Yesterday, The Beatles released their first single since 1995’s “Free As A Bird” with “Now And Then” as part of the lead-up to Apple Corps‘ re-release of the legendary compilation albums of the band. And to drum up hype even further, here’s a music video for the new song courtesy of Peter Jackson, who did “The Beatles: Get Back” docuseries in 2021.
While John Lennon recorded a demo for “Now And Then” on his own in 1977, the other Beatles further developed it later on and considered finishing it with “Free As A Bird.” But the demos were shelved for decades until Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr completed it for its release. And “Now And Then” serves as a coda for The Beatles’ illustrious career: the song’s single pairs it with “Love Me Do,” the band’s very first single from 1962, bringing The Beatles full-circle. Both songs get mixed in stereo and Dolby Atmos® for the single.
And Jackson’s music video shares a similar culminating feel to it. The video features never-before-seen footage of The Beatles filmed by Pete Best, the original drummer of the band, as well as unseen home movie footage of George Harrison. There’s also footage of Harrison, McCartney, and Starr working together on the 1995 recording sessions of “Anthology” and new footage of McCartney and Starr performing in-studio for the new song. Jackson’s Wētā FX also provides visual effects in the music video.
But Jackson’s music video debut isn’t the only film dedicated to “Now And Then.” Earlier this week, a 12-minute short film, “Now And Then – The Last Beatles Song,” debuted on The Beatles’ YouTube channel. Oliver Murray directs the short, which tells the story behind the band’s final single, with exclusive footage of Paul, Ringo, George, Sean Ono Lennon, and Jackon.
And of course, Apple Corps’ remasters of their two wildly successful Beatles compilation albums arrive later this month. The 2023 editions of “1962-1966” (otherwise known as “The Red Album”) and “1967-1970” (“The Blue Album”) are set to release on November 10, on the fiftieth anniversary of their first release. Both collections get expanded for their new edition, with all of the songs mixed in stereo and Dolby Atmos® with new essays by journalist and author John Harris. “Love Me Do” opens “The Red Album” while “Now And Then” opens “The Blue Album.”
It’s a good time to be a Beatles fan, and Apple Corps’ new 2023 editions of their compilation albums will make great gifts this holiday season. But in the meantime, check out Jackson’s music video for “Now And Then” below, as well as Murray’s short film “Now And Then – The Last Beatles Song” below.