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After weeks of anticipation from fans worldwide, the legendary band The Beatles has unveiled what is being called their final track. Called “Now And Then”, the song has been 45 years in the making with initial parts written by founding member John Lennon back in 1978.
All four original Beatles contributed to the recording, marking what could be the closing chapter on one of rock’s most influential groups. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr completed the song in recent years by adding new vocals and instrumentation to Lennon’s original demo recording. The late George Harrison is also featured via rhythm guitar work from 1995.
“Now And Then” received its debut airing on BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music on November 2nd after 2pm GMT. Shortly after, the track landed on major streaming platforms. Physical copies on CD and vinyl will be available the following day, while the song will be included on remastered versions of The Beatles’ anthology albums being released in November.
The ballad incorporates piano and vocals from Lennon’s 1978 demo recording that has circulated as a bootleg for decades. Producer Giles Martin utilized new audio separation technology to isolate Lennon’s voice from the original low-quality cassette, resulting in clearer vocals. McCartney and Starr then built upon the song in the studio.
Reviews have praised the emotional tribute to The Beatles’ enduring bond despite some noting it does not reach the towering heights of their classic material. Either way, the release of “Now And Then” grants closure to the iconic group and the chance for fans to hear one last collaboration from the legendary quartet.
