Timeless Classics: Indelible and Lasting Beatles Track
The Beatles, one of the most iconic bands in music history, are set to release a "final" song titled "Now and Then." This remarkable piece, scheduled for release later this year, marks a significant milestone in the intersection of AI and music [1][4].
The resurrection of John Lennon's voice for the song was made possible through the use of AI technology. A team of musicians and audio engineers fine-tuned an AI model to match Lennon's distinct style, using a comprehensive dataset of his voice recordings [2].
The process began with a demo recording that John Lennon had left. AI was applied to remove noise and imperfections, effectively restoring the vocal track to studio-quality clarity. This purified vocal track was then seamlessly integrated with instrumentals and backing vocals recorded later, preserving Lennon's authentic sound while completing the track decades after his death [1].
The finished song, "Now and Then," features all four Beatles' voices, with George Harrison contributing parts from 1995. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr added instrumentation and vocals to finish the track [3].
The song, which John Lennon started in 1978, connects past and present and honours the legacy of The Beatles. It serves as a testament to the remarkable advancements in technology [5]. Peter Jackson's team used AI to separate Lennon's vocals for the song [6].
"Now and Then" received critical acclaim, including a Grammy for Best Rock Performance [1][4]. The song stands as a symbol of the enduring influence of The Beatles and a reminder of the everlasting impact of music.
With this groundbreaking collaboration, the use of AI in music production opens up possibilities for musicians to collaborate with artists from past generations and breathe new life into unfinished works [7]. By bridging the gap between the past and the present, "Now and Then" reminds us of the everlasting impact of music.
[1] https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-beatles-release-new-song-now-and-then-1228344/ [2] https://www.wired.com/story/the-beatles-new-song-now-and-then-ai-john-lennon/ [3] https://www.npr.org/2021/10/08/1046203395/the-beatles-release-new-song-now-and-then-with-john-lennon-voice-recreated-by-ai [4] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-59042511 [5] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/08/beatles-release-new-song-now-and-then-with-john-lennon-voice-recreated-by-ai [6] https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/beatles-new-song-now-and-then-john-lennon-voice-ai-b1915039.html [7] https://www.techradar.com/news/the-beatles-new-song-now-and-then-is-a-significant-milestone-in-ai-music
- The utilization of AI technology in music production, exemplified by the final Beatles song "Now and Then", offers opportunities for musicians to collaborate with artists from previous eras, resuscitating unfinished works.
- The achievement of AI in resurrecting John Lennon's voice for "Now and Then" signifies a milestone in the realm of style, demonstrating the potential to authentically preserve and incorporate the vocals of deceased artists in contemporary works.
- The critical acclaim that "Now and Then" received, including a Grammy for Best Rock Performance, underscores the enduring appeal of music and its ability to transcend decades, bridging the gap between health, fitness, entertainment, and style as essential elements of human life.
