Context

This line was sung by The Beatles in the song "Let It Be" written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney from the album Let It Be (1970).

"Let It Be" is a sad song from The Beatles' final album, entitled Let It Be, and exists solely to melt you into a puddle of feelings. The "Mother Mary" from the opening lines isn't the Virgin Mary from the New Testament, or even an herbal refreshment that The Beatles used to be fond of, but it's actually Paul McCartney's mother, who died of cancer when he was fourteen.

Paul's mom visited him in a dream, told him everything would be alright, and voila, you get the inspiration for "Let It Be." Add a beautiful piano intro (also from Paul), a nice guitar solo from George Harrison, some haunting organ from musician Billy Preston, and "Let It Be" is a blueprint for the title track on a breakup album.

"Let It Be" is a song you want to listen to when you're sad, but you want just a touch of happy memories at the end. You can sit back, turn on your music, and just let things be for four minutes.

Where you've heard it

Someone has probably told you this on a tough day when nothing is going your way. Or maybe you've just sung along to it at karaoke night.

Additional Notable References:

• Paul McCartney made a surprise appearance to perform "Let It Be" with Billy Joel at the last concert ever performed at the legendary Shea Stadium, home of the New York Mets and the Beatles' first stop on their first American tour in 1965.
• There is a parody version of "Let It Be" called "Sink A Three," which was recorded in honor of the 2015 NBA MVP Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and his sharp shooting abilities. Plus the backing choir vocals are really good.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Yes, "Let It Be" might be a tad overplayed or cliché, but it's still a classic, isn’t it? And if people get mad at you for saying it… well, just let it be.