AI unlocks ‘The Beatles' last unheard song with John Lenon, ‘Now And Then’, now streaming worldwide
The Beatles released their first "new" song since 1995, titled "Now and Then." Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr utilised AI and machine learning to complete an old John Lennon recording.
artificial intelligence
Highlights
- "Now and Then" marks The Beatles' first new song in nearly three decades
- AI technology helped complete the song by working on an old John Lennon recording, overcoming past technical challenges
- The release implies The Beatles' timeless impact, blending classic recordings with modern technology for a new generation of listeners
In a long-anticipated moment for music lovers, The Beatles have released their first "new" song since 1995, titled "Now and Then." This historic release has generated considerable interest among fans and was made possible through the application of cutting-edge technology and the expertise of the Band Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and director Peter Jackson.
The breakthrough came when director Peter Jackson was working on the Get Back documentary for Disney Plus.
His team developed a technology that could split music into separate tracks based on machine learning, even with old demos. McCartney and Starr recognised the opportunity to finally complete "Now and Then." They added bass and drums, and producer Giles Martin created a string arrangement reminiscent of his father's work.
#NowAndThen is now available to listen to worldwide!https://t.co/jQtFaz5rfG pic.twitter.com/bXEgL8dGJJ
— The Beatles (@thebeatles) November 2, 2023
The past problems
Back in the 1990s, McCartney, George Harrison, and Starr commenced the task of completing "Now and Then," initially created by John Lennon.
While they successfully finished "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love," technical challenges, particularly related to the original tape, halted progress on "Now and Then."
McCartney explained that the piano in Lennon's demo was challenging to hear, and at the time, technology couldn't separate the elements they needed. Consequently, the song remained unfinished and was kept in a cupboard, with Harrison's passing in 2001 casting doubt on its future.
A collaborative legacy
The project received approval from all parties involved, including the estates of nonliving members. Sean Ono Lennon noted that his father, John Lennon, would have embraced the technology used, as he was always eager to experiment with recording technology.
McCartney expressed his excitement, emphasising that working on Beatles music in 2023 using state-of-the-art technology is a testament to the band's enduring legacy. "Now and Then" serves as a genuine Beatles recording, signifying a remarkable moment in music history.
The release of "Now and Then" not only marks an exciting addition to The Beatles' catalogue but also opens up possibilities for restoring and regenerating countless recordings, both from the Fab Four (The Beatles) and beyond, using innovative track separation AI technology in the future.
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