AI Song Generator Breathes New Life into Beatles Legacy with ‘Now and Then’
In a monumental moment for Beatles enthusiasts, the iconic rock band has unveiled their first “new” song since 1995, titled “Now and Then.” This track is now available on various streaming platforms and boasts an Atmos mix for supported devices. What sets this release apart is the remarkable tale behind its production, which harnessed groundbreaking AI technology and machine learning to reinvigorate an old lo-fi recording by John Lennon.
The journey to resurrect Lennon’s “Now and Then” demo dates back to the mid-’90s when Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr regrouped to work on “new” songs for the group’s Anthology albums. They successfully crafted “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” by overlaying full-band arrangements on Lennon’s original demos.
However, the progress on “Now and Then” encountered a hurdle, primarily due to technical challenges associated with the original tape. McCartney recalled, “In John’s demo tape, the piano was a little hard to hear, and in those days, we didn’t have the technology to separate the components. Every time we wanted more of John’s voice, the piano interfered.”
Regrettably, the trio session involving McCartney, Harrison, and Starr concluded without “Now and Then” ever reaching completion. McCartney confessed, “We ran out of steam and time. It was like, ‘I don’t know. Maybe we’ll leave this one.’ The song languished in a cupboard.” Harrison’s passing in 2001 added further uncertainty to the song’s fate, and it took nearly a quarter of a century for the right moment to resurface.
The turning point arrived in the current decade, courtesy of director Peter Jackson’s comprehensive “Get Back” documentary for Disney Plus. Jackson’s team introduced a groundbreaking AI technology that could dissect any piece of music, even ancient demos, into separate tracks using machine learning. McCartney and Starr seized this opportunity to provide “Now and Then” with the conclusion it deserved. McCartney contributed a bass track, Starr added drums, and producer Giles Martin devised a string arrangement reminiscent of his father’s work from the past.
While the documentary does not delve into the specifics of Harrison’s past recordings on the final track, it is known that he was not a fan of the unfinished Lennon song. Nevertheless, McCartney mentioned that they retained his parts from the Anthology sessions, and he even performed a slide guitar solo in Harrison’s distinctive style.
Despite initial concerns from fans, everyone involved in the project, including the estates of the deceased members, is entirely comfortable with how “Now and Then” came together. Sean Ono Lennon expressed his approval, saying, “My dad would’ve loved that because he was never shy to experiment with recording technology. I think it’s really beautiful.” McCartney echoed the sentiment, stating, “To still be working on Beatles music in 2023 is incredible. We’re experimenting with state-of-the-art technology, something the Beatles would’ve been very interested in. ‘Now and Then’ is perhaps the last Beatles song, and we’ve all contributed to it, making it a genuine Beatle recording.”
Even if this marks the final chapter for The Beatles, it’s truly exciting to contemplate how AI song generator technology could resurrect countless recordings, some predating the Fab Four, in the years to come.
