When was the Beatles' "Now and Then" released?
"Now and Then" was released on the 2nd of November 2023 as a double A-side single paired with a new stereo remix of "Love Me Do".
Questions about Now and Then (Beatles song)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who originally wrote "Now and Then" and when?
John Lennon wrote and recorded "Now and Then" as a solo home demo around 1977 at his apartment at the Dakota in New York City. He left it unfinished at his death in 1980.
Why was "Now and Then" shelved in 1995?
George Harrison's objection to the low-quality recording, combined with a 60-Hz mains hum that was too loud to remove, caused the Beatles to abandon the project after roughly one afternoon of recording in March 1995. McCartney later stated that Harrison called the demo "fucking rubbish" and that, as a democracy, the band did not proceed.
What technology was used to restore John Lennon's voice for "Now and Then"?
Peter Jackson's WingNut Films used a neural network called MAL (machine-assisted learning), named after Beatles road manager Mal Evans, to isolate Lennon's vocal from the piano track on his original demo. The technology had previously been developed over four years for the 2021 documentary The Beatles: Get Back.
Did "Now and Then" reach number one in the UK?
Yes. "Now and Then" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in the week following its release, making it the Beatles' first UK number one in 54 years. It accumulated 78,000 units in its first full week, with 48,000 from physical sales and downloads.
What Grammy Awards did "Now and Then" win or receive?
"Now and Then" won Best Rock Performance and was nominated for Record of the Year at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. It was the first artificial intelligence-assisted recording to receive a Grammy nomination.