SONGBOOK
LET IT BE/YOU KNOW MY NAME (LOOK UP THE NUMBER)
A-side:
Let It Be (Lennon-McCartney)
B-side:
You Know My Name (Look Up The Number) (Lennon-McCartney)
Released: 6 March 1970 (Apple)
Highest chart position: 2
Weeks in chart: 17
FAB FACT
The inspiration for ‘Let It Be’ came from a dream. Paul, increasingly affected by the strains of his life as a Beatle, had a dream where his mother, Mary, told him that he would be okay and to let go of his stress.
FAB FACT
The single was released to try to temper the persistent media commentary that The Beatles were no more. At the time, their split was not public knowledge.
FAB FACT
‘You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)’ is one of The Beatles’ strangest releases. Recorded in 1967 and 1969, the song started off with John creating a mantra, and then moved on to include The Beatles jamming different musical styles – a ska section was edited out of the final version – along with comedic ad libbing. Paul invited Brian Jones to the studio to take part in the session, and the Rolling Stone turned up with a saxophone instead of an instrument he was actually skilled in playing. (And he was skilled in many.) Such was the good humour, though, that he joined in and did his best.
FAB FACT
In November 1969, John tried to release ‘You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)’ as a single by the Plastic Ono Band with another comedic jam, ‘What’s The New Mary Jane’, as its B-side. The plan was vetoed by his bandmates. ‘What’s The New Mary Jane’ was later released as part of the Anthology project.