In a remarkable turn of events, The Beatles have secured their first UK number one single in 54 years with the release of “Now And Then.” Paul McCartney expressed the significance, calling it “a very emotional moment.”
AI played a crucial role in isolating late member John Lennon’s vocals from a 1978 recording, merging them with old session tracks and contributions from McCartney and Ringo Starr. The result is a reunion of the iconic band for a final time.
The Official Charts Company confirmed the song’s ascent to number one, marking The Beatles’ longest gap between chart-toppers and the longest time span between an artist’s first and last number one hit.
McCartney, at 81, expressed his astonishment, stating, “It’s mind-boggling. It’s blown my socks off. It’s also a very emotional moment for me. I love it!”
Despite mixed reviews from critics, “Now And Then” emerged as the fastest-selling single of the year and achieved the highest one-week physical sales in almost a decade.
Martin Talbot, CEO of the Official Charts Company, declared that the sales indicate the return of “Beatlemania,” dispelling any doubts about The Beatles’ status as the greatest band of all time.
The demo tape, a gift from Yoko Ono to McCartney in 1994, became the foundation for “Now And Then.” While previous attempts to work on the song were abandoned due to technical challenges, the surviving Beatles successfully completed it last year, adding a significant chapter to their storied career.
