The Beatles: AI Unlocks the Lost “Final” Song, Now and Then

The Beatles’ “Final” Song Now and Then to be Released Thanks to AI Technology

Introduction

The long-awaited “final” Beatles song, titled “Now and Then,” is set to be released next week. What makes this release noteworthy is that it has been made possible thanks to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This same AI technology was previously used to enhance the audio quality in Peter Jackson’s documentary film, “Get Back.”

The Story Behind “Now and Then”

“Now and Then” was written and sung by John Lennon in the late 1970s at his home in the Dakota building in New York City. In 1994, Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono gave a demo tape of the song to Paul McCartney, accompanied by a cassette labeled “For Paul,” which also included Lennon’s demos for the songs “Free As a Bird” and “Real Love.”

While McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison were able to complete and release “Free As a Bird” and “Real Love” as singles for the Beatles Anthology project, they faced technological limitations with “Now and Then.” The vocals and piano of Lennon’s original demo couldn’t be separated to work alongside new parts recorded by the other three Beatles, resulting in the shelving of the song.

The Role of AI Technology

Over a quarter of a century later, director Peter Jackson utilized AI-assisted software to de-mix the original audio from Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s footage of the Beatles recording their final album, “Let It Be.” This AI technology allowed the isolation of instruments, vocals, and conversations from the original recordings, leading to the creation of the “Get Back” documentary series.

Inspired by the success of the AI technology in enhancing the audio for the documentary, McCartney and Starr decided to revisit Lennon’s “Now and Then” demo. With the help of Emile de la Rey and his sound team, they used the same technique to isolate Lennon’s original vocal performance from his piano.

McCartney and Starr then produced new parts for the song, while Harrison’s guitar parts from 1995 and a string arrangement written by McCartney, Giles Martin, and Ben Foster were also included. Additionally, backing vocals from the original recordings of “Here, There and Everywhere,” “Eleanor Rigby,” and “Because” were woven into the new song, with Jeff Lynne contributing to the additional production.

The Emotional Impact

The use of AI technology to separate Lennon’s vocals and produce a new mix of the song has had a profound emotional impact on the surviving members of the Beatles. McCartney expressed his emotional reaction to hearing John’s voice, crystal clear, saying, “It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording.”

Ringo Starr reflected on the experience, stating, “It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room, so it was very emotional for all of us. It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out.”

Response and Speculation

The announcement of AI technology being used in the production of “Now and Then” raised concerns among fans and critics. There were worries that AI was being used to artificially regenerate aspects of Lennon’s performance. McCartney sought to clarify these concerns, stating that nothing had been artificially or synthetically created and that the use of AI was limited to cleaning up existing recordings.

Despite the initial concerns, the anticipation for the release of “Now and Then” remains high among Beatles fans, who have eagerly awaited the chance to listen to a “new” Beatles song, particularly one featuring vocals from the late John Lennon.

Conclusion

“Now and Then,” the long-awaited Beatles song featuring all four members, serves as a testament to the enduring power and artistry of the band. The use of AI technology to separate Lennon’s vocals and bring his “voice” back into the recording studio has evoked strong emotions from both the band members and their fans.

Whether this use of AI technology in music production signals a new era or raises ethical concerns is a topic for debate. While the technology provides opportunities for artists to revisit unfinished works and collaborate with deceased musicians, questions surrounding authenticity and the potential for manipulation of past performances must be carefully considered.

Regardless, the release of “Now and Then” presents an exciting moment for Beatles fans, who will finally get the chance to hear this long-lost piece of the band’s history.