Now and Then

Now and Then, the 'last' Beatles song, was released earlier today. 

The song, like Free As A Bird and Real Love from the Anthology Series in 1995, stems from a John Lennon demo. Back in 1995, the technology didn't exist to isolate John's vocal from the piano. 

That was then, this is now. John, Paul, George and Ringo are united once again, to complete the song, continue The Beatles story and help with yet more Beatles remasters and reissues (of the Red and Blue compilation albums).

Personally, I'll never tire of reading about The Beatles, or listening to their brilliant music that wowed (and changed) the world, or hearing their musings and philosophies on life. Give Peace A Chance, All You Need Is Love, We All Shine On .... important then, more so now.

The Beatles story is wonderful and this is another chapter of the most incredible book that takes in; friendship, music, death, love, travel, children, creative souls, mind-blowing success, mind-bending drugs, break-ups, make-ups, reflection ... and four characters that developed through the years, four people we all fell for. It's been quite the journey ... a long and winding road.

Now, with Paul and Ringo in their 80's, this really is likely to be the last time The Beatles create and release a new song. Their legacy will last forever and I'm sure that someone somewhere is working up an ABBA experience style series of shows  ... but lets focus on the new song.

The piano is haunting, and Lennon's voice hits hard, it gripped me immediately. Paul comes in, subtly at first, then your hear his voice coming in stronger, then Ringo's drums seem harder and Paul's bass is there, the strings are sublime and everything builds quite beautifully.

Paul sounds older, his voice still gelling with Lennon in the 70's. George's slide guitar from the 90's is there, the strings swirl and after the second chorus there is a gorgeous dreamy instrumental with classic Beatle aaahhh's and oooohhh's.

I know it's true

It's all because of you

And if I make it through

It's all because

Of you

There was a surge of optimism in mid-90's Britain when The Beatles last released new music. Britpop was at its 1995 peak and Labour were riding towards government. The Tories were on their way out and the nation was ready to party - things could only get better.

We could sure use a surge of optimism and change right now!

Official audio

Peter Jackson's Now and Then film