Dolly Parton is pulling out the big guns on the latest single from her upcoming first foray into rock ‘n’ roll. After dropping a few originals and two covers, the country icon unleashed a powerful version of the Beatles’ “Let It Be” on Friday morning (Aug. 18), backed by the two living Fab Four members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
The majestic version of one of the most covered songs in modern times begins with Parton singing over the familiar piano intro, with McCartney joining her on the second line: “Words of wisdom speak, let it be.” The second verse expands with a distant, echoing drum pattern and soulful organ before the strings and full orchestration turn it into the well-known lush pop classic that McCartney wrote at the end of the Beatles’ run and that gave the name to the last studio album release of the group.
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“Well, does it get any better than singing ‘Let It Be’ with Paul McCartney who wrote the song?” Parton asked in a statement. “Not only that, he played the piano! Well, things got even better when Ringo Starr joined on drums, Peter Frampton on guitar and Mick Fleetwood on percussion. I mean, seriously, how much better does it get? Thanks guys!”
Parton’s song was eagerly awaited rock star (November 17) album marks one of Starr and McCartney’s rare collaborations outside of their own projects — they reunited in 2020 for Ringo’s song “Here’s to the Nights” from his Zoom in EP and a year earlier when Starr came in as a surprise guest on the last show of McCartney’s Freshen Up tour.
Parton’s 49th studio album is her first rock album and it features 30 tracks – 21 covers and 9 originals – packed with rock stars teaming up with the 77-year-old national treasure who was initiated into Rock and Roll. Hall of Fame last year on their signature songs.
Among the rockers joining Parton are: Sting (“Every Breath You Take”), former Journey vocalist Steve Perry (“Open Arms”), Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart (“Magic Man”), John Fogerty (“ Long as I Can See the Light”), Joan Jett (“I Hate Myself For Loving You”), goddaughter Miley Cyrus (“Wrecking Ball”), Debbie Harry (“Heart of Glass”) and Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo (” Heartbreaker”), among many others.
So far, Parton has teased the album with the originals “World on Fire” and “Bygones” (featuring Judas Priest’s Rob Halford), as well as covers of Queen’s “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions”) and the Heart’s “Magical man” cover. Other singers joining Parton on the album include Lizzo, P!nk and Brandi Carlile, Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris, Duran Duran’s Simon LeBon, Chris Stapleton and Elton John and others.
Listen to “Let it Be” below.
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