In a turn of events that feels like a wrinkle in time, The Beatles have released a brand new single titled “Now and Then,” bridging a gap of nearly 30 years since what was believed to be their final song.
The single casts a spotlight on John Lennon, the voice that beckoned a generation into a frenzy of Beatlemania, now resonating once more in a posthumous performance.
“Now and Then” places Lennon’s vocals, piano, and lyrics at the heart of the song, with the added support of the surviving members—Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr—and the memory of George Harrison. Their combined effort has given rise to a track that holds the classic Beatles charm
You can listen to the full song below. A video clip is also expected to drop within 24 hours.
The writing credits honour all four Beatles, while McCartney’s role expands beyond songwriting into production, alongside Giles Martin, who carries his father’s legacy and the title of the “Fifth Beatle” with honour.
The genesis of “Now and Then” dates back to a 1977 demo by John Lennon. For years, the track lay dormant, an incomplete tapestry with threads too frayed to bind.
It was only with the advent of AI technology that the song found a pathway to completion – and while some fans were sceptical about the artificial intelligence intervention, McCartney was quick to clarify that the technology was used to purify the original vocals, not to replicate Lennon’s iconic voice artificially.
“[It] was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room so it was very emotional for all of us.”
Paul McCartney
The remaining Beatles, inspired by Jackson’s technological breakthrough, set out to complete “Now and Then,” a decision that brought McCartney to make a pre-emptive announcement that stirred the Beatles community.
In a press release, McCartney called the recording “quite emotional” and said it is “a genuine Beatles recording” because all of the members are featured in the song. Starr added that the recording “was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room so it was very emotional for all of us.”
