Paul McCartney’s Age-Defying Magic with New Beatles Tune
At 81, Paul McCartney surpasses the energy levels of many who are significantly younger. This iconic musician and twice-inducted Rock Hall of Famer unveiled a piece of Beatles nostalgia last week with the release of a “new” Beatles tune and its accompanying music video, immediately following a major Australian tour put on by Frontier Touring. Alongside these, he also introduced a 12-minute Beatles short film and handled numerous press engagements, making his presence felt in multiple realms simultaneously.
In a conversation with BBC Radio 1, McCartney shared that the song “Now And Then” was not just a mere undertaking of interest but also carried an enchanting quality. He explained that while recording, John Lennon’s voice filled their ears as if he were just nearby, making it a delightful and almost surreal experience to seemingly collaborate with Lennon once more after many years.
The song, originating from a demo Lennon recorded in the Dakota Building in New York during the 1970s, was once considered lost to poor audio quality. However, with the innovative MAL audio technology developed by Peter Jackson’s WingNut Films team, the song’s elements were revived.
With arrangements by Giles Martin, Paul, and Ben Foster, and featuring inputs from all the Beatles, the song is being hailed as their “final” record. McCartney expressed that completing the track felt like a magical process. The single has seen a roaring start in the UK, currently leading the Official Charts Company’s tally and outperforming the combined sales of the top five.
The integration of AI in completing “Now And Then” has become a significant aspect of its narrative, aligning with the Beatles’ longstanding fascination with technological advancements. McCartney reminisced about the group’s history with audio innovations, highlighting how even accidental tape reversals sparked their creative interests, which now resonate in the work done by Peter Jackson, allowing McCartney to virtually reunite with Lennon’s voice.
McCartney also reflected on his recent performance at the Glastonbury Festival 2023. He described the event as extraordinary, emphasizing the collective joy of the crowd singing along to classics like “Hey Jude.” In today’s climate of frequently unsettling news, he found the positive atmosphere at Glastonbury uplifting, celebrating the successful execution of the event.
