<P> The alternate mix on their album Let It Be features an additional guitar solo and some minor differences in the orchestral sections . </P> <P> In 1987, the song was recorded by charity supergroup Ferry Aid (which included McCartney). It reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks and reached the top ten in many other European countries . </P> <P> McCartney said he had the idea of "Let It Be" after he had a dream about his mother during the tense period surrounding the sessions for The Beatles ("the White Album") in 1968 . According to McCartney, the song's reference to "Mother Mary" was not biblical . The phrase has at times been used as a reference to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ . Nevertheless, McCartney explained that his mother--who died of cancer when he was fourteen--was the inspiration for the "Mother Mary" lyric . He later said: "It was great to visit with her again . I felt very blessed to have that dream . So that got me writing' Let It Be' ." He also said in a later interview about the dream that his mother had told him, "It will be all right, just let it be ." When asked if the song referred to the Virgin Mary, McCartney has typically answered the question by assuring his fans that they can interpret the song however they like . </P> <P> The first rehearsal of "Let It Be" took place at Twickenham Film Studios on 3 January 1969, where the group had, the previous day, begun what would become the Let It Be film . During this stage of the film they were only recording on the mono decks used for syncing to the film cameras, and were not making multi-track recordings for release . A single take was recorded, with just McCartney on piano and vocals . The first attempt with the other Beatles was made on 8 January . Work continued on the song throughout the month . Multi-track recordings commenced on 23 January at Apple Studios . </P>

Who was let it be originally written for