Now and then: How Technology Helped The Beatles Complete Their Final Song
The backstory is both touching and straightforward: ‘Now and Then’ was originally a piano demo created by Lennon shortly before his tragic passing in 1980. The quality of the recording left much to be desired, making it difficult for the remaining Beatles to extract John’s voice from the mix.
As the band members recall in a touching short film documenting the song’s creation, the audio quality was less than ideal. But in 2022, during their collaboration with filmmaker Peter Jackson on the documentary ‘Get Back,’ modern audio processing technology came to the rescue. Jackson and his team applied advanced audio processing techniques to archival footage, isolating individual instruments and voices. This process led to the development of a technology named MAL (Machine-Assisted Separation), which harnesses machine learning to split audio tracks into separate components.
The Beatles are known for their innovative music, which evolved over the years from early rock ‘n’ roll to experimental and psychedelic sounds. Their albums, such as “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Abbey Road,” are considered classics. Some of their most famous songs include “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” “Yesterday,” and “A Hard Day’s Night.”
The band’s impact on music, culture, and fashion during the 1960s, often referred to as “Beatlemania,” was significant. The Beatles disbanded in 1970, and each member pursued solo careers. John Lennon was tragically assassinated in 1980. The surviving members continued to make music individually.
The Beatles’ music continues to be celebrated and loved by generations of fans, and their legacy in the world of music remains enduring and influential.
Machine learning models, such as MAL, have made significant strides in audio isolation in recent years. They can be trained to identify specific sounds, like guitar chords or human voices, and separate them from mixed tracks effectively. Similar technology is now commonly used in video calls to suppress background noise, creating clearer audio for speakers.
In the case of Lennon’s demo, this technology was a game-changer. It allowed the team to extract John’s voice, a moment captured in the making of a short film.
The decision to use John Lennon’s voice has sparked ethical discussions, but everyone involved believes that John would have supported the endeavor, given his fondness for technology and the original intention behind the song.
However, beyond the technology, this project brought a sense of closure to the band. The Beatles endured numerous challenges and triumphs throughout their careers, but losing a longtime friend and creative partner in such a tragic manner left a lingering loose end. This technology allowed them to tie that loose end and cherish John’s voice.
In the words of George Harrison, ‘To hear John’s voice… that’s a thing we should cherish.’ With a quarter-century of technological advancements, The Beatles could do just that.
Ringo Starr summed it up beautifully: ‘It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room.’
You can listen to ‘Now And Then‘ and experience this poignant moment for yourself.”
