Original composition by: John Lennon
Beatles version by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Recorded: 1979; 20, 21 March 1995; 2022; 2023
Producers: Paul McCartney, Giles Martin
Additional production: Jeff Lynne
Engineers: Geoff Emerick, Steve Orchard, Greg McAllister, Jon Jacobs, Steve Genewick, Bruce Sugar, Keith Smith
String arrangement: Paul McCartney, Giles Martin, Ben Foster
Released: 2 November 2023
Available on:
1967-1970 (2023 reissue)
Personnel
John Lennon: vocals
Paul McCartney: vocals, guitar, bass guitar, piano, electric harpsichord, shaker
George Harrison: vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Ringo Starr: vocals, drums, tambourine, shaker
Based on a 1970s demo by John Lennon, ‘Now And Then’ was briefly considered for release on Anthology 3 but later rejected.
The song was finally announced on 26 October 2023 as “the last Beatles song”. It was released worldwide on streaming services on 2 November, with a physical release the following day.
Also known as ‘I Don’t Want To Lose You’ and ‘Miss You’, ‘Now And Then’ was recorded by Lennon at his home at the Dakota Building in New York City.
In January 1994 Yoko Ono gave Paul McCartney two cassettes of John Lennon’s home recordings, which included a number of incomplete and previously unreleased songs. They included ‘Free As A Bird’, ‘Real Love’, ‘Grow Old With Me’, and ‘Now And Then’.
On 20 and 21 March 1995 the three surviving former Beatles began constructing a backing track to be added to Lennon’s demo of ‘Now And Then’. However, during the second day work on the song ended.
According to McCartney, George Harrison “didn’t want to do it,” possibly because the song needed to be extensively rewritten before it could be released. Another factor was a humming sound on Lennon’s demo which proved hard to mask.
It was one day – one afternoon, really – messing with it. The song had a chorus but is almost totally lacking in verses. We did the backing track, a rough go that we really didn’t finish.
‘Now And Then’ had been considered as a third reunion single in 1996. It was replaced on Anthology 3 by the orchestral track ‘A Beginning’, recorded in 1968 as an unused introduction for ‘Don’t Pass Me By’.
Since 2006 there was speculation that McCartney intended to complete ‘Now And Then’, with new verses and a drum track recorded by Ringo Starr.
There was one more that we didn’t do, which was a pity. It didn’t have a very good title, it needed a bit of reworking, but it had a beautiful verse and it had John singing it. But George didn’t wanna do it.
Q magazine, November 2006
In June 2023, in an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today, McCartney said AI had been used to complete “the last Beatles record”, then believed to be ‘Now And Then’.
Well it’s a very interesting thing, you know. It’s something we’re all sort of tackling at the moment, you know, and trying to deal with. What’s it mean, you know?I don’t hear that much [unofficial AI Beatles songs] because I’m not on the internet that much, but people will say to me: ‘Oh yeah, there’s a track where, you know, John is singing one of my songs.’ And it isn’t, it’s just AI, you know?
So all of that is kind of scary, but exciting because it’s the future. And we were able to use that kind of thing when Peter Jackson did the film Get Back, where it was us making the Let It Be album. And he was able to extricate John’s voice from a ropey little bit of cassette that had John’s voice and a piano. He could separate them with AI.
They tell the machine: ‘That’s a voice, this is a guitar, lose the guitar.’ And he did that. So it has great uses.
So when we came to make what will be the last Beatles record, it was a demo that John had that we worked on and we just finished it up. It’ll be released this year.
We were able to take John’s voice and get it pure through this AI. So then we could mix the record as you would normally do, you know, so it gives you some sort of leeway.
So there’s a good side to it and then a scary side. And we’ll just have to see where that leads.
The artificial intelligence was Peter Jackson’s neural network MAL (machine-assisted learning) AI, named after The Beatles’ road manager Mal Evans. It was first used in the 2021 documentary Get Back.
The string arrangement for ‘Now And Then’ was by McCartney, Giles Martin, and Ben Foster. It was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles on 1 May 2022. The session musicians were unaware that it was for a Beatles recording, believing it was a McCartney solo project.
‘Now And Then’ won Best Rock Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. It was also nominated for Record of the Year, but lost out to Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’.
The release
‘Now And Then’ was finally released as a single on streaming services on 2 November 2023, and later on the remixed reissue of the 1967-1970 compilation, also known as the Blue album.
The song was also issued as a double a-side single on 3 November 2023, with a new ‘true stereo’ remix of ‘Love Me Do’. The single was released on white marble, light blue, clear, and black 7″ vinyl, red 12″ vinyl, black 12″ vinyl, and cassette.
On 1 November 2023, the day before the single dropped, a short film on the making of the song was released. It contained footage from the recording sessions in 1995 and the 21st century, as well as contributions from Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Ono Lennon, Peter Jackson, and others involved in its creation. The film was directed by Oliver Murray and produced by Jonathan Clyde and Sophie Hilton.
The video
The music video for ‘Now And Then’ was directed by Peter Jackson, and was released on 3 November 2023.
The video features previously-unseen footage of The Beatles, including brief shots of the band performing in Birkenhead on 10 February 1962. The material was supplied by their former drummer Pete Best.
It is the only known footage of The Beatles performing in their leather stage gear. It was bought by Best’s brother Roag, and cleaned up by Jackson.
The video also contains footage of The Beatles recorded during the 1995 sessions for Anthology, as well as previously-unseen archive material including home movie footage of Harrison, new shots of McCartney and Starr, and archive shots of The Beatles.
Press release
“NOW AND THEN” TO BE RELEASED WORLDWIDE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 AT 2PM GMT / 10AM EDT / 7AM PDTTHE BEATLES’ 1962-1966 (‘THE RED ALBUM’) AND 1967-1970 (‘THE BLUE ALBUM’) COLLECTIONS EXPANDED, MIXED IN STEREO & DOLBY ATMOS FOR 2023 EDITION RELEASES OUT NOVEMBER 10
London – October 26, 2023 – Together and apart, The Beatles have always had a talent for the unexpected. And now, 2023 brings one of the most anticipated releases of their long and endlessly eventful history. “Now And Then” is the last Beatles song – written and sung by John Lennon, developed and worked on by Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, and now finally finished by Paul and Ringo over four decades later.
“Now And Then” will be released worldwide at 2pm GMT / 10am EDT / 7am PDT on Thursday, November 2 by Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe. The double A-side single pairs the last Beatles song with the first: the band’s 1962 debut UK single, “Love Me Do,” a truly fitting full-circle counterpart to “Now And Then.” Both songs are mixed in stereo and Dolby Atmos, and the release features original cover art by renowned artist Ed Ruscha. The new music video for “Now And Then” will debut on Friday, November 3. More details including global premiere plans will be announced.
A 12-minute “Now And Then – The Last Beatles Song” documentary film, written and directed by Oliver Murray, will debut on November 1. The film’s global online premiere will be hosted on The Beatles’ YouTube channel at 7:30pm GMT / 3:30pm EDT / 12:30pm PDT. This poignant short film tells the story behind the last Beatles song, with exclusive footage and commentary from Paul, Ringo, George, Sean Ono Lennon and Peter Jackson.
I hope some day this song can be completed.
Me too. Need more Beatles!!
Our wishes have come true my friend! It’s a bittersweet ending to our boys’ music!
How nice it was to hear John’s beautiful voice again.
My heart would like it. The guitar sound that George plays for this song can be heard at least as much as the piano sound in this song.
Because in that song there are two people who are not alive now. John and George
John’s voice is given justice. But George’s guitar was not given its due, it seems like it was left behind. Vocals are almost inaudible over the noise
The song is perfect musically. But the mixing is very bad.
The sounds seemed loud to me, as if they were overlapping.
It’s a bit Lovely Rita style.
As you said, I wish this song would be remixed to become a more lively and clear song.
This recording should be released. It is strange how information is so hard
to come buy regarding this track. The
secrecy surrounding this recording is
in very poor taste,and a crime for Beatle fans dying to hear it.
What Beatles fans “want” should be of no concern in any decision to release it or not.
It’s in poor taste to think you “deserve” to hear it simply because you consider yourself a fan.
No you are wrong
Give to Lennon’s kids to finish it with Paul and ringo to help
Want a legacy it would it would be.for their father
bet you feel really stupid now lmao
If you’re replying to me, no I don’t. I said what the fans want is irrelevant. It still is. Paul and Ringo’s desire, with Yoko’s and Olivia’s support, to finish and release it is the ONLY reason it exists.
Again, assuming you were replying to me – don’t you feed embarrassed and a little stupid yourself?
New reports on the internet say the song was finished by Paul McCartney over a year ago. There were a number of Sessions by McCartney over a two or three year period. former Beatle engineers Ken Scott and Eddie Klein have both said in no uncertain terms the song is finished and sounds very Beatley. All four Beatles are on the track according to Klein and Scott. Klein actually engineered the sessions when McCartney embellished and finished the song. Still there seems to be some sort of official cover up denying the public the right to know about the finished recording.
Interesting news, Ben. And thanks for the use of the adjective “Beatley”. It’s one of my personal favorites.
any more hints if and when this might officially surface?
If the song is finished and there is a hold up, it may be from either the Harrison or the Lennon estate.
Yoko has final say on the matter, as she should.
Now there’s a tape on high quality, enough to record it again, and there’s some guitar than George did before he died, so Paul & Ringo can complete this with no excuses.
Not sure I am all that happy McCartney would finish it and release it. Obviously I want to hear it, but without John around to OK it and George having rejected it before, something just seems…off…about finishing it and releasing it now that George has passed on.
Free As a Bird and Real Love were both so beautiful, but it really featured a collaborative effort from the boys. I don’t know. I’d rather him release Carnival of Light and the 27-minute version of Helter Skelter
A lot of tracks were’t collaborative after 1965. I don’t think that’s a criterion to apply. What’s more interesting – imho – is the American soul covers on the early albums. Are they useful? Beatles for Sale is 50 per cent covers, but the Lennon MCartney stuff is so extraordinary that you have to wonder why they didn’t just carry on with the self penned stuff after AHDN…
At that point, they were so busy touring and doing press stuff, they had little time (or energy) to pound out a lot of good quality original stuff, much less take the time to properly arrange them as ‘Beatle Songs’, hence the fall back to Cavern day standards that they could run off in their sleep.
I agree completely. Yoko has veto power (as she should) so I wouldn’t expect to see it released. (Easy to say 8 years later 😉 ).
WHY should Yoko have the final word on her dead husband’s demo from over 40 years ago? It’s a Lennon composition, not an Ono one (thank God).
well, as I understand it, she is in charge of the Lennon estate, which I imagine John would’ve been fully supportive of. she does have control over what goes out, whether you are happy with that as a fan shouldn’t really make a difference. she has the rights to choose what to put out. but, of course, you have the right to be annoyed about her choices (and I know I wish the Beatle people would just put out everything)
Because SHE controls the Lennon Estate (as Olivia controls the Harrison Estate). The music ownership / control falls under the auspices of the Estate. Therefore, she controls it. Simple, huh?
Supposedly, George passed on it because there was a bad hum throughout the track, and it was lacking verses, so that the three of them would have to do a lot of reworking.
Free as a Bird, Real Love, Now and Then, Carnival of Light, and the 27 min. version of Helter Skelter should all get released on to one new Album, w/ the original recording of Free as a Bird, Real Love and Now and Then.
It seems many unreleased songs were prepared by the engineering staff during the Beatles remaster project. At sometime between 2007-9 many of these unreleased songs were prepared by the remastering staff working for Apple. For some reason they weren’t released. Clearly the unreleased material was being prepared for something. Now four years later not a word. Strange days indeed.
Please let this be released!
Everything in the vault has been mixed for release for (50 year) audio copyright renewal purposes.
I agree that Now & Then must be released, but not in isolation. Other unreleased songs which Paul & Ringo should ‘complete’ (to Free As A Bird and Real Love standard) and re-master, include these excellent 60’s demos : Child Of Nature, Sour Milk Sea, Goodbye, Bad To Me, I Lost My Little Girl, Take Good Care Of My Baby, September In The Rain, I’m In Love, One & One Is Two, a medley of the ‘Threetles’ songs (released on the Anthology DVD, plus Carnival Of Light.. Enough material for a Beatles “Post script” album, which should also include Free As A Bird & Real Love, plus Christmas Time Is Here Again which has only ever been issued as a single B-side (and deserves an album release)…
Yes. This is right. Important not to conflate completism with assessment of quality tho…
Apparently some YouTube user tried to remix the demo of “Now and Then” you all can check it out on YouTube. I don’t think its legal because of copyrights… I hope the Beatles don’t find it he may get sued… I do wish they would complete the track it would be a nice addition to another Beatles chapter. They should get as many tracks out before they do die. I mean even look at Michael Jackson they even remixed an album of demos and it doesn’t sound half bad. I can’t even think of a person attempting that with the Beatles with there unreleased tracks. Every artist will have 5 tracks unreleased tracks for every 1 released track.
This has nothing to do with The Beatles.
That’s nonsense. Why? All the great stuff is fragmented and rhen brought together. It depends on the original input and the proper engagement of the final producer. In this case it’s Paul redefining John. That’s ‘Beatley’ enough for me. Listen to it. And be grateful:-)
I agree with Bob, Let It Be!
If you don’t believe in it don’t buy it, but don’t attempt to stop the rest of us from getting a chance to hear it! Of course it has to do with the Beatles, it is the Beatles! All Four Beatles are on the track. McCartney did a number of sessions several years ago, editing, writing additional bits, overdubbing, then more recently, McCartney, Ringo and Jeff Lynne did the final touches it is complete up to or exceeding the FAAB Real Love standard. As our previous poster said, in 2007-9 staff at EMI/Abbey Road prepared a number of unreleased tracks, which ones? well who knows, maybe Sour Milk Sea with George’s vocal flown in, or found on the multi’s, and Carnival Of Light, Now and then, maybe All For Love, a bunch of unreleased Beatles tracks were prepared as possible bonus tracks on expanded issues or for some purpose. These things cost money to do, they must have done all this secret work, for all these years for some purpose Is this not so?
For crying out loud McCartney just said on camera in that Jeff Lynne BBC 4 documentary that he couldn’t wait to go in with Jeff and finish Now and then, a little rude inside joke I suppose? or a clue?
Fortunately, what you or I may want doesn’t matter. The only one who can approve or deny is Yoko.
As it should be….and she has said (some years ago now) that she wasn’t keen to let Paul finish it and have it released.
Yes, Mike P, I agree. And if that is Yoko’s view then I happen to agree with her on this also. It is beautiful. It is JOHN’s thing! I see no reason why any of the several John’s home recorded versions (with John’s piano only) could not be worked up into a beautiful finished reccording. I don’t see that it has much to do with Paul, or even with Ringo, or with George’s estate for that matter. With George Martin now deceased, whom would John have trusted, next best, to get it into a full arrangement and production suitable for release as ‘finsihed’? It never was a (REAL) ‘Lennon, Mc.Cartney’ anyway.
Considering all the officially released Beatles’ songs that have one or more members NOT playing on them, I don´t think it is entirely necessary to release today only songs that have John AND George playing on them. If Paul & Ringo add their new backing to whatever they choose of these left-overs, they may very well be allowed to call it a Beatles recording, if they so choose. The quality of the end result is another matter though…
this song’s never going to be released, is it?
And in the end, the songs we get are equal to the ones They make..
“Now and then” is such a beautiful song, maybe as epic as “imagine” , and John has dedicated it to Paul. If it becomes a “Beatles” song, it will be one of the best ever. The problem for Paul might be, that he has a wonderful song dedicated to John, but there is no chance that it will ever be a “Beatles” Song, as John cannot join in…
If you were here today. Oooooh, here today….
Love that song; the first time I heard it was the closest I ever got to crying over my laptop. I play it on the guitar all the time. It’s the only song I know where the lyrics truly matter to me. (I know, I know.)
But as for “Now and Then”, I don’t know that I need them to remake it. I’d like to just see them clean up the demo a bit and release it officially. Bootlegs make me feel guilty! 🙂
Not guilty
For listening to a track
By a man who can’t come back… >snif<
I'm not trying to be smart, I only want to hear the rest!
I sob every time I hear Here Today…no, I blubber
It’s one of the most beautiful songs John has ever written, Also painful He sings as if he was really missing someone. I feel like crying every time I listen to it. Now…At least we can listen to ti on youtube. There are some videos with drums and guitars and some people say it’s by The Beatles. I don’t think they are, I am not sure, I always listen to that amazing video featuring only John and his piano. And his pain.
I like the song how it is it has its own sound and I think it should stay that way
it’s a beautiful song by John, so deep and personal. i think they should complete it, Paul and Ringo, and then release it. when an artist dies his work must surface, unless he had stated otherwise. and time leaves a stream of purity along that unfineshed art, so i think it’s a shame let not know worldwide such beauty. i mean it for the George’s unreleased (Valentine ecc) too
In a filmed interview (can´t remember which at the moment), Paul described the discussion regarding the recording. George Harrison told Paul “It´s f*****g rubbish”, Paul said “But it´s John, you know”, George replied “Yeah, but it´s still f*****g rubbish!” It would be very difficult for Paul to try to finish the track after that. Another thing is, the Threetles could have asked Yoko for other John songs, perhaps a bit more upbeat than this dreary poorly-recorded piece on a cassette.
Now and then, Grow old with me, Free as a bird are just about the same type of song, all very slow piano based ballads.
Today, if they so decided and their ex-partners´ wives agreed to it, Paul and Ringo could get together and use both John AND George leftovers to make an album, but that would be squeezing things beyond what is up to their standards. Personally, I am okay with what they have done together already. I don´t need a record constructed by The Twotles sold under the name The Beatles.
I saw the interview with Paul you mentioned just recently on UTube and I got a bit mad at George. Fair enough – “Now And Then” is not a lost masterpiece but it has enough potential to be made into a decent song.
It’s a little strange: the three of them said working on “Real Love” was less fun than “Free As A Bird” because it was practically finished and they didn’t get to input as much – but on “Now And Then” they really would have had the opportunity to contribute massively to finish it and they discard the track!?
There are several finished versions of “Now And Then” floating around in cyberspace and some of them are really well done. I think George should have thought more about the fans and give the track a serious chance.
You are right, they could have asked Yoko for other demos as John recorded dozens of home tapes over the years – but to be honest most of the unreleased songs (read: fragments) are really not that great. The best bits went into the songs released on “Double Fantasy / Milk & Honey”. It would have been interesting if they had reworked some tunes from “Milk & Honey” but I think they wanted to present something that had never been officially released before.
It’s just sad – we could have had three “new” Beatles songs but we only got two because George didn’t like the song (maybe subconscious revenge on his part because he never got the space he deserved on the albums?).
And why do you think Paul was not mad at George when he reported that story about George rejecting the song ‘Now and Then’. I think George knew that Lennon’s song ‘Now and Then’ was not a good thing for Paul once they got into it, that it could somehow damage his psyche to finish and release it. George loved Paul and trying to protect him; deep down Paul knew that to be true and why he was not mad at George for rejecting it.
George had a good ear and McCartney valued his opinion. But Just like when there were four of them, all had to agree, and at least George didn’t. Paul didn’t release the song on its 40th anniversary (2019). What is he waiting for?
“Now and then” is simply one of my John Lennon’s favourites, just him and his piano, the melody is haunting, sometimes I fing myself humming or whistling it. It needs no further embellishment or decoration. by the way, I’ve just read here that it was dedicated to Paul, could you be more specific, Werner?
Just because some “fans” demand it be released doesn’t mean it should or will.
I agree with Bob above; leave it alone.
No, no, no, it must be released. I absolutely love it, can’t get enough of the song, it’s brilliant. Please please me someone. Jeff, Paul, Ringo hurry up !!
I really like iamaphoneys version(s). He pretty much nailed the song, even approximated the typical Jeff Lynne production style and it is really well arranged.
In fact a lot of iamaphoneys music stuff is very good. “Shoes” is brilliant. But the PiD/conspiracy ideas put forth in the RA videos sort of cancels out the effort, which is is why the project never really took off as intended (I’m guessing).
There is speculation Paul is somehow linked to iamaphoney. Some things really seem to point in that direction. One thing is the amount of money/effort put into the project. But more obviously, the stuff has never been taken down for copyright reasons.
Whoever said it needs a chorus, well it doesn’t need a chorus as there are three parts to the song, if anything when it goes back to Now and then….. then that’s the chorus. It’s a beautiful song with a memorable melody, I’m not sure why George wouldn’t do it.
The tape was given to Paul from Yoko and as far as I recall it was marked as ‘for Paul’. I think that’s correct, but please put me right if not. So for me it’s for Paul to do what he wants with. I suspect he’s already done something and is waiting for the moment that is right.
Don’t leave it too long Paul.
Well, there it is… Thanks, AI. Thanks, Peter Jackson. Thanks, Paul.
The amount of entitlement some posters here express is amazingly disgusting!
No musician “owes” me or anyone else a lifelong, near-endless supply of their art.
Isn’t it enough that the Beatles as a group and as solo artists have already provided us with a lifetime’s worth of art? And now, with what may actually well be the final ‘authorized’ release with input from the two members still alive, why do some posters STILL feel the need to complain (“It could’ve been out earlier if George hadn’t hated it”) or say they’re owed more (“They should complete the Apple vaults stuff, get the Beatle kids to finish it up”,etc.)?
I’m a lifelong Beatlemaniac,but if “Now and Then” is the swan song, so be it…or,as another song once suggested, let it be!
This have been on the internet since July 28, it was removed august 1 and re-uploaded again in end of august. Its amazing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsfJdtXsokU
As glad as I am about finishing and releasing NaT eventually, I do not understand why there will be no CD- single … just as Free As A Bird and Real Love … it could easily contain Love Me Do stereo and 2 more remixed tracks from the red and blue 2023 …
there is no consequent policy in these releases ( or the policy is to gain more money with the Red and Blue for 49.99 € … I don’t fancy vinyl in various colours …
Yes, I ordered mine today (black vinyl 7” version), but Apple’s prices are ridiculous. $16.98 plus shipping for a 45 RPM single. The colored vinyl versions are even higher.
It’s really a special song to be the last one. So fittingly nostalgic and John’s voice is just beautiful.
Disappointed to hear in Peter Jackson’s 12-minute film that it’s a tribute-to-George solo by Paul, not a George solo. It’s a simple enough solo for this to seem plausible. I wonder what bits of George’s are on the release – maybe the guitar figures in the outro?
I have serious doubts about George’s participation in this recording. Did he actually record guitars in 1994? A significant portion of his refusal to be part of the Anthology project was his dislike for the song, not just its quality.
Initially, there were reports stating that George was credited on the electric guitar, but it appears that this might not be the case. It’s Paul stating that he ‘plays George’s slide guitar part’ (quite an ambiguous claim).
I also see several indications attempting to emphasize George’s involvement in this track. For instance, in the video, before the countdown, a snippet of ‘Norwegian Wood’ that he played in the garden meeting in 1994 is used, as if he were there ‘about to record,’ when it’s not the case. It also seems that he is recording this song in the video, but clearly, judging by the chords, what he’s playing is ‘Free as a Bird.’
I’ve listened to the isolated tracks on YouTube, and the alleged acoustic guitar attributed to George raises many doubts for me. Is there any reliable source confirming George’s actual participation in this project?
Directly from The Beatles website: “In 2022, Paul and Ringo set about completing the song. Besides John’s vocal, “Now And Then” includes electric and acoustic guitar recorded in 1995 by George, Ringo’s new drum part, and bass, guitar and piano from Paul, which matches John’s original playing. Paul added a slide guitar solo inspired by George; he and Ringo also contributed backing vocals to the chorus.”
I can’t think of a more reliable source.
I am fairly sure not every minute, second of the 1994/1995 session were recorded on video. However, at 1.01 in the official music video you can see Paul cleary singing “Now and Then” while George playing his guitar.
The song is rubbish, there’s nothing here but nostalgia. Paul (and Ringo) shouldn’t have touched John’s demo, which was much better. The mixing is frankly bad. Somewhat mediocre and technically crooked, sound is so flat.
Now And Then … a few thoughts
Well it’s not Strawberry Fields but hang on – how many takes, bits, pieces and synchronizations went into that masterpiece?
Now And Then – the Lennon demo is stark and sad.
In comparison, ‘the Beatles’ version is busy and has a lot of components but add time (decades) as well.
What about I Am The Walrus? Wasn’t it two/three fragments stitched together (sitting in an English garden) and given the box and dice by George Martin?? Same as Baby Your a Rich Man and let’s not get started on the Abbey Road Medley.
Xenochrony (strange synchronizations)
Delia Derbyshire started this sort of thing with Dr Who but it was Zappa who coined/invented the phrase and used it continually until his departure.
George Martin had an experimental side which he let loose in the Beatles’ psychedelic phase and beyond. George was still stitching songs together in the Anthologies but only to complete a listening experience.
Giles learnt this from his father and we got the Love collaboration.
Yes, Now And Then is definitely a Beatles’ song … but maybe not the last one???
Dave from downunder.
the og demo is hauntingly beautiful but I have to agree that that the official is way too flat. I really like how aired out the snare sounded on free as a bird and real love compared to this. I also dont like the omitted lyrics. the guitar and string work is nice. funnily enough I enjoy a cover by dreamerjazz on yt thats played like early beatles way way more.
There is something very touching about all the people returning to the iamaphoney version after the official release. Iamaphony is finally getting recognition for making this, and basically outdoing the surviving Beatles. It’s like, we didn’t have to wait for Paul or Ringo to complete the song, because the spirit of the music has been absorbed by all of us. The Beatles live on in everyone, evidenced by an anonymous musician picking up the parts and constructing a magical arrangement that carries the timeless soul of the original band
Too bad, really. Real Love was a really nice, apropos ending to the Beatles’ legacy. Why McCartney can never Let It Be, I’ll never understand. There is nothing, really, in the writing/composing nor the recording that is worth listening to more than once. Harrison was right. He said at the time (which ol’ Paul seems to have conveniently forgotten) that the song was “naff”. I agree.
A bittersweet finale from our Fave Fabs. The song is beautiful, haunting and mesmerizing. The Threetles in the 90s and Ringo and Paul, with a little help from Peter Jackson and his M.A.L., did an amazing job to put a wonderful coda on a 60 year career. The lyrics are poignant, especially IF this song was actually written by John, for Paul…..the production is stellar and the musicianship top notch. I love the video and my only 2 complaints are: John’s piano missing from the mix and the less than Fab cover for the record/single/cd…… would’ve been nice if Klaus Voorman could have done another artistic job like Revolver or the Anthology releases. The Final Beatle’s Song has not disappointed! Well Done Boys!
TA so much?
Well finally the last song The Beatles will ever release have been performed Live for the first time in
our small country Uruguay in Montevideo city in the legendary 94 years old Football Stadium “Centenario”
(place of first FIFA Wold Cup in 1930) on October 1st 2024 at 21:38 GMT-3, in a 3.5 million people country with a deep and long lasting support to Beatles’ legendary and revolutionary musical work that influenced and encouraged very strongly our local musical figures and mostly everyone, we are deeply grateful that Paul have gave this gift to us, for the 3rd time since 2012 we were privileged to share 3 hours with this legendary artist that will fill the pages of musical texts in the coming centuries together with former greatest artists from the past