The Beatles’ New Single Makes Chart History: Get the Vinyl As Part of 50th Anniversary Release of ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ Albums
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More than 53 years after the release of their final studio album, Let It Be, the Beatles are making Billboard history with their new song, “Now and Then.” Released Nov 2., the song debuted at No. 7. on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, marking the Beatles’ landmark 35th Top 10 hit, and extending their record for the most among groups.
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The rock ballad was originally written and recorded by John Lennon as a solo track but was never completed before his death. The unfinished song floated around in limbo until Paul McCartney revived it last year with the help of AI. “When we came to make what will be the last Beatles record, it was a demo that John had,” McCartney said in an interview earlier this year. “We were able to take John’s voice and get it pure through this AI. Then we can mix the record, as you would normally do.”
“Now and Then” is now available as a limited-edition, 7-inch clear vinyl on Amazon (get a 12-inch version here). You can also get a CD single on Target.com.
The release of “Now and Then” is part of an expanded, 50th anniversary edition of the Beatles’ 1973 compilation albums, best known as the “Red” and “Blue” Albums. Released at a list price of $149 and up, Amazon has The Beatles’ “new” album on sale for just $118 right now — a 21 percent discount.
The deal gets you a six-LP set that includes The Beatles 1962–1966 (aka the “red” album) and The Beatles 1967–1970 (aka the “blue” album) on vinyl (you can also get it on CD for $30).
$118.99 $149.88 21% off
The 50th anniversary edition vinyl release features 75 tracks across six LPs. The “Red” album contains 12 additional tracks, including some of George Harrison’s earliest songs and Beatles covers of R&B and rock hits that were favorites of the band (think Smokey Robinson’s “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” and Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven”).
The “Blue” album features nine additional tracks including “Blackbird” and “Glass Onion” in addition to “Now and Then.” Released on Capitol Records, the label says 36 of the tracks have “new mixes” for 2023.
Everything is bundled inside a collectible gatefold with inserts containing new sleeve notes by journalist and author John Harris. Regularly $149 and up, you can get the Beatles’ “new” compilation albums on vinyl now for just $118 on Amazon.com.
Along with the new box set, the band also has a new documentary out now on Disney+, that details the recording of the new song.
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