The Final Beatles Track: Why Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Published 'Now and Then'
The death of John Lennon in 1980 left a void in the lives of the surviving members of The Beatles. Years later, their bond with their late friend and bandmate was so strong that they decided to honor him by producing a demo of a John Lennon song for their final Beatles track, 'Now and Then.' This article delves into the reasons behind this decision and the story behind its creation.
Finishing What Was Unfinished
According to an interview with Paul McCartney in the mid-1990s during the 'Beatles Anthology' project, there was a sense of unfinished business that drove them to revisit Lennon's work. McCartney had always wanted to finish the third track that the remaining Beatle members had worked on in 1996. With John Lennon's demos like 'Free as Bird,' 'Real Love,' 'Grow Old with Me,' and 'Now and Then,' there were several pieces of the puzzle that had not been completed. These demos were a reminder of their time together, and recording with John's voice helped them feel like they were with him again.
Precedents and Technical Advances
There is precedent for similar projects in the music industry. Hank Williams Jr. sang alongside his deceased father, Hank Williams, Sr., on the song 'Tear in My Beer' in 1988, and Natalie Cole performed a virtual duet with her father, winning multiple Grammy awards. Similarly, McCartney and Starr wanted to complete the same process with Lennon's work. Technical barriers, such as a hum in the original recording of 'Grow Old with Me,' were overcome thanks to advancements in audio technology. The SuperDeluxe editions of 'Let It Be' and 'Revolver' by Peter Jackson utilized innovative techniques that improved the sound quality of Lennon's performance.
Personal and Professional Motivations
Both Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney had personal reasons for wanting to record 'Now and Then.' Ringo was particularly interested in completing 'Grow Old with Me,' which had been labeled 'For Ringo' by Lennon. He approached producer Jack Douglas to discuss the song and decided to produce a new version with Paul playing bass. McCartney has also expressed an interest in continuing work on the song, as evidenced by comments he made in 2012 about it remaining on his mind.
Paul McCartney's producer, Danny Kahne, also worked on 'Now and Then' as late as 2007, indicating ongoing collaboration. With the advances in technology, it was possible to refine the audio quality, making the finished product sound more complete and professional. Additionally, releasing 'Now and Then' could tie in with some upcoming release related to the 'Anthology' project or to promote the latest Beatles-related product.
Final Touches on a Legendary Story
By releasing 'Now and Then,' both Ringo and Paul sought to provide a fitting conclusion to their collaboration with John Lennon. Each member of the band had received songs from Yoko Ono to continue Lennon's legacy, and now they had the opportunity to close the chapter on these 'Beatles Anthology' projects. This track serves both as tribute to John and George Harrison, and as a final touch on one of the greatest musical stories of the 20th century. It also allows them to control the final form of the song, ensuring it reflects their vision.
As the recording of 'Now and Then' progresses, fans of The Beatles are eagerly waiting for the final version to be released. The unfinished state of the demos offers a unique glimpse into the creative process, and the finished track promises to be a poignant addition to the legacy of The Beatles.