The Beatles are about to release what is being touted as their final song, made possible by the use of AI technology. It has been 50 years since the band broke up, and this last track is set to bring their journey to a poignant close. In a trailer for the song called “Now And Then,” Paul McCartney discusses the process of creating the track with Ringo Starr and John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s son, Sean.
The song came about when Yoko Ono shared a recording of John’s vocals with George Harrison before his death in 2001. George then approached Paul about working on the song, and they began to collaboratively add their parts to it. The result is a song that Paul describes as a testament to the bond between the four Beatles, saying, “It’s the last song that my dad and Paul and George and Ringo will get to make together.”
The track is based on a 1970s demo record that Paul and Ringo have been working on for the past four decades. With the help of AI technology, they were able to “extricate” John’s vocals from the old demo and complete the song. The fact that this song was made possible by AI is a testament to the power of technology and its role in the future of music.
The final song, titled “Now And Then,” will premiere on November 2 at 2pm. It will also be included in a newly-mastered version of the band’s Red And Blue album, set to be released on November 10. The initial announcement of the song’s release was made earlier this summer, but now the date has been confirmed.
“Now And Then” was one of the songs recorded by John shortly before his death in 1980. Two other tracks, “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love,” were released in 1995 and 1996 respectively, after being cleaned up by producer Jeff Lynne. However, Lynne struggled to clean up “Now And Then,” and his attempt was not up to the band’s standards. This is where AI technology comes in, as it provided a solution to revive the song and ensure that it met the expectations of all involved.
Director Peter Jackson played a crucial role in clearing up the technical problems of the song. By separating Lennon’s original vocals from a piano track used in the late 1970s, they were able to bring John’s voice to the forefront in a crystal-clear manner. Paul describes this as an emotional moment, stating, “It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording.”
The completion of this song is a testament to the enduring legacy of The Beatles and their commitment to their craft. In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music and to release a new song that the public hasn’t heard before is an exciting thing for Paul McCartney. He expresses his gratitude for having had the privilege of working alongside John, George, and Ringo, saying, “How lucky was I to have those men in my life.”
The release of “Now And Then” and the accompanying 12-minute film that tells the story of the new recording will be a bittersweet moment for Beatles fans. This will be the final track that features all four Beatles together - John, Paul, George, and Ringo. It is a significant milestone and a fitting ending to their remarkable musical journey.
As the surviving Beatles members continue to release new projects that cater to nostalgic fans, such as remixes of their old albums and the upcoming Get Back film by Peter Jackson, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at the band’s final days, this final song marks the end of an era. It is a poignant reminder of the incredible talent and collective genius of The Beatles and the lasting impact they have had on the world of music.
In the words of Ringo Starr, “This is the last track, ever, that you’ll get the four Beatles on the track. John, Paul, George, and Ringo.” And with that, a chapter in music history comes to a close, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and captivate generations to come.
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