A final preview track has been released today (8) as anticipation builds for the October 15 appearance of the Special Edition of The Beatles’ 1970 album Let It Be. It’s “The Long and Winding Road (2021 Mix),” completed by producer Giles Martin.
This follows the September 17 appearance of four other previously unreleased takes and mixes that will be part of the lavish box set release: “Get Back” (Take 8), “One After 909 (Take 3),” “I Me Mine (1970 Glyn Johns Mix),” and “Across The Universe (2021 Mix).” August brought the first three teasers for the set in the form of “Let It Be” (2021 Stereo Mix), “Don’t Let Me Down” (first rooftop performance), and “For You Blue” (Get Back LP Mix).
Paul McCartney’s enduring and much-loved ballad “The Long and Winding Road” was never released as a single in The Beatles’ home country, but it was in many others. It was issued as a 45 in the US in May 1970, becoming the group’s 20th and final No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning platinum certification for one million shipments. It also reached No.2 on the Easy Listening chart, went to No.1 in Canada and was a substantial hit in other countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
The song has attracted hundreds of cover versions, from early interpretations by the likes of Johnny Mathis, the Four Tops, and Diana Ross, to versions in the 1970s by Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Cher. Later readings include those by George Michael, Judy Collins, and Yusuf Islam.
The physical and digital Super Deluxe configurations of Let It Be Special Edition will boast no fewer than 27 previously unissued session recordings. A four-track Let It Be EP will be included along with Glyn Johns’ unreleased 14-track Get Back stereo LP mix, from May 1969.
Pre-order The Beatles’ Let It Be Special Edition packages, which are released on October 15.