LET IT BE. THE BEATLES

 

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-beatles/let-it-be

Paul McCartney wrote this song. It was inspired by his mother, Mary, who died when he was 14. Many people thought "Mother Mary" was a biblical reference when they heard it.

According to McCartney, this is a very positive song, owing to its inspiration. One night when he was paranoid and anxious, he had a dream where he saw his mother, who had been dead for ten years or so - she came to him in his time of trouble, speaking words of wisdom that brought him much peace when he needed it. It was this sweet dream that got him to begin writing the song.

The Beatles weren't the first to release this song - Aretha Franklin was. The Queen of Soul recorded it in December 1969, and it was released on her album This Girl's In Love With You in January 1970, two months before The Beatles released their version (she also covered The Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" on that album).

In April 1987, this was released as a charity single in aid of The Sun newspaper's Zeebrugge ferry disaster fund. Featuring Paul McCartney, Mark Knopfler, Kate Bush, Boy George and many others, it was called "Ferry Aid" and spent three weeks at #1 in the UK. >>

COVERS

LYRICS

LET IT BE

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be, be

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shinin' until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Songwriters:  Lennon, John Winston / Mccartney, Paul James

VOCABULARY

 

wisdom   UK:*/ˈwɪzdəm             (being wise)      sabiduría nf  She was a woman of great wisdom.  Era una mujer de gran sabiduría.

Whisper UK:*/ˈhwɪspər/            (talk softly)        murmurar⇒ vi  susurrar⇒ vi  The professor was whispering and no one could hear what he was saying.  El profesor murmuraba y nadie podía oír lo que estaba diciendo.

agree  UK:*/əˈgriː/ agree⇒ vi           (individual: think same)               estar de acuerdo vi + loc adv ·         I think we should leave—do you agree? Creo que deberíamos irnos; ¿estás de acuerdo? agree with [sb] vi + prep             (have same opinion)     estar de acuerdo con alguien vi + loc adv ·         I asked Jane for her opinion, and she agreed with me. Le pregunté a Jane su opinión y está de acuerdo conmigo. agree with [sb] about [sth], agree with [sb] on [sth] v expr (have same opinion about)        coincidir con alguien sobre algo, coincidir con alguien en algo loc verb / estar de acuerdo con alguien en algo loc verb ·         We all agreed with Jack about the colour of the new chairs. Todos coincidimos con Jack sobre el color de las sillas nuevas. agree that vtr   (with clause: share opinion)       estar de acuerdo en que loc verb / coincidir en que loc verb ·         All the pupils agree that she is a good teacher. Todos los alumnos están de acuerdo en que es una buena profesora. agree⇒ vi           (group: share opinion)  estar de acuerdo vi + loc adv ·         The councillor proposed an increase in funding for refuse collections and the entire committee agreed. El concejal propuso un aumento de la financiación para la recogida de basuras y todo el comité estuvo de acuerdo. agree vi               (say yes)             acceder⇒ vi /aceptar⇒ vi ·         I asked him to come to the party and he agreed.  Le pedí que viniera a la fiesta y accedió. agree vi               (harmonize, tally)           concordar⇒ vi /corresponder⇒ vi /coincidir⇒ vi We both counted the votes, but our results don't agree; I tallied 750 "yes" votes and you got only 748. Ambos hicimos el escrutinio de los votos, pero nuestros resultados no concuerdan: yo conté 750 votos a favor y tú solo contaste 748. agree on [sth] vi + prep               (decide mutually)           acordar⇒, convenir⇒ vtr  ponerse de acuerdo en loc verb + prep Both sides agreed on a truce.  Ambos lados acordaron una tregua. agree upon [sth] vi + prep          slightly formal (decide mutually)             acordar / convener / ponerse de acuerdo en The two men agreed upon a price for the secondhand car. Los dos hombres acordaron el precio del coche usado.

Though  UK:*/ˈðəʊ/   (however)             sin embargo loc adv I thought it would be easy to find a job; I was wrong, though.  Creí que iba a ser más fácil encontrar un trabajo. Sin embargo, me equivoqué. though conj       (although)          aunque conj Though it was dark out, they went for a walk.  Aunque estaba oscuro afuera, ellos fueron a dar un paseo. though conj       (even if)              aunque conj I wouldn't call him, though he begged me.  Yo no lo llamaría aunque me rogara.

Chance  UK:*/ˈtʃɑːns/  (not design)        casualidad nf  azar nm We found this café by chance.  Descubrimos este café por casualidad. chance n             (opportunity) (ocasión)               oportunidad nf  I hope to have the chance to travel.  Espero tener la oportunidad de viajar. chance n             (probability)      probabilidad nf The chance of rain is very slim. Hay pocas probabilidades de lluvia.

También tienes a tu disposición la presentación de "Aprende inglés con canciones"

OCTOPUS'S GARDEN. THE BEATLES

 

Ringo Starr: vocals, drums, percussion, effects
John Lennon: guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass, piano
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar

Ringo Starr’s second composition for The Beatles was written in Sardinia. On 22 August 1968 he temporarily walked out of sessions for the White Album after becoming disenchanted with the increasing tensions within the group. He took his family abroad for a boating holiday, returning to Abbey Road on 5 September.

I wrote ‘Octopus’s Garden’ in Sardinia. Peter Sellers had lent us his yacht and we went out for the day… I stayed out on deck with [the captain] and we talked about octopuses. He told me that they hang out in their caves and they go around the seabed finding shiny stones and tin cans and bottles to put in front of their cave like a garden. I thought this was fabulous, because at the time I just wanted to be under the sea too. A couple of tokes later with the guitar – and we had ‘Octopus’s Garden’!

Lyrics

OCTOPUS' GARDEN 

I'd like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus' garden
In the shade

He'd let us in
Knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden
In the shade

I'd ask my friends
To come and see
An octopus' garden
With me

I'd like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus' garden
In the shade

We would be warm
Below the storm
In our little hideaway
Beneath the waves

Resting our head
On the seabed
In an octopus' garden
Near a cave

We would sing
And dance around
Because we know
We can't be found

I'd like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus' garden
In the shade

We would shout
And swim about
The coral that lies
Beneath the waves
(Lies beneath the ocean waves)

Oh what joy
For every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy
And they're safe
(Happy and they're safe)

We would be so happy
You and me
No one there to tell us
What to do

I'd like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus' garden
With you

In an octopus' garden
With you
In an octopus' garden
With you

 

La idea de la canción surgió cuando Starr estaba en un barco perteneciente al cómico Peter Sellers en Cerdeña en 1968. Pidió pescado con patatas fritas para el almuerzo, pero en vez de pescado se le sirvió calamar. Esta era la primera vez que probaba los calamares, y afirmó: "Estaba bien. Un poco correoso. Sabía a pollo"). El capitán del bote le contó a Starr cómo los pulpos viajan a lo largo del lecho marino recogiendo piedras y objetos brillantes con los que construir jardines. La composición de Starr se inspiró aún más en su deseo de escapar de la creciente hostilidad entre los Beatles, admitiendo más tarde que "también quería estar bajo el mar". Harrison proporcionó ayuda no acreditada en el desarrollo de los cambios de acordes de la canción. En el documental "Let It Be" se le puede ver ayudando a Starr a trabajar la canción en el piano, y a Lennon después uniéndose a la batería.

La canción, que contiene la letra "Oh, qué alegría para cada niña y niño / Sabiendo que están felices y seguros", a veces se la considera una canción para niños, como "Yellow Submarine" o "All Together Now". También ha sido interpretada por los Muppets varias veces en varios episodios de sus shows.

NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE. THE JACKSON 5 (1970)/ GLORIA GAYNOR (1974)/ THE COMMUNARDS (1987)

 

https://talkaboutpopmusic.com/2021/06/11/cover-vs-original-never-can-say-goodbye/

 The song, “Never Can Say Goodbye”, was originally recorded by the Jackson 5 in 1970

Disco standard “Never Can Say Goodbye” was written by Clifton Davis (b.1945) for the Jackson 5’s fifth studio album, “Maybe Tomorrow”, and recorded in late 1970. It was released as the first single from the album in March 1971 and peaked at No.2 in America and No.1 on the R&B chart. The song only made No.33 in the UK.

Disco queen Gloria Gaynor (b.1943) recorded a version in 1974 for her debut album of the same name and scored a bigger hit with it internationally, giving her a first hit in the UK where it peaked at No.2, No.3 in Australia, top ten across most of mainland Europe and No.9 in The States, while topping the then new Dance/Disco chart.

In 1987, British duo Jimmy Somerville and Richard Coles aka The Communards recorded their version for their second studio album, “Red”. Having already achieved a big hit with “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, the song was released as the second single in November and would chart at No.4 on home territory, top ten across Europe and No.51 in America and No.2 on the Dance chart.

But whose version is the best? JACKSON 5’s original, GLORIA’s disco version or COMMUNARDS’ 80’s rework


LYRICS. Las palabras destacadas en amarillo aparecen debajo en la sección de vocabulary.

Never Can Say Goodbye.    Gloria Gaynor

 

I never can say goodbye

No, no, no I, I never can say goodbye

Every time I think I've had enough

And start heading for the door

There's a very strange vibration

Kissing me right to the core

 

It says turn around you fool

You know you love him more

And more

Tell me why is it so?

Don't wanna let you go

 

I never can say goodbye boy

Ooh ooh baby I never can say goodbye

No no no no no no

Ooh hey I never can say goodbye, boy

Ooh ooh baby

I never can say goodbye

[No no no no no no] hey

 

I never can say goodbye [never say goodbye, boy]

Oh no, no, no I, I never can say goodbye

[Never say goodbye, boy]

I keep thinking that our problems soon are all gonna work out

But there's that same unhappy feeling

There's that anguish, there's that doubt

It's that same old dizzy hangup

I can't do with you or without

Tell me why is it so? I don't wanna let you go

I never can say goodbye boy, ooh baby

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

Hey I never can say goodbye boy, ooh baby

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

 

I never can say goodbye, boy

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

I never can say goodbye, boy

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

(Never can say goodbye, boy)

(Never can say goodbye, boy)

 

I never can say goodbye, boy

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

I never can say goodbye, boy

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

 

Ooh ooh ooh hey I never can say goodbye, boy

No no no baby hey never can say goodbye

No no no no please, don't make me say goodbye

Hey I will never say goodbye, no baby

Oh please don't leave me, no no no no

Hey oh I can't say goodbye, boy

No no no baby

Oh please don't oooh, baby

 

 

 VOCABULARY

core n   (centre of a planet)        centro nm / núcleo nm

                The Earth's core is thousands of kilometers below ground. El centro de la Tierra está a miles de kilómetros bajo tierra.

core n   (centre of a fruit)            corazón nm

                The core of a pear is stringy and tough. El corazón de la pera es fibroso y duro.

core n   figurative (essential part)            meollo nm / núcleo nm    (figurado)       corazón nm

                The core of the problem remains unsolved, and the two sides continue to be at war.

                El meollo del problema permanece sin resolver y ambos bandos continúan en guerra.

core n   (nuclear power)              núcleo nm

                The reactor's core melted, and caused hundreds of deaths. El núcleo del reactor se fundió y provocó cientos de muertes.

core n   figurative (soul) (figurative)       médula nf  / tuétano nm

                He is a conservative to his very core.   Es conservador hasta la médula.

core n   (muscles of torso, abdomen)    zona media nf + adj  / abdominales nmpl

                This exercise is a great way to tone your core.  Este ejercicio es genial para tonificar la zona media.

core [sth]⇒ vtr (fruit: remove centre)  descarozar⇒, deshuesar⇒ vtr  / sacar el corazón, sacar el centro loc verb

                First, you need to core the apple.  Primero, debes descarozar (or: deshuesar) la manzana.

 

 

work out vi phrasal         (exercise)           ejercitarse⇒ v prnl  /hacer ejercicio, / entrenar loc verb

                We're going to the gym to work out this afternoon. Vamos al gimnasio a ejercitarnos esta tarde.

work [sth] out,

work out [sth] vtr phrasal sep   (solve)  resolver⇒ vtr / solucionar⇒ vtr

                I'm still trying to work out this last crossword clue. Estamos tratando de resolver la última pista del crucigrama.

work [sth] out,

work out [sth] vtr phrasal sep   informal (resolve)           resolver⇒ vtr

                They have a lot of problems to work out with their marriage. Tienen muchos problemas que resolver en su matrimonio

Things are very hostile between management and the union; it isn't clear how they will work out this dispute.

                 Las cosas están muy mal entre la administración y el sindicato, no sé cómo van a resolver esta disputa.

work [sb] out vtr phrasal sep     informal (understand [sb])         entender a vtr + prep                  

Marc is a moody character; I can't work him out. No entiendo a Marc, es un tipo de carácter cambiante.

 

 

 

anguish n            (distress)            angustia nf

                The athlete fell to his knees in the anguish of defeat. El atleta cayó de rodillas en la angustia de la derrota.

 

 

 

dizzy adj              (feeling vertiginous)      mareado/a adj

                Robert was dizzy after spinning around in circles. Robert estaba mareado después de girar en círculos.

dizzy adj              figurative, slang (silly, unintelligent)       tonto/a adj / atontado/a adj

                Ann is very nice, but she's a bit dizzy sometimes. Ann es agradable, pero un poco tonta a veces.

dizzy adj              (causing vertigo)             vertiginoso/a adj

                The dizzy height of the cliff made Glenn's head spin. La altura vertiginosa del acantilado le dio dolor de cabeza a Glenn.

dizzy [sb]⇒ vtr (make dizzy)      marear a vtr + prep

                The speed we were travelling at dizzied me.  La velocidad a la que viajábamos me mareaba.

 

 

hang-up n           informal (psychological complex)            complejo nm

                I've got a hang-up about the size of my hips. Tengo complejo por el tamaño de mis caderas.

hang-up n           US, informal (impediment)        impedimento nm

                 (voz inglesa)     hándicap nm   We've run into a bit of a hang-up and need more time to finish.

 

 

SOME MORE INFORMATION

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Can_Say_Goodbye

 

"Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by The Jackson 5. The song was originally written and intended for the Supremes; however, Motown decided it would be better for the Jackson 5. It was the first single released from the group's 1971 album Maybe Tomorrow, and was one of the group's most successful records. It has been covered numerous times, most notably in 1974 by Gloria Gaynor and in 1987 by British pop group The Communards.

The Jackson 5 original version

The recording features 12-year-old Michael Jackson singing a serious song about a love, with accompaniment from his brothers. Although such a record was unusual for a teenage group, "Never Can Say Goodbye" was a number-two hit for three consecutive weeks on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, stuck behind Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World" (May 8–22, 1971), and a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States.^[1] In the United Kingdom, it reached number 33 on the UK Singles Chart.

Notable televised performances of the song by the Jackson 5 (and their newer incarnation, The Jacksons) include:

·         The Flip Wilson Show, November 4, 1971 – this recording appears on the 2009 Jackson 5 CD I Want You Back! Unreleased Masters

·         One More Time (Jackson 5 TV special), January 10, 1974

·         The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, April 4, 1974

·         Cher, March 16, 1975

·         The Jacksons, July 7, 1976

·         Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, May 16, 1983

In addition, the song appeared on the animated TV show The Jackson 5ive in the episode "A Rare Pearl", which aired on January 15, 1972.

This version appears in the 1994 movie Crooklyn and on the second volume of its soundtrack album.

Gloria Gaynor version

A major version by Gloria Gaynor, re-imagined as a disco record in 1974, was a number-nine hit on the U.S. Pop Singles chart and went to number 34 on the Soul Singles chart.^[6] The Gloria Gaynor version became one of the defining recordings of the disco era. Indeed, her version peaked at number two in the United Kingdom during January 1975, and number three in Canada, surpassing the Jackson Five's original recording in those nations.

Gaynor's cover, released on MGM records, was produced by the Disco Corporation of America, a production company newly formed by Meco Monardo and Tony Bongiovi to which Gaynor was signed. Also working on this production were Jay Ellis and Harold Wheeler.^[7]

Gaynor's cover has the distinction of occupying the number-one spot on the first Dance/Disco chart to appear in Billboard magazine. Never Can Say Goodbye was also the title of Gaynor's debut album on which the single appeared.

Gaynor has re-recorded the song on more than one occasion, in increasingly fast tempos, and subsequent remixes have hit the dance charts.

Gaynor's version of the song was heard on the TV series Charmed ("That '70s Episode"), and is featured on the video game series Just Dance 2015

The Communards version

In 1987, British band the Communards had a hit with a hi-NRG cover of the song, which was featured on their second album, Red.

Their version reached number one in Spain and number two in Ireland, number four on the UK Singles Chart, number 51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number two on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco chart in the U.S. The group had reached number one on those charts covering another 1970s classic, "Don't Leave Me This Way", in 1986. The cover was also a top 10 hit in several European countries and New Zealand.

A music video was produced for this version of the song, directed by Andy Morahan.^[24]

The Communards version of the song was used as the signature tune to the 2013 British comedy series Vicious.