The Beatles: Now, Then and Forever

Earlier this week, Universal Music India organized a trip to visit the Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh ahead of the British band releasing their final song together called “Now And Then.” Walking across the premises where the group – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – set up camp in 1968 to take part in a Transcendental training course at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, was quite a surreal experience. While in India, the Beatles also wrote plenty of songs, many of which appeared on their self-titled 1968 record, also known as the White Album.

The tale of “Now And Then” unfolds in the late Seventies, with Lennon crafting a demo featuring vocals and piano within the confines of his New York Dakota Building residence. The mid-1990s marked a pivotal moment in this story when Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono entrusted the recording to McCartney, Harrison and Starr. Alongside Lennon’s demos for “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love,” these materials became the catalyst for the creation of new Beatles songs, eventually released as singles in 1995 and 1996, as part of The Beatles Anthology project.

Concurrently, the now trio embarked on a collaborative journey to breathe life into “Now And Then,” enlisting the talents of producer Jeff Lynne. However, technological constraints at the time hindered the separation of Lennon’s vocals and piano, impeding the achievement of the pristine, unadulterated mix necessary to complete the song. Thus, “Now And Then” found itself shelved, with a glimmer of hope that it might someday see the light of day.

Fast forward to 2021, the year The Beatles: Get Back docuseries, directed by Peter Jackson, left audiences awestruck with its award-winning film and audio restoration. Utilizing WingNut Films’ revolutionary MAL audio technology, Jackson’s team successfully deconstructed the series’ mono soundtrack, isolating individual instruments and vocal tracks, and even dissecting The Beatles’ conversations. This milestone sparked curiosity about what could be achieved with the “Now And Then” demo. Jackson and his audio wizards, led by Emile de la Rey, applied the same groundbreaking technique to Lennon’s original home recording. This process preserved the clarity and authenticity of his initial vocal performance, effectively separating it from the accompanying piano.

In 2022, McCartney and Starr took up the mantle to finish what was started. “Now And Then” now boasts not only Lennon’s iconic vocals but also includes electric and acoustic guitar tracks, originally recorded by Harrison in 1995. Starr contributed a fresh drum part, while McCartney added his signature touch with bass, guitar, and piano, meticulously matching Lennon’s original performance. Not stopping there, McCartney incorporated a slide guitar solo, inspired by Harrison’s brilliance, and both he and Starr lent their voices to the chorus as backing vocalists. The result is a remarkable musical collaboration that bridges the past and the present, breathing new life into a cherished piece of Beatles history.

In a statement, McCartney said, “There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. 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.” Starr added, “It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him [Lennon] 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.” 

The mounting excitement and eager anticipation surrounding “Now And Then” has been steadily growing since June, when McCartney first tantalized fans with hints of “a fresh Beatles composition” during a media interview. Finally, the much-awaited moment has arrived with “Now And Then” unveiled to the world, allowing audiences to experience it in all its intended glory.

This remarkable conclusion to The Beatles’ recorded legacy paves the way for the release of renewed editions of two iconic compilation albums that have long served as the quintessential gateway to their musical journey. The 1962-1966 (The Red Album) and 1967-1970 (The Blue Album) collections have introduced legions of listeners from diverse backgrounds and age groups, hailing from every corner of the globe, into the lifelong realm of Beatles fandom.

For their highly-anticipated 2023 edition releases, set to be available on November 10th, these collections have been expanded to encompass The Beatles’ entire discography, boasting a total of 75 standout tracks. These songs span from their very first single, “Love Me Do,” to their swan song, “Now And Then.”

Watch the short film for “Now And Then” below: