The Beatles have just unveiled their poignant new single, “Now and Then,” a track decades in the making that stands as a powerful testament to their enduring legacy. This deeply moving song, born from a 1970s home demo by John Lennon, transcends a mere release; it’s a genuine Beatles reunion, weaving in contributions from Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. “Now and Then” is more than just a song; it’s an unprecedented musical event, a heartfelt completion of an unfinished Lennon piece by his bandmates, driven by profound friendship and musical kinship. It’s the concluding chapter the Beatles and their legions of fans truly deserve.
This release is the culmination of Paul McCartney’s long-held dream, his unwavering commitment to a John Lennon demo that resonated deeply with him, even when its potential was initially unclear to others. McCartney, alongside producer Giles Martin, meticulously crafted “Now and Then,” incorporating Lennon’s original 1977 piano and vocal tracks, Harrison’s guitar work from the 1995 Anthology sessions, and Starr’s fresh drumming and vocals recorded in 2022.
Far from being a contrived or sentimental piece, “Now and Then” emerges as a raw, intimate, and mature confession. The song’s enduring appeal to McCartney is immediately apparent, revealing why he tirelessly pursued its completion as a true Beatles track. His instincts were spot on; “Now and Then” is undeniably a Beatles song, a valuable addition to their unparalleled musical narrative.
“Now and Then” premiered on Thursday, with physical releases following on Friday, including 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl editions in both black and colored formats, and a limited-edition cassette single. Notably, it’s released as a double A-side with “Love Me Do,” their debut single from 1962, creating a full circle moment in their storied career. Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated music video also debuted on Friday, featuring a deeply moving final scene. “Now and Then” is also featured in the expanded 2023 editions of the iconic Red and Blue albums, released on November 10th.
The Emotional Resonance of Lennon and McCartney’s Vocals
The true marvel of “Now and Then” lies in its profound emotional impact. For anyone touched by the Lennon-McCartney dynamic, hearing their voices intertwine on the chorus, singing “Now and then I miss you,” is incredibly powerful. Lennon’s lyrics are starkly emotional: “I know it’s true/It’s all because of you/And if I make it through/It’s all because of you.”
These lines, sung by Lennon, underscore the deep bond between these two musical soulmates. Giles Martin astutely observes, “Obviously, it hasn’t been, but it sounds like John’s written it for Paul now, in a very emotional way.” He adds, “It’s a bittersweet song, which is very John. But with a combination of happiness and regret. It’s like ‘In My Life’ in that respect.”
From 1970s Demo to 2023 Release: The Song’s Journey
The genesis of “Now and Then” dates back to the 1970s, during Lennon’s period of domesticity at the Dakota with Yoko Ono and their son, Sean. It began as a home demo recorded by Lennon on cassette at his piano. Yoko Ono gifted this tape to McCartney, Harrison, and Starr during the Anthology project in 1995. From this tape, two songs, “Free As a Bird” and “Real Love,” were completed and released as singles, produced by Jeff Lynne, despite the challenging sound quality of Lennon’s vocals.
The Beatles, dubbed “The Threatles” during this period, attempted to work on “Now and Then” during the Anthology sessions but ultimately shelved it. Apart from McCartney, the song’s potential wasn’t immediately apparent to the others. Yet, something about “Now and Then” deeply resonated with him. He always envisioned it as a Beatles song. Over the years, McCartney consistently mentioned it in interviews. In the 2012 documentary about Jeff Lynne, Mr. Blue Sky, McCartney expressed his ongoing desire to revisit “Now and Then,” stating, “That one’s still lingering around. So I’m going to nick in with Jeff and do it, finish it, one of these days.”
McCartney’s Determination and Giles Martin’s Expertise
McCartney’s unwavering dedication to “Now and Then” is evident. He recognized the song’s inherent power, hearing his own connection to Lennon within its plaintive melody. He understood the song’s message of longing for a distant friend. It’s remarkable to consider McCartney carrying this unfinished song for decades, his resolve unbroken, where others might have let it fade away. His determination wasn’t just to preserve Lennon’s work, but to make it a unifying statement for all four Beatles and their shared history. His years-long commitment is a testament to this vision.
Paul McCartney collaborated with producer Giles Martin, son of the legendary George Martin, and guardian of the Beatles’ catalog, to finally complete “Now and Then”. Giles Martin, instrumental in the acclaimed Special Editions series since 2017, describes the project as “Paul’s project, really, and he involved me in it.”
Technological Innovation and the Song’s Authenticity
The completion of “Now and Then” was made possible by the advanced sound-separation technology developed by Peter Jackson and his audio team for the Get Back documentary in 2021. This technology, which clarified murky dialogue in the film, was crucial in isolating Lennon’s vocals from the original tape hiss and background noise in “Now and Then”. Martin emphasizes, “There’s no AI re-creating the vocals. It’s the old-school approach for us. I think it’s about deliberately trying not to try — it’s much easier to just let people be themselves. That’s what gives the song its heart, in a way.”
“Now and Then – The Last Beatles Song” Documentary
Accompanying the single is a 12-minute documentary, Now and Then — The Last Beatles Song, directed by Oliver Murray, featuring insights from Paul, Ringo, Sean Ono Lennon, and Peter Jackson. Paul recounts, “We listened to the track. There’s John in his apartment in New York City, banging away at his piano, doing a little demo. Is it something we shouldn’t do? Every time I thought like that, I thought, wait a minute. Let’s say I had a chance to ask John, ‘Hey John, would you like us to finish this last song of yours?’ I’m telling you — I know the answer would have been, ‘Yeah!’ He would have loved that.”
Overcoming Past Obstacles and Embracing Technology
The initial attempts to complete “Now and Then” during the Anthology sessions were hampered by the poor sound quality of Lennon’s demo tape. Ringo Starr recalls in the documentary, “Very difficult. Because John was sort of hidden in a way.” Paul McCartney adds, “I think we kind of ran out of steam a bit, and time. And it was like, ‘Well, I don’t know — maybe we’ll leave this one.’ ‘Now and Then’ just kind of languished in a cupboard.” However, McCartney’s persistence prevailed.
In “Now and Then,” all four Beatles are present with remarkable clarity, their contributions from different eras harmonizing seamlessly. The song’s sonic quality is a significant improvement over the Anthology tracks. Giles Martin credits this to technological advancements, stating, “I think that’s just purely down to the luck we have with technology these days. The technology improved as we were making the track, which is interesting. It suddenly became, ‘Oh my God, OK, we can do this now.’ We could strip back the opening of the song and have John on his own, separated from the piano. And it’s unmistakably John Lennon.”
The Enduring Power of Lennon’s Voice
The power of “Now and Then” is undeniably rooted in Lennon’s voice. Giles Martin reflects on a conversation with Yoko Ono during the Love show project in 2006: “Yoko principally looked at the ceiling and said, ‘John is just a voice now.’ I felt the same way, when we remixed Sgt. Pepper — the first voice I heard, the first day I went to work on it, was my dad’s. So I completely understand what she means. And with the technology and talent we have now, we can now have John. And it’s NOT ‘AI’ — it’s him being restored, if you like. It’s his voice in the room. And that’s the powerful thing about the song. That’s what I think resonates with people — that voice.”
A Testament to Friendship and Musical Legacy
The palpable emotional commitment of the Beatles, especially McCartney, is central to “Now and Then”. McCartney’s determined and passionate approach transformed a forgotten demo into an authentic Beatles collaboration. He recognized the band’s entire history within this song, a piece others overlooked. The meticulous detail in bringing it to life is truly admirable. The notion of abandoning this project never crossed his mind. Even when decades were needed for technology to catch up with his vision, McCartney remained dedicated. “Now and Then” stands as a tribute to his unwavering loyalty to his oldest friend and the unique, four-way musical synergy that defined the Beatles.
While “Now and Then” might carry the weight of the Beatles’ final song, as Sean Ono Lennon notes, “It’s the last song that my dad and Paul and George and Ringo will get to make together,” it ultimately underscores the timelessness of the Beatles’ music. “Now and Then” powerfully demonstrates why the Beatles remain eternally relevant, their music as vibrant, passionate, and undeniably alive today as ever.
