More than half a century after the band’s demise, the world will be introduced to a new Beatles song.
With the help of artificial intelligence and an audio tape recorded by John Lennon, the release of Now and Then was announced, a piece that was given a name “The Beatles’ Last Song” and this 53 years after the band’s final farewell.
It will be Thursday November 2, when “Now And Then” hits all streaming platforms, but that’s just the first of several surprises The Beatles have in store for their avid fans around the world. A day before the song’s arrival, A 12-minute documentary will be shared by the band, where all the details behind the making of Now and Then are revealed. This documentary features archival footage of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, the late George Harrison, Sean Ono Lennon and Peter Jackson.
“Now and Then,” the Beatles’ newest song, will be released on all platforms on November 2nd
“Now and Then” will not only be released on streaming platforms, but also as a standalone single with a cover by the renowned artist. Ed Ruscha. The single will be available on vinyl and cassette, accompanied by the new stereo remix of the band’s first single: Love Me Do. While the vinyl version will be available in 7″ and 12″ formats, the cassette version will be exclusive to the Beatles Store to be available.
“Now and Then” by The Beatles will also be available in physical format
Aside from that, November 10th, Apple Corps Ltd. and Capitol/UMe will release renewed and expanded editions of two of the group’s most popular collections: “1962-66” and “1967-70.” These albums, originally with 26 and 28 songs, were expanded to 38 and 37 songs, respectively. Both collections are offered in separate two-CD or three-LP formats on 180g black vinyl. The Beatles Store offers some exclusive formats, such as the “red” album on red vinyl and the “blue” album on blue vinyl, either individually or bundled in a sleeve.
The Beatles will also release renewed and expanded editions of two of the group’s most popular collections: 1962-66 and 1967-70.
Now and Then comes from a solo demo by John Lennon from the 70s that Yoko Ono made available when the surviving members decided to add new songs to the Anthology collections. McCartney suggested in 2022 that he would return to Now and Then and extract Lennon’s voice using the same technology the director used for the documentary Get Back. Peter Jackson. The newest additions to the song are McCartney’s backing vocals and Ringo StarrIn addition, the contribution of George Harrisonwho died in 2001, whose electric and acoustic guitar parts, recorded in 1995, are included in the song.
Inspired by George, McCartney delivered a slide guitar solo reminiscent of Harrison’s distinctive style from the 2022 sessions. The musician is also credited with playing bass, piano and electric harpsichord, while Starr contributed his drumming touch.
“There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. It’s very emotional. And we all played on it, it’s a real Beatles recording,” McCartney said in a statement in 1964 © 1978 Gunther / MPTV / Portal
Regarding working with Lennon’s voice again, McCartney shared the following in a statement:
“There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. It’s very emotional. And we all play in it, It’s a real Beatles recording.“.
Ringo Starr He also spoke about the feelings that came over him while creating this piece, as it was the first time he was able to play with his friend John since the Beatles broke up in 1970.
“This is the closest we’ve ever come to having him back in the roomSo it was very emotional for all of us. It was like John was there, you know. It is very far”.