The Beatles’ Last Song

Love Me Do talks about The Beatles’ Last Song, Now and Then, from the original recording by John Lennon in the late 1970s to its eventual release in 2023.

Release of The Beatles’ Last Song

In November 2023, the world witnessed a historic moment in music history with the release of Now and Then, the final song by The Beatles. Dubbed the last Beatles song, it marked the closing chapter of the band’s unparalleled legacy, more than five decades after their breakup in 1970.

The song’s journey from a dusty demo to a fully realized track is a testament to the enduring magic of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, as well as the power of modern technology to bridge the past and present.

The Beatles’ Last Song Demo Recording

Now and Then originated from a late-1970s demo recording by John Lennon, created during his time in New York City. The raw and intimate tape, featuring Lennon’s voice and piano, was one of several songs given to the surviving Beatles by Yoko Ono in the mid-1990s.

At the time, the band attempted to complete the track as part of their Anthology project, which had already yielded two new Beatles songs, Free as a Bird and Real Love. However, technical limitations and the poor quality of the original tape made it impossible to finish Now and Then. George Harrison, in particular, expressed reservations about the song, and the project was shelved indefinitely.

Advances in Technology

Decades later, advancements in audio technology, particularly Peter Jackson’s MAL (Machine Assisted Learning) system, breathed new life into the forgotten demo. This groundbreaking technology, used to restore audio for the Get Back documentary, allowed engineers to isolate Lennon’s voice from the background noise, providing a crystal-clear foundation for the song. With this breakthrough, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr decided to revisit Now and Then and complete what they had started.

The Beatles’ Last Song Blends Past and present

The result is a poignant and heartfelt track that seamlessly blends the past and present. Lennon’s voice, tender and reflective, takes center stage, while McCartney and Starr contribute fresh vocals, bass, and drums. George Harrison’s original guitar parts from the 1995 sessions were also incorporated, ensuring that all four Beatles are represented on the track. The song’s lush orchestration, arranged by Giles Martin (son of legendary Beatles producer George Martin), adds a cinematic quality, evoking the grandeur of the band’s later work.

Lyrics of The Beatles’ Last Song

Lyrically, Now and Then is a bittersweet meditation on love, loss, and the passage of time. Lines like “I know it’s true, it’s all because of you” and “Now and then, I miss you” resonate with a profound sense of longing, making it a fitting farewell from a band that defined an era. The song’s release was accompanied by a music video directed by Peter Jackson, which combined archival footage of The Beatles with contemporary visuals, creating a touching tribute to their enduring bond.