, when he was only 14, but his family life was more secure. Yesterday harks back to that feeling, where Long and Winding Road reminds me more of Stevie Winwood's (Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired. The latter is at least honest about its inspiration.

[@thomaspacker2626]

I like Tripe however

[@TheAnarchitek]

@@thomaspacker2626 If you like it, you are welcome to it. I happily cede all interest in it to you, my friend. Lotta people bought Sugar Sugar, too, but good luck finding any of 'em who'll admit it, today!

[@TheAnarchitek]

@@thomaspacker2626 It's as listenable as Green, Green Grass of Home, or Tie a Yellow Ribbon, appealing to our maudlin sides. The word lugubrious comes to mind.

[@edtamboni4752]

The spectorized Long Winding Road is a stone masterpiece...anyone who repeats this bullshit about it being ruined is just ignorant about music.

[@amadeusendymion1272]

Anyone who throws insults like ignorant around without knowing who they are talking about is a total jerk.

[@edryba4867]

Reliable? How could Paul McCartney have been born in 1968 WHEN THEY APPEARED ON THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW IN 1964???

[@paulwielgosz6046]

The song was born

[@eddiemissey266]

This is absolutely true! You will find telegram sent by McCartney to either Allen Klein, or Phil Spector, in the Beatles Anthology dvd, or the book, or the Beatles Forever book! Paul was totally Pissed!

[@thomaspacker2626]

Nobody likes eating crow...

[@groovermctoober4508]

Phil Spector was a master producer who created some of the most legendary recordings of the rock/pop era, especially "Da Doo Ron Ron!' But he had no business whatsoever messing with Beatles' recordings. John admired him, even using him on his own solo recordings, because deep down that was the type of music he really liked. But The Beatles weren't into that. They were The Beatles, not The Crystals. In my humble opinion, Phil Spector not only ruined this song, but every Beatles' song he was allowed to mess with. Just listen to 'Let It Be Naked!' It is far, far better. Thank God, Paul had the idea to do it and see it through.

[@marcusphelan57]

Naked is just as manipulated and edited as the Spector production. Not 'naked" at all.

[@ignatiusjk]

Sorry Paul but like Spectors version better. I can see why Paul got mad; he should have but Spector's version is much fuller.

[@ploppill34]

The version Paul liked was released on let it be naked And no it didn't go to #1 and isn't loved By 10s of millions of people

[@joeerickson516]

"Blatant lies,🤥 to me?"

[@MarvinThiessen]

"The Long and Boring Road", not one of his better songs. He was trying to emulate something from "Pet Sounds".

[@andydporter5136]

McCartney schmultz. It's a hideous song

[@jasperchance3382]

Spector did an amazing job. Paul was ticked off because he had not been asked about it, but he liked it.

[@marcusphelan57]

He did know it was going to be orchestrated cos Spector asked Paul to suggest an arranger, which he did (and Paul used the same arranger for his solo work.)

[@jasperchance3382]

@@marcusphelan57 yeah, but it was published without his approval.

[@marcusphelan57]

@@jasperchance3382 incorrect, he signed off on it.

[@carlcushmanhybels8159]

In contrast to some other comments: When it came out I hated "Long and Winding Road" --Later I found Paul hated what was done to it by Phil Spector. I agree with Paul. Including brought out well here that it was a heartfelt song RE the Beatles' journey, not a sappy lush 'here's another blah love song.'

[@nicholasbrowning4558]

Spector did a great job on this song

[@fvmcnabb]

This is simply not true

[@paulcritz6217]

What little life there is in this dirge was breathed into it by Spector.

[@maddielee4eva123]

Its a terrible song to stsrt with

[@davidgraham8299]

It's the albums highlight

[@thomaspacker2626]

I actually liked I've got a feeling…

[@maddielee4eva123]

@@thomaspacker2626 Yes, that was good but Don't let me down was terrible

[@maddielee4eva123]

@@davidgraham8299 I was 14 when it came out. I didn't like it then nor now.

[@thomaspacker2626]

@maddielee4eva123: I like don't let me down...

[@richbailey8174]

I don't think it is even a good song anyway....a typical McCartney soupy ballad.

[@bronzesnake7004]

You can't get a clear picture of how Spector ruined the album until you hear "Let It Be Naked" which, in my opinion as a 30 pro lead rock then metal vocals/writer hythm guitar, is a superior cut which gives you a look at how incredible these four ruffians truly are! They created that iconic Beatle sound which the rest of the world's bands tried very hard to duplicate, however, you just can't get there!! Jack ~'()'~

[@lylecampbell9036]

It's an awful song regardless. The Long and Boring Song....

[@davidgraham8299]

Best song on the album

[@ploppill34]

Amazing that ruined song went to #1 And is be loved by 10s of millions of people

[@kevinwaters5872]

The song itself is maudlin in the worst way. I am a Beatle fan from way back , and I know a lot of Beatles fans. I don’t know anyone who even mentions this song. The Spector production was shit , but the song itself was no great shakes.

[@thomaspacker2626]

Kind of like yesterday coming back to bite him the ass…

[@JackCarlock56]

I have hated the long and winding road ever since I first heard it in 1970. Pure rubbish.

[@davidgraham8299]

It's a masterpiece

[@JackCarlock56]

@davidgraham8299 Hey Jude is a masterpiece. The Long and Winding Road is rubbish.

[@thomaspacker2626]

Both are all right McCartney pop tunes

[@dcarlisle123]

Beautiful lyrics, mushy production

[@dinahnicest6525]

Spector should be in prison for that.

[@rickmayer4002]

That song is pretentious and lame not every song is gold.

[@davidgraham8299]

No, it's not gold, it's platinum.

[@rickmayer4002]

@@davidgraham8299 Ya I guess Paul's worst songs are still better than most. But to me it's lame.

[@peterrichards931]

Oh so the heck what. The result was a #1 hit, and the pre-Spector version wouldn't have made it to the top 20. Listen to the 2 versions objectively.

[@ruttles]

Clickbait rubbish. So we should see a masterpiece we've loved for 50+ years as faulted in some way?...

[@richardhawkins4621]

I dont agree the phil spector production is much better than the original it is a masterpiece

[@grahamtowers5513]

I can't here the song here, just a lot of talking, pointless video without being able to hear what the hell you are talking about

[@glenbard657]

What a bunch of crap! The Phil Spector version is much better no matter what a bunch of Beatles sycophants say. Paul McCartney also thought it was a good idea to marry Heather Mills.

[@donhancock7992]

Thank goodness for Let it b3, Naked, a superior product!!

[@davidgraham8299]

Yep, not all of Paul's decisions have been winners.

[@thomaspacker2626]

I actually have trouble understanding Paul's feelings toward Phil Spector. He put Brian Wilson at the beach boys on a high pedestal and Brian Wilson loved Phil Specter's treatment…

[@Aikitide]

The Naked version is far better. The first time I heard it I let out a strange sound and giant exhale of breath, a release of the tension the first version always gave me. Spector was completely wrong for the Beatles.

[@marcusphelan57]

it's a different take. Spector used the Glyn Johns' choice/

[@ceediddy925]

Phil Spector...most overrated producer in music history. This song, and every song on All Things Must Pass would have been much better with George Martin.