Bill Withers, Let It Be | COVERS

In the second edition of COVERS (2026), Bill Withers delivers a compelling rendition of “Let It Be,” originally performed by The Beatles.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established and lesser-known musicians. In the second edition of COVERS (2026), Bill Withers delivers a compelling rendition of “Let It Be”, originally performed by The Beatles.

Mother Mattie? Yes, that is what Grammy-winning, soul singer-songwriter extraordinaire Bill Withers sings on “Let It Be”.  In the original song by The Beatles, performed and written by Paul McCartney (b. 1942), McCartney sings “Mother Mary” instead.  That is just one of many ways that Withers makes a big-time number-one hit his own. “Let It Be” is the eighth track on Withers’ 1971, critically acclaimed debut album, Just as I Am.  Yes, “Ain’t No Sunshine” is the Grammy-winning crown jewel from Just As I Am, but his masterful cover of “Let It Be” deserves recognition as well.  Notably, Booker T. Jones (b. 1944) produced it.

 

Covering a juggernaut like “Let It Be” is an arduous task, but Bill Withers ate and left no crumbs.  His rendition begins with a unique, hyper rhythmic percussive groove (led by the tambourine). The organ outlines the familiar tune as Withers hums along.  Withers distinguishes “Let It Be” from the original early on. He delivers incredibly expressive and soulful vocals over an equally soulful, bluesy, and gospel-infused background (organ, tambourine, and rhythmic guitar). During the second verse, claps up the ante, as Bill continues to give his all.  The final chorus, following the second verse, digs in even more, thanks to a more boisterous organ, taking us to church!

“Let it be, let it be

Lord, let it be, Lord, let it be, ah-ha

There will be an answer, let it be

Lord, let it be, let it be, ah

Let it be, let it be.”

Concluding this epic cover, Withers hums once more. “Let It Be” by The Beatles is a legendary record, and hard to even come close to touching.  Bill Withers does his big one, making this masterpiece truly his own and special in its own right.

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Bill Withers » Just as I Am » Sony Music Entertainment » 1971

Bill Withers, Let It Be: Covers No. 2 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; Alan Cordero, Flávia Vicentini from Pexels; Gordon Johnson, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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