The Beatles, the legendary band that changed the course of music history, have released what is being hailed as their final song, Now And Then, featuring contributions from all four members.
The song is based on a 1970s demo recording by John Lennon, who was murdered in 1980. His widow, Yoko Ono, gave the tape to the remaining Beatles, along with rough recordings of Free As A Bird and Real Love, which were reworked and released in the mid-1990s.
However, Now And Then remained unfinished until last year, when Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr decided to revive the project with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
Using a new audio restoration technology, pioneered by film director Peter Jackson for his documentary The Beatles: Get Back, they were able to clean up Lennon’s vocals and isolate them from the background noise. They also added Harrison’s electric and acoustic guitar parts, which he recorded in 1995, before his death in 2001.
The result is a poignant and powerful song that showcases the Beatles’ signature harmonies, melodies, and lyrics. The song is being issued as a double A-side single with the band’s 1962 debut Love Me Do, marking a full-circle moment for the Fab Four.
A music video, directed by Jackson, was also released, featuring unseen footage of the band from various stages of their career, including what he describes as the earliest known film of the Beatles.
The song has received rave reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised its emotional impact and musical quality. Rolling Stone magazine called it “intensely powerful”, while BBC 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne said she “cried like a baby” when she heard it.
The song is also a testament to the potential of AI to enhance and create music, as well as to preserve and honor the legacy of artists. The technology used to generate the song is based on neural networks, which learn from large amounts of data and produce new outputs.
While some may argue that AI music lacks the human touch and originality that make music so special, others may see it as a new and exciting way to express themselves and to explore new musical possibilities.
The Beatles, who were always at the forefront of musical innovation and experimentation, have once again shown that music can transcend time, space, and technology, and touch the hearts and souls of millions of people around the world. Now And Then is a fitting farewell to the greatest band in rock history.
