“Let It Be”

The Beatles · 1970 title track from Let It Be
Key C Major
All Chords C · G · Am · F · Dm · Em
Difficulty Beginner
Capo None

“Let It Be” is the Beatles’ 1970 title track and one of the most enduring songs
in their catalog. It’s a hymn-like piece of reassurance that has been sung at
graduations, funerals, and everything in between. It’s also one of the most
practical songs a beginner can learn, since it features mostly open chords in C major.

Nearly every line ends with the same four-chord turnaround, which means the
song has far fewer moving parts than its length suggests. Learn the opening
progression and that one turnaround, and you’ve essentially learned the whole
thing. Let’s dive in!

The Chords You’ll Need

C major guitar chord chart
F major barre chord diagram for guitar
G major guitar chord chart
D minor guitar chord chart
A major guitar chord chart variation with fingers 2, 1, and 3

Chord Chart

Intro

C  G  Am  F  C  G
F  C  Dm  C

Verse 1

       C              G                 Am          F
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
C                 G              F C Dm C
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

    C             G                Am                F
And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me
C                 G              F C Dm C
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Chorus 1

C      Am         G          F          C
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
C                G              F C Dm C
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Verse 2

    C               G               Am            F
And when the broken hearted people, living in the world agree
C                G              F C Dm C
There will be an answer, let it be

    C                  G                Am                  F
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
C                G              F C Dm C
There will be an answer, let it be

Chorus 2

C      Am         G          F          C
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
C                G              F C Dm C
There will be an answer, let it be
C      Am         G          F          C
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
C                G              F C Dm C
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Instrumental

C  G  Am  F  C  G
F  C  Dm  C

Chorus 3

C      Am         G          F          C
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
C                G              F C Dm C
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Verse 3

    C                 G                Am                 F
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me
C                 G            F C Dm C
Shine on till tomorrow, let it be

  C              G               Am          F
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
C                 G              F C Dm C
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Chorus 4

C      Am         G          F          C
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
C                G              F C Dm C
There will be an answer, let it be

C      Am         G          F          C
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
C                G              F C Dm C   F G F C
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
The F–C–Dm–C turnaround Almost every line in this song ends with the same four chords: F, C, Dm, C. It’s the phrase that lands under “let it be” every single time. Learn it once as a single unit rather than four separate changes, and a huge portion of the song falls into place immediately.

Practice Tips

  1. Drill the F–C–Dm–C turnaround on its own first. It closes nearly every phrase in the song, so it’s the single highest-value thing to get smooth.
  2. The verse opens C → G → Am → F. That’s I – V – vi – IV, the same progression driving No Woman, No Cry. Once you own that progression it keeps showing up.
  3. The very last line adds a descending walk-down: F, G, F, C. It appears exactly once, at the end of the song, and it’s what gives the final “let it be” its sense of arrival. Worth learning just for that moment.
  4. Play it like a hymn: Steady, unhurried, chords ringing full. This song has no rush in it, and trying to add energy works against what makes it land.