The Beatles ‘Now And Then’ Lyrics: The Last Song Used AI To Resurect John Lennon’s Vocals

Lea Veloso
·4 min read
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The Fab Four are back for one more song. The Beatles “Now And Then” lyrics are an emotional testament to the legendary band. The band released the song on November 2, 2023 and it features all four members of the band: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

Arguably one of the best bands in history, The Beatles catapulted to fame in the 1960s with Beatlemania and ultimately disbanded in 1970 after the release of their final album Let It Be. Two Beatles tracks were revived in the 1990s for The Beatles Anthology where the surviving members at the time, Harrison, McCartney, and Starr recorded “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love.”

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In June 2023, McCartney teased the track telling BBC Radio 4’s Today that the band utilized AI technology on an unreleased Beatles demo from the 70s. However, with ethical complications of AI and music artists, the “Here There and Everywhere” songwriter clarified his previous comments about AI. “Can’t say too much at this stage but to be clear, nothing has been artificially or synthetically created,” the 18-time Grammy-winner wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s all real and we all play on it. We cleaned up some existing recordings – a process which has gone on for years.”

“No one is more excited than us to be sharing something with you later in the year,” McCartney continued in his tweet. “We hope you love it as much as we do.”

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So what is the last Beatles song and how did they make it? Read more to find out.

How did The Beatles record the last song “Now And Then?”

How did The Beatles record the last song “Now And Then?” John Lennon recorded the demo for the song on the piano in his home at the Dakota Building in New York City in the 1970s. After his death in 1980, his widow Yoko Ono gave the demo along with the songs “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love” to the surviving members of The Beatles: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The latter two songs were completed and released in 1995 as part of The Beatles Anthology. However, “Now And Then” had a rough mix and was shelved since technology complications in the ’90s prevented Lennon’s piano and vocal mix from being separated.

George Harrison died in 2001, “which kind of took the wind out of our sails,” said McCartney in the film of the recording process. However in 2021, Peter Jackson’s award-winning documentary The Beatles: Get Back launched hope to finish the track “Now And Then.” Using WingNut Films’ MAL audio technology, Jackson’s team had de-mixed the film’s mono soundtrack, managing to isolate instruments and vocals, which led to a complete preservation of Lennon’s original voice in the demo.

“There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear,” McCartney recalled. “It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording. In 2023 to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s an exciting thing.”

In archive footage, Harrison said, “To hear John’s voice, that’s a thing that we should cherish, and I’m sure he would’ve really enjoyed that opportunity to be with us again.”

The track includes electric and acoustic guitar recorded in 1995 by Harrison, Starr’s new drum part, and bass, guitar, and piano from McCartney. McCartney also added a new slide guitar track inspired by Harrison’s legendary playing. The song was co-produced by McCartney and Giles Martin, the son of long-time Beatles producer George Martin.

“It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room, so it was very emotional for all of us,” Starr said of the recording. “It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out.” Lennon’s son, Sean Ono Lennon reminisced, “It was incredibly touching to hear them working together after all the years that Dad had been gone. It’s the last song my dad, Paul, George and Ringo got to make together. It’s like a time capsule and all feels very meant to be.”

The Beatles “Now and Then” Lyrics

Here are The Beatles “Now And Then” lyrics courtesy of Genius.

[Intro]
(One, two, three)

[Refrain]
I know it’s true
It’s all because of you
And, if I make it through
It’s all because of you

[Verse 1]
And, now and then
If we must start again
Well, we will know for sure
That I will love you

[Chorus]
Now and then
I miss you
Oh, now and then
I want you to be there for me
Always to return to me

[Verse 2]
I know it’s true
It’s all because of you
And, if you go away
I know you’ll never stay

[Chorus]
Now and then
I miss you
Oh, now and then
I want you to be there for me

[Bridge]
(Ah)
(Ah)
(Ah)
(Ooh)
(Ah)

[Refrain]
I know it’s true
It’s all because of you
And, if I make it through
It’s all because of you

[Instrumental Break]

[Outro]
(Good one)

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