Now and Then: The Beatles final new song with John, Paul, George, and Ringo released

The last Beatles song, "Now and Then," has been released using AI and restored technology to isolate John Lennon's voice.

In a remarkable turn of events, the Beatles have released their first and only original recording of the 21st century, titled "Now and Then." This nearly unbelievable track is a four-minute and eight-second masterpiece that showcases the unmistakable vocal talents of John Lennon. It serves as a poignant reminder of the band's enduring legacy, more than four decades since Lennon's tragic murder and two since the passing of George Harrison.

The origins of "Now and Then" can be traced back to the 1970s when Lennon penned a series of unreleased demos. These demos were eventually given to his former bandmates by Yoko Ono, leading to the creation of the songs "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love," which were released in the mid-1990s. However, technical limitations hindered the completion of "Now and Then" at the time.

Recently, a short film titled "The Beatles -- Now And Then -- The Last Beatles Song" was released, providing insights into the making of the track. The original tape contained hidden elements, such as Lennon's voice being obscured and the piano being difficult to discern. This was due to the lack of technology available during that era to separate these elements.

Fortunately, advancements in technology in 2022 allowed the remaining Beatles, now a duo consisting of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, to utilize restoration methods similar to those employed in Peter Jackson's 2021 documentary series, "The Beatles: Get Back." Through machine learning and the use of artificial intelligence, Lennon's voice was isolated from the original cassette, enabling the completion of "Now and Then."

McCartney expressed both excitement and apprehension towards the use of AI technology, acknowledging its potential while also recognizing its somewhat intimidating nature. He marveled at the fact that they were still working on Beatles' music in 2023, stating that the band would have been intrigued by the state-of-the-art technology at their disposal.

Addressing rumors surrounding Lennon's contributions to the track, Starr confirmed that it was indeed an authentic collaboration, dismissing claims that they had fabricated his involvement. He emphasized that "Now and Then" represents the final opportunity to hear all four Beatles - John, Paul, George, and Ringo - on a track together.

To bring the song to life, McCartney and Starr built upon Lennon's demo, incorporating guitar parts written by Harrison during the 1995 sessions and a slide guitar solo in his distinctive style. McCartney and Starr also contributed their bass and drum contributions, while a string arrangement was created with the assistance of Giles Martin, son of the late Beatles producer George Martin. This arrangement harkens back to the band's ambitious musical endeavors, reminiscent of iconic tracks like "Strawberry Fields," "Yesterday," and "I Am the Walrus." Interestingly, the musicians involved were not informed that they were contributing to the final Beatles track, as McCartney presented it as a solo project.

On Friday, the official music video for "Now and Then," directed by Peter Jackson, will premiere on the Beatles' YouTube channel. The video incorporates footage of McCartney and Starr performing, as well as long-forgotten film from the 1995 recording sessions. Additionally, unseen home movies provided by Lennon's son Sean and Harrison's wife Olivia, along with rare footage of the band performing in their leather suits, add a touch of nostalgia and balance to the video.

Overall, "Now and Then" stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Beatles. This extraordinary release not only showcases the band's timeless talent but also highlights their willingness to embrace new technologies and push the boundaries of music creation. It serves as a poignant reminder of the immense impact the Beatles have had on the world of music and their lasting influence on generations to come.

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