Dolly Parton Thrills Fans With Cover Of The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ Alongside Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr

Aug 21, 2023

Dolly Parton is easily one of the greatest country music icons, and she has her soul-rending voice, gifted songwriting skills, and unique personality to thank for this. The talented singer has regaled fans with back-to-back hits like “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors” since she released her first song, “Puppy Love,” in 1959. 

Parton has enjoyed an incredible career since she started singing. She penned the famous song “I Will Always Love You,” made more popular by the astounding late singer Whitney Houston, while the late Elvis Presley loved it and offered to make a cover. Although he didn’t get to record it due to his manager’s unacceptable request, his ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, later told Parton that Elvis sang the song to her on the day they finalized their divorce.

Parton is a gifted businesswoman just as much as a great musician. She credits her business acumen to her dad and her musical skills to her mum’s family. The singer left home after finishing high school to pursue a music career, and although she initially worked for Combine Publishing, writing songs for famous singers which became top-10 hits, Parton soon started recording her own songs. The Pittman Center native has spent over five decades in the spotlight and has positively impacted fans with her music. 

Parton once again did something incredible when she did a cover of The Beatles' song, “Let It Be,” and got the two remaining members of The Beatles to feature on the track. The clip was posted on her YouTube page on Aug. 18, 2023, and amassed over 700,000 likes in just two days as fans and McCartney lauded the production. Keep reading to know who else made up the classic recording. 

Parton constantly strives to inspire those who listen to her music. Her songs have often emphasized the importance of courage, faith, friendship and love. One of her songs, “When Life Is Good Again,” released in May 2020, channeled some of these messages. The single was Parton’s first song after a short hiatus and was co-written by her and Kent Wells to uplift listeners with the song's beautiful lyrics. 

“When life is good again / I’ll be a better friend / A bigger person when / Life is good again,” some of the lyrics read. "I’ll open up my heart / And let the whole world in / I’ll try to make amends / When life is good again.”

Despite being a singer for the last five decades, Parton isn’t ready to retire. She told Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio in July 2023 that she would rather die while performing on stage.

Meanwhile, the singer-songwriter’s dedication over the years has not gone unnoticed. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, even though she initially resisted thinking she didn’t deserve it. 

“Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right,” the legend tweeted in March 2022.

The country music icon later accepted the recognition. In honor of the nomination, she was inspired to make a Rock n’ Roll album. Parton’s first rock album is titled “Rockstar” and is set to drop on Nov. 17, 2023. To make a befitting first rock album, the songstress brought together several old friends on the songs, including Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Lizzo, Chris Stapleton, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. 

Parton made many happy when she uploaded one of the songs listed for the album on her YouTube page on Aug. 18, 2023, not just because the song was a delightful cover of The Beatles' song, “Let It Be,” but also because it featured a rare collaboration between the last two surviving members of The Beatles. 

The song also featured two other music legends, Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood.

Although McCartney and Starr have collaborated on several songs since George Harrison died in 2001, they have rarely performed any of the songs they did as members of The Beatles. McCartney played the piano for Parton’s cover of the sentimental song, while Starr took the drums. 

“Let It Be” holds great meaning for the duo and fans of the famous band because it was the title song for the last album The Beatles made together before parting in 1970. The song was co-written by McCartney and the late John Lennon and sung by the former.

Meanwhile, Parton had a lot of fun recording with the icons. She told Today in May 2023: 

“It is fantastic. Paul was so gracious. And he played the piano, and he sang on it. They just killed it.”

She said after the recording: 

“Well, does it get any better than singing ‘Let It Be’ with Paul McCartney who wrote the song? Not only that, he played piano! Well, it did get even better when Ringo Starr joined in on drums, Peter Frampton on guitar and Mick Fleetwood playing percussion.”

McCartney also loved the “Jolene” singer’s cover of his song.

“Thanks Dolly for doing my song," he wrote in the comment section under Parton’s post. “I love your version and am very pleased to be by your side on this one. Rock on !”

Have you listened to Dolly Parton’s cover of “Let It Be?” What do you think of it? Let us know, and be sure to pass this on to fans of Dolly Parton and The Beatles.