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.”
