We are thrilled that “Now And Then” has received two #GRAMMY nominations – for Best Rock Performance and Record of the Year.
Thank you to the Recording Academy!
Now And Then brought the band back together on record for a final time.
The track went on to become The Beatles’ first UK Number One single in over half a century.
In a moment that feels both historic and surreal, The Beatles—yes, *those* Beatles—have once again found themselves at the center of the music world. Their final song, *Now and Then*, has received two GRAMMY nominations: **Best Rock Performance** and the coveted **Record of the Year**. For a band that officially disbanded over five decades ago, this achievement is nothing short of extraordinary.
The Song That Time Resurrected
*Now and Then* began as a rough demo recorded by John Lennon in the late 1970s. For years, it sat unfinished, a haunting fragment of what could have been. In the mid-1990s, during the *Anthology* sessions, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr attempted to complete the track, but technical limitations—particularly the muddiness of Lennon’s vocal recording—made it impossible.
Fast forward to 2023, and technology finally caught up with the dream. Using **AI-powered audio restoration** developed by Peter Jackson’s team (the same minds behind the *Get Back* documentary), Lennon’s vocals were isolated and cleaned up. McCartney and Starr added new instrumentation, and Harrison’s guitar parts from the ’90s sessions were seamlessly woven in. The result? A fully realized Beatles track that sounds both timeless and timely.
A GRAMMY First—And a Last
The nominations for *Now and Then* mark the **first time an AI-assisted song** has been recognized by the Recording Academy in major categories. While the use of artificial intelligence in music has sparked debate, the Beatles’ approach was rooted in preservation, not imitation. As McCartney put it, “There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. It’s quite emotional.”
If the Fab Four win **Record of the Year**, it will be their **first-ever win in that category**, despite previous nominations for classics like *Hey Jude* and *Let It Be*. It would also bring their total GRAMMY wins to eight—a poetic number for a band of four legends.
A UK Chart-Topping Farewell
Upon its release in November 2023, *Now and Then* soared to the top of the UK Singles Chart, becoming The Beatles’ **first UK Number One in over 50 years**. The song resonated with longtime fans and new listeners alike, many of whom were hearing a “new” Beatles song for the first time in their lives.
The single was released alongside *Love Me Do*, their very first hit, creating a full-circle moment that spanned the entirety of their career—from the raw energy of 1962 to the reflective grace of 2023.
A Song of Echoes and Emotion
Lyrically, *Now and Then* is a meditation on love, loss, and longing. Lennon’s original words—“Now and then, I miss you”—take on new meaning when sung by a voice long gone, harmonized by the friends who knew him best. McCartney added subtle lyrical and instrumental flourishes, including a slide guitar solo in tribute to Harrison.
The track is not just a song; it’s a conversation across time. It’s the sound of a band saying goodbye, not just to their fans, but to each other.
The Role of AI: Tool, Not Creator
Much has been made of the AI used to complete *Now and Then*, but it’s important to clarify: **AI didn’t write or perform the song**. It was used to **separate Lennon’s vocals from a noisy demo**, allowing the surviving Beatles to build a new arrangement around it.
This distinction matters. The Beatles didn’t use AI to fabricate Lennon’s voice—they used it to *recover* it. In doing so, they’ve set a precedent for how technology can be used ethically and artistically in music preservation.
A Legacy Reaffirmed
The Beatles’ influence on music is immeasurable. From pioneering studio techniques to redefining what a band could be, they’ve shaped generations of artists. With *Now and Then*, they’ve done it again—this time by showing that even in an age of algorithms and automation, **authenticity still matters**.
Their GRAMMY nominations are more than just accolades; they’re acknowledgments of a legacy that refuses to fade. They’re proof that great music transcends time, technology, and even mortality.
What Comes Next?
The 67th GRAMMY Awards will take place in February 2025. Whether or not *Now and Then* takes home the trophies, its impact is already undeniable. It’s sparked conversations about AI, legacy, and the emotional power of music. It’s brought tears to the eyes of fans who never thought they’d hear a new Beatles song again.
And perhaps most importantly, it’s reminded us that the Beatles were never just a band. They were a phenomenon, a revolution, and now—thanks to one final track—a bridge between the past and the future.
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