One year ago today (November 2), The Beatles released what they billed as their “last song,” “Now and Then.”
Videos by American Songwriter
In honor of the anniversary, a new lyric video for the tune has debuted at the band’s official YouTube channel. The animated clip simply shows an image of an old-school cassette tape where handwritten lyrics for “Now and Then” appear on the label as they’re sung.
During instrumental sections of the track, animated drawings are seen, including eyes, swirling geometric shapes, and hands holding hands.
About the Making of “Now and Then”
“Now and Then” actually was created over a 40-plus-year period, starting life as a raw tape recording that John Lennon made in the late 1970s at his home in New York City at the Dakota building. The track featured Lennon singing while accompanying himself on piano.
In 1994, Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, gave the “Now and Then” recording to Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, as well as John’s demos for “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love,” with the intention of having the surviving Beatles complete the tunes as part of The Beatles Anthology project.
“Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” were finished and released, respectively, in 1995 and 1996. In the case of “Now and Then,” because of technological limitations at the time, Lennon’s vocals couldn’t be separated from the piano adequately enough for a quality mix. The unfinished track was then shelved with hopes that it could be revisited when audio technology had advanced more.
Eventually, new audio technology that filmmaker Peter Jackson employed to enhance the sound of 2021 docuseries The Beatles: Get Back was utilized to lift Lennon’s vocals from the “Now and Then” demo, clearing the way for the song to be finished.
In 2022, McCartney and Starr added new instrumental tracks and backing vocals to the song. A Beatles-style string arrangement created by Sir Paul, producer Giles Martin, and composer Ben Foster completed the track.
“Now and Then” Release Details
“Now and Then” was released as a digital single on November 2, 2023. Physical versions of the single were released the following day on vinyl and cassette.
An official “Now and Then” music video directed by Jackson also premiered on November 3, 2023. The emotional clip combined archival footage of the band members with newly filmed scenes featuring McCartney and Starr.
“Now and Then” also was included on the expanded reissue of The Beatles’ 1967-1970 compilation, commonly known as “The Blue Album,” which was released on November 10,2023.
McCartney Has Been Performing “Now and Then” on Tour
McCartney performed “Now and Then” live for the first time on October 1 at the kickoff of his latest solo tour in Montevideo, Uruguay. The song has been featured at all 10 concerts he’s played on the trek so far.
McCartney’s 2024 Got Back Tour continues on November 5 with a show in San Jose, Costa Rica. The trek will then visit Guadalupe, Mexico, on November 8, followed by three concerts in Mexico City, on November 12, 14, and 15.
McCartney then will head to Europe for a run of dates starting with a December 4-5 stand in Nanterre, France. The trek will wind down with a pair of shows in London, on December 18 and 19.
Tickets for McCartney’s concerts can be purchased now via a variety of outlets, including StubHub.
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