The Chart-Topping Beatles Album That Paul McCartney Couldn't Stand: 'It Went Against Everything The Beatles Wanted To Do'

As one of the most iconic musical groups of all time, The Beatles have had more than their share of critically well-received album releases.

From early hits like With the Beatles to transformative classics like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles are one of the few bands in rock history to have nothing but enjoyable hits making up their larger discography.

As fantastic as many of their musical ventures were over the years, however, there’s one classic Beatles album that Paul McCartney remains less than enthusiastic about.

According to Far Out Magazine, McCartney maintains a cool-headed view of the band’s 1970 tour de force Let It Be, the twelfth and final Beatles album the group released prior to their breakup in 1970.

While McCartney initially envisioned the project as an epic collaboration between himself, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, studio interference from Phil Spector on the album’s direction ultimately led to increasing frustration for McCartney.

As an example, McCartney had hoped to present “The Long and Winding Road” as a straightforward song, using a simple arrangement of piano, bass, guitar and percussion instruments.

When Spector got his hands on the song, though, he made significant changes to “The Long and Winding Road,” notably adding orchestral backgrounds at the cost of McCartney’s vocal tracks.

“The album was finished a year ago, but a few months ago American record producer Phil Spector was called in by John Lennon to tidy up some of the tracks,” McCartney said in 1970. “But a few weeks ago, I was sent a re-mixed version of my song ‘The Long And Winding Road’, with harps, horns, an orchestra and women’s choir added.”

“No one had asked me what I thought. I couldn’t believe it,” the iconic singer-songwriter continued. “The record came with a note from Allen Klein saying he thought the changes were necessary. I don’t blame Phil Spector for doing it but it just goes to show that it’s no good me sitting here thinking I’m in control because obviously, I’m not.”

Beatles producer George Martin felt the same way, remarking of the album, “It was so uncharacteristic of The Beatles. It went against everything The Beatles wanted to do with the record. He tried to use the same techniques that he used on other people’s records, and it didn’t work.”