Songs > The Long And Winding Road

The Long And Winding Road

(Lennon/McCartney)

Song background
After the Beatles had been completely inactive in the studio for 6 months following "Abbey Road", the master tapes from the "Let It Be" sessions were given to American producer Phil Spector by the Beatles manager Allen Klein for rework. Spector slowed down songs, added choirs, and added orchestrations, particularly to Paul's "The Long and Winding Road". When Paul heard it he became furious and, soon after his request to remove the rework from his song was denied, left the band.

Recording dates ...

Release dates

• March 11, 1970 (US) ("The Long And Winding Road/For You Blue" single)
• May 18, 1970 (US & UK) (on Let It Be)
• March 22, 1982 (US) (on Reel Music)
• March 29, 1982 (UK) (on Reel Music)
• November 14, 2000 (UK & US) (on Beatles 1)

Recording notes ...

Chart performance

• #1, June 13 - June 20, 1970 (2 weeks), Billboard (US)

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Notable covers ...