I think Ringo's drumming is what makes it into a Beatles song. He still has this magical ability of playing a simple 4/4 beat with this unmistakable Beatles feel.

John singing “ and I..” and Paul finishing it with “will love you” is just so touching.

They are not releasing a new John Lennon song... so to me it's like John bringing a song into the studio and the boys all working on it, and I love that.

The new part they added is in tribute to George, a guitar solo written by Paul but in the way George would do it. Fits perfectly

I think the 3/4 change at the end is very poetic. Throughout the song, you're hearing all the Beatles, and then after Lennon stops singing, we lose a beat.

John's original version is so unique and ethereal, I love it.

As a devoted Beatles fan who always hoped they would get back together, when John was murdered it was the realisation that that would never happen. Then with George passing too it was heartbreaking. When I heard this song and saw the video I cried - it had happened, the Beatles together again. It touched my heart. From when I was 13 years of age, the Beatles were my life and now here I am at 73 listening to a 'new' Beatles record. I can't explain just how that makes me feel, I'm crying again now just typing this. Thank you Paul and Ringo for finishing this record for us. The Beatles together again - thank you.

John and Paul, writing together, while still apart. A perfect ending tribute the the band I’ve loved since I was ten!

"I don't wanna lose you" was always the part of John's demo that would pop into my head whenever I would think of this song. I kept waiting for it on first listen & it never came.

Such a shame about the cut “I don’t want to lose you” section. Those chord changes and melody’s were gorgeous

To hear them together one last time means the world to me.

I was a teenager when the Beatles came on the Ed Sullivan show and took over the US. Hearing these videos of their 'final' song brings back memories beyond memories. I'm so very glad Paul and Ringo, as well as who knows how many other talented people, made this happen for all of us. THANK YOU

I spent the whole song waiting for the “I don’t want to lose you” section, which I think was far more beautiful and interesting than the chorus we got. If it was up to me, I’d have used “I don’t want to lose you” as the chorus, and ditched the “now and then I miss you” section. But I’m not in the Beatles, so it’s not up to me. It’s up to Paul McCartney. And I imagine the lyrics “now and then I miss you” might have been quite meaningful for him. And they work very well in the context of this song in 2023.

Was a Lennon. We got a Lennon McCartney. McCartney changes to Lennon songs made the most successful songwriting configuration ever. Paul has committed no sin. Made me cry more than once already.

like i said before hearing johns vocals from then and pauls vocals from now just adds an extra artistic meaning to what is now and then, it was beautifully done

Paul is a Master and the final version is gold. If anyone knows how it should be finished it's Paul who composed with John.

To me, even though Paul and Ringo changed a little of the song and the tempo, it's like when the Beatles were in the 60's, John would try something and Paul would add something to it, just as John would add something to Paul's song. It's John and Paul working with each other again. I love the new Beatles song!! ❤

The changes is what makes it a Beatles song, otherwise it would just be a John's song. It's very common for them to build upon each other original ideas and take parts out in their final compositions. I was very pleasantly surprised, it's catchy, it's sentimental and not overly complicated just for the sake of it.

Frankly, this song and ultimately the stunning production, has for me, brought alive the Beatles' magic once again. I love it.

For me, it’s about as perfect as it can get, I adore it, it feels like the Beatles. It’s more poignant than anything I’ve heard maybe ever… I would appreciate having a scaled down version or part where I could just hear John and his piano bc there’s something about how isolated those two elements are in johns demo that just reaches down into my soul but all in all it’s one of the most precious pieces of music I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing/witnessing in my life and I’m incredibly grateful for it.

I absolutely love the lyrics and what they've come to mean because of the release of the song, it's like they're saying goodbye to each other across the times. It's so meaningful in so many ways

I am so glad they didn't add in a bunch of extra stuff. It just sounds like a really good Beatles song, and not as much like a finale piece from a musical where they try to sneak in a piece of every song. I feel like this was as close to the original writing process as they could have gotten and I'm here for it

I loved every single second of it, how good is it to hear new Beatles material after all this time, it’s like finding a lost song that they’d written but never recorded from then, loved it and something to treasure, brought happy tears to my eyes ❤

I love it and I'm so thankful for it. An unexpected gift, none of us ever thought we'd receive.

John demo is so heart touching...i wished they would release that as a b side

Even though I love the melody of the "I dont want to lose you" section, I understand why they cut it. If Paul wasnt feeling comfortable with doing the lead vocals on a section (worried he sounds too told, worried that would be a step too far towards turning a Lennon song into a McCartney song, etc) they would have to use what few intelligable lyrics John had there, and those lyrics don't particularly work with the current meaning of the song. They could have adapted it into an instrumental section, but that would be changing it so substantially that what remains is little more than an easter egg for hardcore fans. We're inclined to take every note John wrote as immaculate and sacred, but to him (and the rest of the Beatles), it was a work in progress with no obligation to leave anything untouched.

the ways demos evolve in the studio is always fascinating - thanks for taking this analysis on!

David I just have to say a big thanks for setting out the changes in such detail. It was utterly fascinating as some of this may otherwise go unnoticed by many including me.

I had no problems with the Beatles version of the song. It was deeply moving. The demo version is also very good. (Original version of my comment which is not accurate. See edit below.) John wrote on the cassette tape “For Paul” (which Yoko gave to Paul). John knew that Paul would eventually give his input about those songs. (Edit; it has correctly been pointed out to me that officially it is unknown, whether John wrote the cassette label or whether it was written by Yoko.) There are multiple choices pulling at Paul, Ringo and Giles to be true to the demo but also to incorporate new things. I think the balance was right for a Beatles song which is still clearly written by John.

I liked it quite a bit, but I agree they played it safe, it left out a lot of possibilities and a lot of potential experimentation, but overall very heartfelt and sweet. I would love if they had made a remaster of the demo itself, just John's voice and piano as like a little bonus track, it'd be a nice way to honor it by giving it too us in its most clean and pure version.

We are very lucky to hear this new recording, and the inputs from Paul, George & Ringo, plus the strings, enhance it for me. Thank you Paul for your perseverance in delivering Now & Then. I never thought I would hear it completed, in my lifetime. Fab.

that i dont want to lose you part is fantastic . feels so raw and emotional. i wish they kept that

Its grown on me as I've listened to it more and more. I do really like it and hearing John sing "I miss you" across time gets me right in the heart. While I think it could've been "weirder" I think its a poignant end that pays tribute to both John and George

I feel grateful that we have this song. It makes me happy to know that a Beatles single was released during my lifetime. I was very young when "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love" came out, so I wasn't really aware of what was happening. But now, I can truly appreciate the magical moment.

Mate you’ve just saved me a tonne of work, I intended on doing a video on exactly this subject and due to gigging non-stop the past 3 days had no chance in starting. Great stuff, in particular I like your use of visual demonstrations 👍

This is a great service you’ve done, answered all my questions and made me appreciate it more

I listened to the original song earlier in the week and thought that it was too post Beatles John Lennon sounding to work as a Beatles song, but I think that speeding it up and removing the pre chorus was the only way to turn it into a Beatles song. I also love the new bridge part. Before I heard the new version I was worried, but I am very happy with the final version and it does grow on you. Personally, I would love them to clean up John’s voice on ‘Free as a bird’ now.

I love that they changed some things up. It makes it a true Beatles song, not just a John Lennon song. What a song and what a music video!

I found your video very interesting, having listened to the final version of Now and Then a number of times. Understanding the creative decisions they made to produce the song in it's current form makes it even more meaningful to me. Thank you!

I think they removed the “I don’t want to lose you” section for several reasons, let me count em down: 1) Paul McCartney - Back during the Anthology recordings, Paul wanted Lennon's demos turned into Beatles songs to be upbeat and strictly about the theme of love. That's how he looks back and thinks about the Beatles. He says this in the Beatles Anthology at the end of the series: "I'm really glad that most of the songs dealt with love, peace, understanding". I think he heard the pre-chorus with "use you and abuse you" and thought it was too downbeat and somber. He also simplified it because the Beatles were experts in verse, chorus, verse, chorus. The added new bridge is also similar to what they did with "Real Love" 2) Geroge Harrison - During the Anthology recordings, George was fond of "Real Love" and "Free As a Bird" but regarded "Now And Then" as "utter rubbish". For decades a lot of people thought it was because of the low-quality mains hum tape recording, and not being able to separate out John's vocals from the piano. But now I'm starting to think it was actually because George didn't like the dour parts either, and because the tempo was slower, and most likely they didn't want to adjust the pitch as they did with "Real Love". So they just said, screw it. 3) The lyrics - The words Lennon sings in the “I don’t want to lose you” section is "use you and abuse you". I'm pretty sure, given Lennon's strained relationship with his first wife Cynthia, where he was accused of physically abusing her, that maybe it was not the best line to leave in a Beatles song. With "Free As A Bird" Paul added new lyrics to replace muddled ones, but this time around he just doesn't have the vocal range. So out of convenience they probably just removed it. 4) It didn't sound "Beatle-y" enough - As I explained in my first bullet point about how McCartney felt about the Beatles' legacy, they most likely wanted the song to fall in the classic Beatles pop/rock song structure. So to do that, verse, chorus, verse, chorus was utilized. I've been listening to Lennon's "Now and Then" for the better part of the last 20 years. I love Lennon's original demo, and also love the fan edits people have made over the years. When Paul announced they were going to release it after using the AI "MAL" program, I was excited but also cautious, because I know in their older age, Paul and Ringo don't have the same passion they did for, let's say the Anthology project where they still had something to prove. Although I'm glad they released it, I do wish they spent more time on it, left in the “I don’t want to lose you” section, but just chose new lyrics to slap over it. I'm sure with AI they could have also adjusted Paul's voice to make it sound more as he did when he was in the Beatles for the new lyrics. Just my two cents.

I think these changes are fine because this is a Beatles a version of a John Lenon demo. They rarely came into the studio with a finished song that the other members didn't add their touches to. Though it would be nice to also have finished version of these demos in John's style.

I think the fact that we got a final Beatles song, with the 2 remaining Beatles still alive and were able to come together one last time for a song using parts they recorded from 1995 and 2022 is something magical. We can say that the Beatles got together one last time and we were all a witness to it in history.

Ahh… This breakdown is too cool, I appreciate you making this video so much. I cry every time I hear this song. The Beatles are just so special.

For me it's perfect, they did what they always did. One of them brought a song to the other 3, like i do in my band, and together they worked on it and it became a BEATLES SONG. The 'i don't want to lose you' part was nice, but they took it down a different direction, as always Paul advised John advised Paul, as it should be. Paul, finishing off his friend and writing partners song, like they always did with each-other, whilst saying goodbye. Perfect

They did a lot to evoke the feelings from older Beatles songs already. Worked really well

I kinda wish the song would start off minimal and build up over time (e.g. drums not kicking in until later), so that it would seem less like every Beatle is competing for attention at the same time. I understand that it's reasonable for a "final Beatles song" to feel grand and use everyone's potential, but it might have been cool to single out each Beatle a little more and go from quiet to massive over time. It would have worked as a "final"-feeling track, too - think A Day in The Life!

Glad I found this. The original voice+piano version is so beautiful.

That's a great bit of work, David. Thanks for the analysis.

I feel like the "I don't wanna lose you" bit could've been used as a bridge before the final verse, sorta like the "I'm in love for the first time" in Don't Let Me Down which originally was the verse in Lennon's original demo. It added an emotional urgency, which could've been the same case here

The final production is a touching tribute to their lost brothers and a technical marvel that it even exists.

One of the greatest Beatles songs to date. A legendary tribute.

Beautiful...I started playing the guitar at 12, learning Beatles songs. Thank you, Paul, Ringo and John.

As a Beatles fan, I found it very emotional and I think the song played to that. Such a lovely song and I am sure there will be fan made versions of this that will include more Beatles elements. I'm more than happy for this to be the final song.

Rick Beato speaks in his analysis of now and then about the fact that only now AI has allowed them to single out John Lennon‘s voice from the Piano track. So it‘s a 50 year old cassette recording of John’s voice, a thirty year old George Harrison Guitar Solo and a „modern“ (even AI) contribution, using current contributions of Ringo and Paul arranged by the Son of the original Beatles arranger. And I think that is what makes this song special, apart from the fact that it has some capstone touch to it (similar to Johnny Cash‘s „Hurt“).

I was looking for a video just like this. Thanks for making it. 😸

I didn't know but it is very interesting to know about that insert of other Beatle harmonies. I always find your infor and comments very thoughtful and informative.

It's bitter sweet. To hear another Beatles song but also a reminder of what we lost.

The Eleanor Rigby backing vocals are found on in the second half of both choruses and Here, There & Everywhere is found in the first half of the second chorus. All three backing vocals are found in the bridge. An easy way to distinguish the vocals are the sounds being sung. The "Oooos" come from Here, There & Everywhere. The loud and sharp "Aaahs" come from Eleanor Rigby. And the softer, more breathy "Aaahs" come from Becasue.

Fascinating analysis and great video, thank you!

I don't think I ever even listened to John's demo or at least not more than a couple of times a long time ago. So this was really fresh for me. I love it. I have listened to it multiple times a day since it came out and it still chokes me up. What a beautiful, fitting tribute. Even though it is a tribute, the lyrics also work well as a love song in general. I wouldn't complain if they made a whole album of unfinished songs from the different members of the band.

"Now and then, I miss you" is probably exactly how most Beatles fans feel when John or George cross our mind, and while it could be just put down to coincidence or people reading into it or whatever, I think it's just another example of the "magic" of The Beatles that goes beyond coincidence... I'm not religious or spiritual or anything like that, but I've always thought there was just something almost supernatural happening when those four particular people got together to make music.

Beatles always loved changing time in their records. I mean, John would have approved

At about 2:37 in the song, during the new bridge/solo section, very subtly in the mix, a piano plays the "I don't want to lose you" melody from the demo pre-chorus.

Thanks for this awesome post. It brought chills to me the first time I heard Now and Then and it still does. I was lucky enough to be around to hear new Beatles songs when they were first released in the 60s. I have a very clear memory of hearing A Day In The Life for the first time and being completely blown away. I think it is very cool that everybody living in 2024 has a chance like that to hear a new Beatles song for the first time.

David, don't you think the chord progression during the solo is actually adapted from the "bridge"? Although it's transposed to C, the first ten bars follow the identical progression of ii-I-ii-I-iii. From here, there are some McCartney-esque modulations, but the progression eventually lands as well on the same concluding chord. If you listen carefully, you can also hear nods to the bridge's melody in the string section - for example, try to catch "I don't want to lose you" around the 2:38 mark.

The Beatles frequently changed the tempo of the way their songs were originally written. What they did with Now and Then makes it a beautiful Beatles song.

The 3/4 move in the end is used in so many Beatles songs so for me it Feels soothing to end it all with that❤

Excellent breakdown, David!

I think they tried to preserve some of John's original vision while updating it to a contemporary sound. I'm not too bothered by whatever choices they made, because I wasn't expecting vintage Beatles; just a respectful tribute to their lost brother and a final goodbye to the world.

The “I don’t want to lose you” pulls the verse forward from a fateful melancholy to a an actionable plea both in chord structure and words. The new bridge is great but this pre chorus should have been used at least once. I'm walking around humming the song and I automatically go into the “I don’t want to lose you” even though I've already heard the new version more than the demo. When A.I. improves enough an new extended cut is in order at around the 3:33 mark then the outro as it is.

Now and then I miss you..the delivery of that gives me goosebumps it's easily the most beautiful part of the song.

I think the new version is brilliant with the more upbeat tempo just the right pace, the changes in key so rich and varied contributing to the mood with its intermittent reference to the pain of loss contrasting with the gratitude of something gained, the familiar strong Ringo beat on the drums keeping it moving, the varied texture of the different instruments giving it depth, but above all else, the clear sound of John's beautiful voice brought back to life, reminding us of that wonderful Beatles sound. I was living in Liverpool the year that the Beatles split up and it's incredible to hear that unique sound once again over half a century later. Well done, the Beatles!

The craziest thing of all is that the song was originally called I Don't Wanna Lose You, and that was just the section they took out. It is even said that one of the reasons George didn't want to finish it was because Paul wanted to rebuild it. In addition to everything, on the cassettes where John recorded the demos he said "to Paul". This is very strange. In my opinion, the arrangement was quite simple and far from as artistic and creative as Free as a Bird was, for example.

I have a feeling that the pre-chorus was what bogged down the surviving 3 back in '95/'96, to where they could have thought it would be more trouble than it's worth.

Thank you! Great insights. I'm glad to learn the differences between John's ode to Yoko (presumed) and the more open to interpretation longing for Beatles.

This is fascinating. Thanks for posting this

Is it really that difficult to comprehend why Paul felt the tempo needed to be increased just a bit? It was the perfect production decision, especially when considering what they composed for the arrangement. Drums, bass, rhythm guitars, orchestra, vocal harmonies... when you put all those components together it is a no-brainer that the tempo needed to be just a bit faster in order to give the needed energy for it to work with that style of arrangement. The whole point was that the song needed to represent the *Beatles* as an ensemble and not John Lennon as the solo performer and I think it was absolutely pitch perfect. So, so happy Paul and Ringo decided to gift the world with one last timeless treasure.

Thank you!! You are music knowledgeable and clever.... I know little of music, but I have loved the Beatles the major part of my life, I am 73. I can't but to be greteful and happy for this happening....

Thanks for this GREAT video, you are spot on and you are a master of explaining music making. I'd love to see you do several more videos on other Beatles music.. I have to check out your other videos because I am way impressed with your knowledge and abilities.

i think they didn't like the lyric "abuse you" that's why they scrapped the whole section

An absolutely incredible analysis between the demo and the final version of the song!

Amazing breakdown, thank you 💪🏼

Great job ! even if I do not have your knowledge in music, it helps me understanding why I found the demo more poetic and with more feeling than the final release. Merci beaucoup !

Glad someone made a video about the lost pre-chorus and tempo!! The pre-chorus tied the song together better.

I think this song is brilliantly finished by the three remaining members of The Beatles. It was adapted to be a farewell ballad by them and it was the perfect tribute to John and George, and the perfect choice to end an exceptional Era. 😔 Thank you John, Paul, George and Ringo for the music. You are and will always be in our hearts. 🧡

I absolutely love that it’s been done and indeed the result. Watching this very interesting video had me in doubt, though. I agree with you that losing Lennox’s pre-chorus is a shame as elements were very haunting. I guess, being a demo, he’d intended to work more on it and therefore wouldn’t, with things being as they sadly are, feel that cutting this is more disrespectful than a more invasive repair, including adding a phrase. An alternative version would be amazing but then; no one worked more with John than Paul did and surely no one is better placed to cut, enhance and keep than he is. This song has warmed my heart immensely either way. What a gift.

I always loved the demo, and I feel like they did it justice. Having Paul and George playing acoustic on it, having all of them singing backgrounds, the arrangement of the final version. It’s fantastic in my opinion

All I know is, to take a demo by John, to the finished music video, is nothing short of amazing!

By dropping the line “ I’m losing you/I don’t want to lose you” (it’s original title) changes the fundamental meaning of the line “now and then I miss you”. He is IN a relationship but feels his partner is becoming estranged and he misses their previous intimacy which makes the lyric “now and then I miss you” a very powerful lyric. It has now become a twee past tense sentiment. All that said the “new” song is powerful and takes you on a journey.

Great analysis as always

I like it a lot. Paul and Ringo did their best, with the technology available and considering now they are half the band. Glad they released this new, last Beatle song!

I heard this first thing this morning, and I found it absolutely beautiful. I love what they did and frankly think John and George would be very pleased as well. It was the perfect opus to complete their body of work and lives. It brought me to tears. And that was far more than I expected.

I appreciate the desire to want to have more Beatles motifs present within the song like a mellotron or some sitar or brass etc (especially considering this song acts as a kind of victory lap for the band and could've been a kind of overture). But there was also definitely a danger of it just becoming a hodgepodge of too many ideas from too many songwriters writing decades apart from one another. I also understand the desire to keep the mournful tone of John's demo, and I think I prefer it over the tone of the new version, but I also think that by that point in his career John wasn't writing 'Beatles songs' anymore, and clearly they had to make an effort to make the song sound 'more Beatles' than what John had actually recorded. I think it was essentially an impossible task to make it the perfect 'final Beatles song' (most artists aren't able to give themselves a fitting send-off when all their members are alive and active in the industry!), but they did a good job with it and I will listen to 'Now and Then', um, now and then. Although I wish everything in the mix had a bit more space to breathe - it seems a bit soupy at points. Maybe we will get alternate mixes in the coming weeks/months. Who knows.

It’s great to hear John’s voice again with the other 3 Beatles. They’re still great! Technology is an amazing thing. Four amazing voices. Four amazing musicians. One great band.

Thank you David for this wonderful analysis and yes you're quite accurate in this. Glad somebody put up these comments.

One of the best things about Now and Then is the outro. Missing the first pre-chorus means we don't get the connection to All I Really Want To Do, which no doubt was intentional on John's behalf.

Love the bpm change: it's Ringo's stamp on the song! Honestly, bpm changes, dropping sections, etc. it's all those things that make it a band effort.

I had tears in my eyes when I first heard this. Couldn't agree more!

Its so good what they did as a final chapter , gracias por la explicacion

They took out the best part. That meandering pre chorus is IMHO what made the song actually work. It's as if in Lucy in the sky with diamonds they took out the "cellophane flowers" section and went straight into the chorus.