Now And Then (Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starkey)
Original demo tapes
Work on the demo was halted after just a day in 1995 as the third generation tape given to Paul by Yoko featured a loud mains hum which was unable to be removed. The 2023 sessions utilized the original demo tape, as provided to Peter Jackson by Sean Lennon. Jackson’s production company WingNut Films utilized the same machine learning program — named “MAL” after long time Beatles assistant Mal Evans — that was used on the Get Back film and the Revolver Special Edition to separate the piano and vocals on the demo so that an instrumental track could be built on John’s vocals.
Past vocals remixed
Paul and producer Giles Martin utilized vocal elements from “Here, There and Everywhere;” “Eleanor Rigby;” and “Because” at various points of the song, most notably in the bridge.
The Last Beatles Song
Now And Then was heavily promoted as the “last Beatles song,” as there are no further songs with input from George Harrison and John Lennon. A short documentary by Oliver Murray was produced about the five decade-long recording of the track.
Quotes
“Fucking rubbish.” – George Harrison on the quality of John’s original demo, leading to the band abandoning work on the song.
“We’ve seen some confusion and speculation about it. Seems to be a lot of guess work out there. Can’t say too much at this stage but to be clear, nothing has been artificially or synthetically created. It’s all real and we all play on it. We cleaned up some existing recordings – a process which has gone on for years.” – Paul McCartney after reports that AI was used led to speculation that artificial manipulation of John’s demo was used for the recording
“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.” – Ringo Starr
Recording dates
- c. 1977 (John’s home demo)
- 1995-1996 (background track work by Paul, George, and Ringo)
- 2023 (final sessions with Paul and Ringo)
Personnel
- John Lennon – lead and backing vocals
- Paul McCartney – lead and backing vocals, bass, lap steel guitar, piano, electric harpsichord, shaker
- George Harrison – backing vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- Ringo Starr – backing vocals, drums, tambourine, shaker
Release history
- Now And Then (single) (2023)
- 1967-1970 (2023 Edition) (2023)
