Ahead of their highly anticipated final song ‘Now And Then’ releasing tomorrow, The Beatles have published a short film about the making of the track.
Earlier this year, Sir Paul McCartney revealed that artificial intelligence was used to finish off the song. A recording of John Lennon’s vocals for the song was found on a cassette tape. AI was used to separate his vocals and “get it pure,” as McCartney put it.
The song is set to come out on Friday 3rd of November (3 AM NZT) as well as a music video directed by New Zealander Sir Peter Jackson. For now, enjoy the short film which includes a crystal-clear snippet of John’s voice.
Further details about the song are revealed in the YouTube description:
“‘Now and Then’'s eventful journey to fruition took place over five decades and is the product of conversations and collaborations between the four Beatles that go on to this day.,” it reads.
“The long mythologised John Lennon demo was first worked on in February 1995 by Paul, George and Ringo as part of The Beatles Anthology project but it remained unfinished, partly because of the impossible technological challenges involved in working with the vocal John had recorded on tape in the 1970s.”
“For years it looked like the song could never be completed. But in 2022 there was a stroke of serendipity. A software system developed by Peter Jackson and his team, used throughout the production of the documentary series Get Back, finally opened the way for the uncoupling of John’s vocals from his piano part. “
“As a result, the original recording could be brought to life and worked on anew with contributions from all four Beatles. This remarkable story of musical archaeology reflects The Beatles’ endless creative curiosity and shared fascination with technology.”
“It marks the completion of the last recording that John, Paul, George and Ringo will get to make together and celebrates the legacy of the foremost and most influential band in popular music history.”
We all deserve one more Beatles song so I’m looking forward to tomorrow!
