The Beatles Releasing One Final Song

Last June, McCartney disclosed that he’d been working on a project to resurrect the unreleased Beatles song “Now and Then” with the help of AI technology. The single is scheduled for release on November 2 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. The release will be available in digital format and as a double A-side single on various physical formats, including 7″ vinyl, 12″ vinyl, and even cassette. 

In addition to the song, a 12-minute documentary about the making of The Beatles’ last song, “Now and Then,” is set to precede the song’s release on November 1.

So how exactly was McCartney able to record a final track that includes work from all members of The Beatles, including the dead ones? The song was originally written and sung by John Lennon, who recorded a demo of the track at his home in the Dakota, New York, in 1978, two years before he passed away.

Then, in 1994, Yoko Ono handed over the demo to McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, along with Lennon’s demos for “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love.” The remaining three members of The Beatles, with the guidance of producer Jeff Lynne, embarked on recording new parts for “Now and Then.” However, the technological limitations of the time made it impossible to separate Lennon’s vocals from the piano on the original demo.

The project was subsequently shelved for several decades until McCartney and Starr, spurred on by their work with director Peter Jackson on his Get Back documentary about The Beatles, decided to revisit it. It was during this period that Peter Jackson and his sound team managed to isolate Lennon’s vocals from the original tape using AI technology.

McCartney recounted his reaction after seeing what the AI technology could do, stating, “There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. It’s quite emotional.” The musician confirmed that the new track includes contributions from all members of The Beatles, expressing his excitement about being able to release a new Beatles song in 2023. Starr also chimed in, stating that it felt like John was in the room with them during the process.

The completion of The Beatles’ “Now and Then” in 2022 saw the inclusion of electric and acoustic guitar parts laid down by Harrison in 1995, a new drum section, backing vocals by Starr, and bass, guitar, and piano by McCartney, who added a slide guitar solo inspired by the late Harrison.

George Harrison’s widow, Olivia, shared her perspective on the project, stating that back in 1995, George had believed the technical issues surrounding the Beatles’ demo were insurmountable and concluded that finishing the track to a high standard was impossible. She added that if George were alive today, he would have been thrilled to join McCartney and Starr in completing the recording of “Now and Then.”

Son of The Beatles’ frontman, John Lennon, Sean Ono Lennon, also weighed in on the release, saying, “It was incredibly touching to hear them working together after all the years that Dad had been gone. It’s the last song my dad, Paul, George, and Ringo got to make together. It’s like a time capsule and all feels very meant to be.”

The release of “Now and Then” and the accompanying “Love Me Do” will be available in stereo and Dolby Atmos, with original cover art by Ed Ruscha. A music video for “Now and Then” is scheduled to debut on November 3. In addition to this new song, expanded reissues of 1962-1966 (The Red Album) and 1967-1970 (The Blue Album) will hit the shelves on November 10, featuring updated mixes and the inclusion of “Now and Then.” Fans of The Beatles can look forward to a historically exciting month ahead.