The Long and Winding Road

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some far-out vibes as The Zoo Crew spins The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles from their 1970 album Let It Be. This soulful ballad, written by Paul McCartney, carries a heavy emotional weight, reflecting the unraveling of the band during their final days. McCartney has shared that the song is about "the unattainable; the door you never quite reach," capturing a sense of longing and the bittersweet end of The Beatles’ journey together. Posts on X from @BeatlemaniaUK highlight its significance, calling it McCartney’s "bittersweet farewell" to the band, inspired by the tensions that led to their breakup. It’s a track that hits deep, Zoo Freaks, with its wistful piano and heartfelt lyrics.

The recording of The Long and Winding Road has its own wild story. Laid down on January 26, 1969, at Apple Studios, the original take was a raw, simple ballad with McCartney on piano, John Lennon on bass, George Harrison on guitar, and Ringo Starr on drums. But when producer Phil Spector got his hands on it in April 1970, he transformed it with a lush orchestral arrangement—18 violins, four violas, four cellos, a harp, three trumpets, three trombones, and a 14-voice choir, all scored by Richard Hewson. McCartney was livid about these additions, especially the choir, as he preferred no female voices on Beatles tracks. He was so upset that he cited Spector’s heavy-handed production as one of the reasons for dissolving The Beatles’ legal partnership in court. A stripped-down version, closer to McCartney’s vision, was later released in 2003 on Let It Be… Naked, letting the song’s raw emotion shine through.

Here’s a groovy tidbit for you Zoo Freaks: The Long and Winding Road became The Beatles’ 20th and final number-one hit in the U.S. on June 13, 1970, paired with For You Blue as a double-sided single. It’s also been covered by a ton of artists, from Ray Charles to Aretha Franklin, with Franklin’s 1972 version on Young, Gifted and Black being praised by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest Beatles covers ever. Another cool fact? McCartney offered the song to Tom Jones in 1968, but only if Jones released it as his next single. Jones had another track lined up, so he passed—a decision he later regretted, as he told Media Wales in 2012. The song’s universal appeal even inspired Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso, who referenced its iconic line in his 1972 song It’s a Long Way.

Now, let’s rewind to how The Beatles got their start. Hailing from Liverpool, England, the band formed in 1960 with the core lineup of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock ‘n’ roll, they began as a scrappy group playing gigs in local clubs like The Cavern Club and in Hamburg, Germany. Their big break came in 1961 when Brian Epstein, a local record store manager, saw them perform and became their manager. Convinced of their potential, Epstein secured a deal with Parlophone, a subsidiary of EMI, under producer George Martin. Martin’s guidance was key, suggesting they swap drummer Pete Best for Ringo Starr and reshaping their early hit Please Please Me into a chart-topping banger. By 1963, Beatlemania was in full swing, with fans going wild over their long hair, cheeky humor, and infectious tunes.

The Beatles’ innovative sound, blending classical, folk, Indian music, psychedelia, and hard rock, revolutionized the music industry. Their cultural impact was massive, sparking the 1960s counterculture and earning them honors like the Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1965. After their breakup in 1970, all four members pursued solo careers, with McCartney forming Wings, Lennon collaborating with Yoko Ono, and Harrison and Starr also finding success. Tragically, Lennon was murdered in 1980, but his legacy lives on, as does the band’s enduring influence. You can keep up with The Beatles’ official updates on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

For you Zoo Freaks who can’t get enough, there are some righteous fan communities out there. Check out the British Beatles Fan Club for news and events, or dive into the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool for an immersive experience with authentic memorabilia. On Facebook, groups like The Beatles Fans and Beatlemania Forever are buzzing with fans sharing stories, rare photos, and love for the Fab Four. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let The Long and Winding Road take you back to the magic of The Beatles!