The Beatles’ “Now And Then” Track Set to Become 18th Number One Single
The track “Now and Then” by The Beatles, based on demo tapes recorded before John Lennon’s death in 1980, is on its way to becoming the band’s 18th number one single. Surpassing the rest of the top five combined in its opening weekend, the song, originally written by the late John Lennon and developed by his fellow band members, including George Harrison, has finally been completed and released. According to the Official Chart Company’s first look, the song is expected to reach number one.
Should it reach the number one spot, it would mark The Beatles’ first chart-topper in 54 years since “The Ballad Of John And Yoko” in 1969.
This remastered track was sourced from a demo recorded by Lennon himself at his home in New York’s Dakota Building in the late 1970s. Following Lennon’s passing in 1980, his wife Yoko Ono gave the recording, along with “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love,” to the remaining Beatles in 1994. The band, consisting of Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Ringo Starr, Sir George Harrison (before his death in 2001), recorded new parts and completed the song with the help of producer and musician Jeff Lynne. However, due to limited technology at the time, the song remained unreleased.
Recently, filmmaker Peter Jackson utilized audio restoration technology to isolate vocals, music, and conversations by the band, including for “Now And Then,” the completion of which features Sir Paul and Sir Ringo alongside Lennon and Harrison, playing instruments. This music video, directed by Jackson, showcases the earliest-ever footage of the band, filmed in a Merseyside church hall in 1962, before they became the world’s most famous rock stars.
Sir Paul McCartney expressed his sentiment about the track in an interview, stating that he liked the idea of not letting go of the memories and love shared with loved ones. He hopes people remember the Beatles for the joy, talent, humor, and love associated with the band. Sir Ringo Starr also expressed his desire for the group to be remembered with love and emphasized the continuing impact of their music.
The emotional and touching music video for “Now And Then” received praise from fans on social media for its powerful portrayal of the band members coming together one last time. The video, which includes CGI to bring Lennon and Harrison back, features footage from the early years of the band, when they performed in leather attire at St Paul’s Presbyterian Church Hall in Birkenhead in February 1962.
The Beatles’ iconic ‘last ever song’ Now And Then poised to dominate UK singles chart
