Almost half a century after their official split, The Beatles have been nominated for two Grammys for their final song, “Now and Then”. This achievement comes after the track, which was initially recorded as a demo by John Lennon in the late 1970s, was restored with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.
The song, released in November 2023, is now in the running for record of the year alongside contemporary artists such as Beyoncé, Charlie XCX, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift. It has also been nominated for best rock performance, where it competes with bands including Green Day, Pearl Jam, and The Black Keys.
The Restoration Process
The restoration of “Now and Then” has been a long time coming. The original recording, along with “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love”, was given to Lennon’s three surviving bandmates in the ‘90s, with the intention of including it in The Beatles Anthology project. However, due to technological limitations, the track was never released. The technology available at the time was unable to isolate John’s vocals and piano to produce a clear sound.
“But in 2021, filmmaker Peter Jackson and his sound team were able to separate the instrumentals and vocals with machine learning technology, allowing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to finally complete the song.”
The Role of AI in Music
Despite being completed using machine learning, “Now and Then” still aligns with The Grammy’s rules surrounding AI. The current guidelines state that only human creators are eligible for consideration for the awards. However, works that contain “elements” of AI material are eligible in applicable categories. This opens up the possibilities of using technology to restore and complete unfinished or unreleased music from the past.
The Beatles Vs. Modern-day Music
It is somewhat unusual to see “Now and Then” competing with modern-day music like Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em”. However, it is a testament to the enduring appeal of The Beatles and the power of technology to bring their music to new generations. The outcome will be revealed during the 2025 Grammy Awards, which takes place on Sunday, February 2nd.
Conclusion
- The Beatles’ final song, “Now and Then”, has been nominated for two Grammys nearly 50 years after the band officially split up.
- The song was restored with the help of AI technology, demonstrating the potential of machine learning in music production and restoration.
- The use of AI in the creation or restoration of music is now recognized by The Grammy’s rules, providing a new avenue for artists and producers to explore.
- The 2025 Grammy Awards will reveal how a song restored using AI technology fares against modern music.
Source: The Verge
