Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media, Inc.
“The Beatles’ Last Song, ‘Now And Then,’ on Track to Achieve Their 18th UK Number One Single”
The Beatles are on the verge of achieving their first UK number one single in 54 years with their final song, “Now And Then.”
This song is currently outselling and outstreaming the rest of the top five combined, positioning it to become the band’s 18th number one single in the UK. If it reaches the top spot, it will mark The Beatles’ first UK chart-topping single since “The Ballad Of John And Yoko” in 1969.
The genesis of “Now And Then” dates back to a 1977 demo by John Lennon, which Yoko Ono shared with the surviving Beatles after her husband’s tragic murder in 1980. Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr collaborated on the track during studio sessions in February 1995, which also produced the singles “Real Love” and “Free As A Bird.” At the time, they faced challenges in isolating Lennon’s vocals on the demo and decided to shelve the project.
In a 12-minute film teasing the song’s release, McCartney explained their initial struggles, stating, “Every time I wanted a little bit more of John’s voice, this piano came through and clouded the picture.” The project was put on hold for nearly a quarter of a century until the right moment arrived, coinciding with technological advancements facilitated by Peter Jackson and his team during the making of the “Get Back” documentary.
The release of “Now And Then” was a poignant and emotional experience for the Beatles. Ringo Starr reflected, “It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room, so it was very emotional for all of us. It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out.”
The accompanying video for “Now And Then” was directed by Peter Jackson, who initially had reservations about taking on the project. He shared his feelings, saying, “To be honest, just thinking about the responsibility of having to make a music video worthy of the last song The Beatles will ever release produced a collection of anxieties almost too overwhelming to deal with. My lifelong love of The Beatles collided into a wall of sheer terror at the thought of letting everyone down.”
Liam Gallagher has offered his enthusiastic endorsement of the song. He described “Now And Then” as “absolutely incredible, biblical, celestial, heartbreaking, and heartwarming all at the same time” in a post on X. He also paid tribute to The Beatles, proclaiming, “Long live The Beatles.”