Let It Be (Labrinth song)
| "Let It Be" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Labrinth | ||||
| Released | 28 September 2014 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 3:06 | |||
| Label | Syco | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Labrinth singles chronology | ||||
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"Let It Be" is a song by English
Style and production
Speaking about the song to the Official Charts Company, Labrinth has stated that he was influenced by acts such as Electric Light Orchestra, Nina Simone, James Brown and John Barry when writing and recording "Let It Be", explaining that he "wanted to go gospel and soul and mix it with rock and electronic production" on the track.[1]
The lyrical content of the song is said to be influenced by Labrinth's anxiety over his second album, with the artist offering the following overview of the track's origins:
It doesn't sound like anything I've done before. It made me go back and look at all the other records again and be like, "Ah, maybe it needs to sound more exciting? Maybe it's not poppy enough? Or commercial enough." I started doing all these things that, after a great piece of work has been made, it starts to fuck it up. I had a bit of an anxiety attack, but after that I was just like, the only answer is to do what is right – just let go and let everything happen the way it is going to happen. That is where the record kind of came from.[2]
Release
The debut of "Let It Be" took place in the form of a live performance by Labrinth and his band at Camden Market in London on 17 August 2014, after which the song debuted on radio the following day.[3] On 19 August, the full song was released online.[4] Upon its release, Labrinth explained that "I knew I had been gone a long time and needed to come back with a single that was special, something forward-thinking ... I wanted an opening statement to my second album and I put extra pressure on myself to come up with that".[3]
Critical reception
Upon release, "Let It Be" received generally positive reception from critics. Writing for 4Music, reviewer Jessica Lever described the track as "fresh, catchy and upbeat".[5] 4Music later called the song a "sexy new soul jam".[6]
Music video
The
Charts
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[12] | 36 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[13] | 50 |
| 9 | |
| 11 | |
| 1 |
References
- ^ "Watch Labrinth's new video for Let It Be". Official Charts Company. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (20 August 2014). "Labrinth returns! What can we expect from his new album?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Labrinth Is Back… And His New Song 'Let It Be' Hits Capital Tonight!". Capital. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (19 August 2014). "Listen to Labrinth's new single 'Let It Be'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ Lever, Jessica. "Labrinth - Let It Be". 4Music. Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ "This Week's Fresh Music Top 20". 7 September 2014. 4Music.
{{cite episode}}: Missing or empty|series=(help) - ^ Idolator. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ "Labrinth's stripped back Let it Be video". Kiss. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ Knight, David (29 August 2014). "Labrinth 'Let It Be' by Us". PromoNews. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (27 August 2014). "Labrinth chronicles new album creation in 'Let It Be' video". Digital Spy. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ "Labrinth Releases Intimate Self-Shot 'Let It Be' Behind The Scenes Video". Capital. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ "Labrinth – Let It Be". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- Ultratip. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.