The epic story of The Beatles isn’t over just yet.
The Liverpudlian cultural icons are set to release a never-before-heard song, ‘Now and Then.’
The new song will be released worldwide at 2pm GMT on Thursday 2nd November.
‘Now and Then’ is the last Beatles song – written and sung by John Lennon, developed and worked on by Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, and now finally finished by Paul and Ringo over four decades later.
The double A-side single pairs the last Beatles song with the first: the band’s 1962 debut UK single, ‘Love Me Do,’ a truly fitting full-circle counterpart to ‘Now And Then.’
Both songs are mixed in stereo and Dolby Atmos, and the release features original cover art by renowned artist Ed Ruscha.
Paul McCartney said of the new, and final, Beatles recording:
“There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording. In 2023 to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s an exciting thing.”
Ringo Starr added: “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.”
Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John and Yoko, also spoke about the new release.
“It was incredibly touching to hear them working together after all the years that Dad had been gone. It’s the last song my dad, Paul, George and Ringo got to make together. It’s like a time capsule and all feels very meant to be,” Lennon said.
A new music video for “Now and Then” is also expected on Friday, 3rd November.
The timing couldn’t be better as this November marks the 60th of The Beatles only ever live show in Dublin. The fab four appeared at the Adelphi Cinema on Middle Abbey Street on 7th November, 1963.
To accompany the new single, a 12-minute ‘Now and Then - The Last Beatles Song’ documentary film, written and directed by Oliver Murray, will premiere on 1st November.
Watch the trailer for the mini-doc here:
The film’s global online premiere will be hosted on The Beatles’ YouTube channel at 7:30pm GMT.
The poignant short film tells the story behind the last Beatles song, with exclusive footage and commentary from Paul, Ringo, George, Sean Ono Lennon and Peter Jackson.
But wait! That’s not the only news coming out of Beatle-land today.
On 10th November, The Beatles’ 1962-1966 (‘The Red Album’) and 1967-1970 (‘The Blue Album’) collections will be released in ‘2023 Edition’ packages by Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe.
Since their first incarnations appeared 50 years ago, these albums have introduced successive generations to The Beatles’ music.
Now, both collections’ tracklists have been expanded, with all the songs mixed in true stereo and Dolby Atmos.
To preorder & pre-save ‘Now and Then’ - CLICK HERE.
