Do we actually NEED the last Beatles song? 

my fave thing about this song is somewhere, this is someone's gateway into the Beatles.

Thank you for exposing such an unknown indie band like The Beatles.

If John's last words to Paul really were 'think of me now and then old friend' - Paul must've felt full circle releasing this

Lovely outro

If that's your voice at the very end, then let me say this! You've got a very lovely voice.

This song more than anything proves there is no bigger fan of the Beatles than Paul McCartney! Despite the man owing the world absolutely nothing, he spent nearly 30 years trying to bring this song to life. You can nitpick the small details of the track, but what an amazing gift he has given us once again. I couldn’t help listening to this song, and thinking about what is happening in the world at the moment. And I was reminded that despite that vision of the world that the Beatles embodied not being reached, we can still hope for it. That dream doesn’t end. And even though now and then we’re reminded how much we miss them, they are always there for us with their music.

My father in law passed away just over a year ago, he was a huge Beatles fan, we went to his grave last week and had a moment to play the song there. I’d like to think if there’s somewhere we all go, he heard it in some way. ‘Now and then, I miss you’ just kills me every time. With social media where it is now, The Beatles matter more now than they ever have and it’s wonderful to see this song connect with so many People……..

I think the use of AI in restoration is one of the only uses of AI that has INTRINSIC artistic value. As appealing and nostalgic as tape's imperfections can be, it's absolutely incredible we're reaching an era where we can remix mono recordings or make vhs recordings look brand new, and it'll go a long way towards more people realizing the past wasn't as different as dated media can sometimes make it look. I made a ton of audio tape "movies" with my friends when I was a kid, and if I had the ability to separate the vocal tracks from background clicks and hums, I might actually be able to do something with them instead of them just existing as childhood artifacts. Or the ability to take parts of songs from different eras and blend them seamlessly. Very exciting stuff, really anticipating it being publicly available.

Mr. The Snare has a good singing voice!

I really hope this is, in fact, the last Beatles song. Peter Jackson recently said that working on other old Beatles/solo demos and turning them into full-fledged tracks to be released could be feasible, which isn’t great imo. While I really do like Now and Then, it wasn’t entirely necessary (though I’m glad it exists). So I think having even more “new” Beatles songs would do nothing for the band’s legacy. Their ‘60s catalogue speaks for itself.

Thoughts about the AI in this song, it's not AI, it's fancy vocal filtering. IMO the term AI was used here to draw up media attention and hype

Kind of insane to see the release of a beatles song in 2023.

Really loved hearing Mic sing the chorus at the end. Actually made me smile.

I had that same overwhelming emotion a few years ago when ABBA released that new record. My mom was a huge ABBA fan. They broke up the year I was born so my first music memories came from them. We always hoped we would see a reunion at some point. My mom passed away in 2006. When they released the new music a few years ago I cried cause it was incredibly exciting and then the realization that my mother wasn't here for it just broke me.

That bassline tbh just reminds me of Don’t Look Back in Anger, which means it was probably in some Beatles song at some point 😂

Is that a genuine Mic Beatles vocal cover at the end (sounds like someone was in a choir)…TOP NOTCH STUFF!

I think that "little part with the guitar" you're referring to here: 6:55 is the beginning of the solo from the album version of let it be. Hope that helps!

the cover art actually matches the building in their first album cover

Now and Then had an emotional response from me by accident. I first heard this song recently, not when it was released, and then my grandma died. And no, she wasn't a fan of the Beatles, she didn't care about them. She was a 98yo woman from Brazil, what she really listened to was very old Brazilian music from times before the Beatles, so they didn't even have an influence on the type of music she liked. But the timing I heard the song and her death matched, and the song is about longing for someone. It was completely accidental, but this song makes me sad in a good way.

I don't think it's a question of whether we 'need it' - Paul and Ringo are musicians and releasing music is what they do. This was a decades long passion project for Paul and a beautiful tribute to his lost musical brothers. The song has a wonderful melody with a classic Lennon chord progression - I've loved the demo for 15 years and love the final track just as much, it offers us all a fascinating glimpse of how Paul can still take inspiration from John's writing and come up with fantastic bass, string and guitar parts and Ringo is excellent as always. A touching finale for the group!

That point of hearing this song while loved ones, who experienced the Beatles in their prime, cannot due to passing away Hit me like a truck tbh

My mother loved the Beatles. She didn't make it to hear this one. I think she would have loved it.

Ok your comment about loved ones not being able to hear this hit me HARD because it reminded me of all the stories my grandma would tell me of Elvis and Beatlemania. And she passed in 2019. But I think that's what's so special about music. It transcends human lives and will likely transcend humanity altogether when the AI robots take over. As someone relatively new to The Beatles (thanks to your fantastic DDD), I'm really excited to dig deeper into the band's history and piece together the context of this song amongst the others. Thank you for yet another brilliantly articulated perspective! Long live the fab 4 😊

I think of this song the way I think of a post script at the end of a long letter from a loved one. Not really necessary to the greater story, and only notable as a footnote in the grand scheme of things, but it's still an appreciated gesture, and something I'll always treasure, as it always feels like a last little gift meant solely for you to read apart from everything else. It's like the story of the Beatles was one long illustrious love letter, and also a story of friendship and hope and experimentation and looking forward to a brighter day, and then, just as you've finished reading their goodbyes, you see a little note at the bottom. P.S., Now and then, I miss you. And that's all it really needs to be. Come to think of it, this video is also a perfect postscript to the Beatles DDD, one last little observation before finally, completely, closing the book on the Beatles, for good.

The latter part of the video made me burst into tears. My grandmother passed 2 years ago, and she was a huge Beatles fan when she was young. Three years ago I bought a family spotify subscription for us, and I helped her save so many songs - a lot of which were from The Beatles. I remember that moment every so often. She would have loved this song. It would have made her cry, too. Lovely video as always. ❤

Nice to see this underground indie band hit #7 in the charts.

Can’t wait to hear more from this hot new band!

8:47 You didn't have to go this hard on this. Made me cry again lol. This is exactly what I was thinking about during my first listen of Now and Then, and I was ugly crying even harder thinking of my Dad

im such a non beatles person i thought the outro was the voice recording of John singing and didnt hear it was Mic until reading the comments. Good job Mr. Snare. Singing chops like Lennon himself

I work in a bar that does open mic nights once a month, and while most of the clientele are over 50 and huge Beatle fans, it’s been very refreshing to notice how many young people-late teens and early 20’s-come in and play many Beatles songs for their open mic sets. I was only 3 years old when John Lennon passed, so I wasn’t around for Beatle Mania but I was obsessed with their music growing up, as a band and as solo artists. I thought the Beatles were before my time, but this new song reminds all of us that their music was timeless and many generations of music fans will still find themselves discovering and loving their music. I appreciate your commentary on this song and your sharing your experience with passed loved ones who shared in your love of their music.

Wow this band is definitely going to go places with that song. Wishing them all the best in their future.

My Aunt was alive during beatlemania, she was a Paul Fanboy lol. She passed away in February and it feels weird listening to a beatle song without her here, and the fact the song is about missing someone makes it harder for me to listen to it. I love the final 3 beatle Songs, I feel that Real Love was the final Beatles song and Now and then is the perfect Epilogue. Now and then I miss you My aunt Norma, we'll meet again someday

My grandma was the one who got me into the Beatles. I remember when I was around 3 or 4 when my parents would go to work they would drop me off and I vividly remember hearing taxman for the first time and, even though I was 4, it blew my mind. I now have a music catalog of hundreds of artists and if she didn't show me those albums, I don't think I'd be in the same place. She passed a couple years back and when I heard this track I felt what you described. It's not necessarily a deep song but its place in history and time is immaculate. I also like what my grampa said about the track that this is not a Beatles song, it's a song by Paul, George, Ringo, and John.

Being around for a new Beatles song, felt like an out of body experience for me. Definitely really enjoyed it especially the strings. Beautiful singing on the as well.

5:56 I had the EXACT same feeling and even felt that it was from You Never Give Me Your Money as well, but my mind went to the part at 1:06 of the song. So yeah you are definitely not alone

5:56 it's the phrase of don't let me down after the 3rd note, in other key (don't let me down is in E while that part is in G)

Honestly I think finding out that the Beatles were lobsters stacked on top of one another would add to making their legacy more immortal.

I love Now and Then! So nice to hear a new single from a small up-and-coming group.

This actually hits me hard. My mom’s friend is a huge Beatle Fan. And he is the one who bought my anthology book by the Beatles. Now he passed away like 2 years ago. We would have chat this if he is still alive.

At the risk of hyperbole, I genuinely wasn't prepared for how hard this track hit me. Like, I went in with managed expectations (the AI of it all, the context of "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love," etc.) but it still all melted away as soon as John's voice kicked in. And for all the reasons mentioned here. Obviously the Beatles' legacy is set, but if anything this release makes for a lovely epilogue. We didn't need it, but I am so glad that we have it.

I’m so glad that this song come out! I first heard Free As A Bird and Real Love a few years ago, and I was always bummed that this one never got released, so it makes me happy to see them finally be able to finish it. One other thing I find neat is that (as you mentioned in your DDD on them) the Beatles can kind of be used to track developments in music and musical recording, and this song (for better or worse) continues that trend with it using AI. btw, you KILLED it on that outro omg

Aww. The ending was pretty, wouldn’t mind hearing you sing more!

Was JUST bingwatching DDD, and now we get to talk about some guys' musical legacy for once. It's switch-ups like these that are quite nice every Now and Then.

I think the guitar part may be from the intro of Don't let me down? I might be wrong and just being blinded by the tone.

Yeah my dad. He died in 2019. He was a huge Beatles fan. The first thing I thought was "it sucks that he's not here to listen to it with."

The drum part you were talking about is from Carry That Weight

First time commenting in one of your videos, but this genuinely might be your best video so far. Beautiful, honest, funny and tear jerkung. Thank you for bringing me joy in what has been a very bad day.❤

i love it, the only problems are the lyric, i will love you, in the original tape it sounds like john says i will lose you, which makes more sense in the context of the song i wish the original prechorus was there though, that was my favorite part

This was a beautiful video, probably the best analysis of Now and Then that l've seen so far. The humour was also spot on. Finally, the guitar bit that you can't quite place sounds to me similar to Oasis' Don't Look Back In Anger!

Your singing at the end was fantastic! I’d love to see you do some covers of something!

the guitar part that you talked about at 5:56 reminded me of "don't let me down"! I had the same thoughts as you about how they used some familiar parts and had to stew stuck on where it was from for days

I don't wanna lose you isn't removed entirely. The melodic line of this section is played on piano by Paul in the instrumental break towards the end.

I actually cried watching this video, thank you, Mic!

For a lot of us this song was much needed during a time of such turmoil, darkness and chaos. It feels like this influential band's final gift to all of us. So I would say yes, we needed this song now, and I am grateful for it.

im 42, ive been a beatles fan my whole life thanks to my mother... i was super happy that they released a new one.

This song has made a special place in my heart. It actually took a few listens, but I think once the expectations of "New Beatles Song" melted away, it just turned into such a lovely piece of their catalog and is so beautiful. I get really upset when I see people bashing the song because of the misinformation about it. Or, in one instance, someone complaining about a misprint of their record where the label was off center, calling it "the robot record". A: it's not a robot song, and B: misprints are collector's items, dog. That shit is special. But at the end of the day, I think Paul heard a love song John wrote and realized it was how he felt about John while he was alive, how he felt about The Beatles when they were all still alive, and how he feels about John and George (and, lest we forget, The Lovely Linda) now. It's a Beatles song. And that's all you need.

Another great video. Thanks for all the great commentary - this one made me emotional

5:56 it’s the opening guitar line to let it be’s solo

Glad The Beatles are still influential! I enjoy Now and Them a lot.

the true Beatles sendoff is and always has been Abbey Road, and it's an absolutely perfect sendoff Now and Then, along w Free As a Bird and Real Love (Real Love being the strongest of the 3) are fun, neat notes in the epilogue of the group. I'm glad we have them, I prefer to have them than to not, and they in no way tarnish or undo the legacy of the band. cheers ✌

This is really lovely, and I had some of the same thoughts, including the album cover looking a bit dingy! I think there are two things to think about - is it a good song, and does it 'need to' exist? As for one, I think yes. And that surprised me a bit! I LOVE the Beatles. I grew up listening them (I was born in 82 so they are already before my time), sometimes obsessively at certain points in my life. But I still figured this would be a kind of nice curiosity/novelty. I enjoy hearing demos and alternate takes as a kind of window into the creative process or a little treat, but sometimes things don't get released because they're just not great. But I was truly surprised at how hard it hit me. The second I heard John's voice it was like I was just transported and I couldn't believe I was getting to hear something NEW from him. And then once Paul (sounding a little older) kicked in on the chorus, I was just gone. I really did find the song and its melody to be a poignant little piece, and it stayed in my head for several days. As for if it 'needs' to exist, sometimes I think it's an interesting question. I doubt Paul and Ringo are doing it because they want the money or attention. My general impression after watching a few interviews/the documentary is that this was really mostly for Paul (and Ringo) - I get the impression this unfinished song has always been hanging over him, and I really felt like in some ways it was a part of his own grieving process; a way to jump at the chance to write one more song with a beloved friend, across time and space. I can't blame him for wanting to do that. I also do wonder what John or George might have really wanted, or what might have been different; it's not a true Beatles song in the sense that it wasn't actively collaborated on. But it's pretty close. What you said about lost loved ones hits kind of hard - I had a very good friend during my later high school/college years who was a little older than me, and was also really into the Beatles (in fact, she played George's part in a tribute band). She passed away when I was in college (in a somewhat freaky coincidence, she also had brain cancer) and so I always think of her when I think about anything Beatles related.

Been a big fan since I discovered this channel, one of the first channels in all my years as a viewer that has consistently made me laugh! This video is also such a good microcosm of why I'm such a fan. Great jokes that made chuckle and genuine sincere moments that made me tear up all in under 11 minutes. Love the channel! ❤

This song is what took me to the edge and made me a full Beatles fan

Your videos are great. I don't often comment, but your insight/commentary goes above and beyond most RU-vidrs out there, so thank you.

I don't know if we really needed it, but Paul and Ringo do. For the whole world, one more song from the Beatles does not change anything of their magic legacy. They have changed the music and everything else around it. This is settled on already, and nothing will ever change that. For whole world the Beatles will be ethernal... except for two men: Paul and Ringo. For them two, the Beatles will soon disappear forever. So for this moment in time they celebrated themselves and their lost friends, they tried to be the Beatles again, one last time and say goodbye. I love imagining they closed their eyes and sang again 'I want to hold your hand'. If you have a drop of beauty in your heart 'Now and Then' is perfect.

Mr. Snare, another job very well done. I was unaware of this until your video. Thank you. I understand and relate to your feelings in regards to those passed. Because I had a son who came in the kitchen one Saturday morning looking forlorn. "Why didn't you take me to the Rush concert last night? You know I like them" the 10(11?) year old said. "I'm sorry, son. But look, if they tour again we will be going!" And they came 4 or 5 times more! Spencer and I went to each tour Rush did; sometimes with his brother and sister(s). It was mainly just us two. What a connection we shared! His friend was teaching him guitar frets and such in the garage I saw as I went through one day. A couple weeks I witnessed the same scene only now learning chords and the like. just a few weeks later he would just walk around the house taking requests and playing them wonderfully on his new guitar, like we were in a Macayo's restaurant. We were all amazed at his skill! (I can't even play air-guitar!) Sadly, he was killed on his way home from work. Less than a mile from home. It's been 8 years and I'm only beginning to be able to play Rush again.

Really well done. Thanks

Yes, the guitar bit sounds familiar - it's the Traveling Wilbury's, like the entire bridge. Their last song, too, it seems.

Ooof that outro. Beautiful!

I just love this channel!!!

Thanks...I was all set to watch some desiccated snark about this lovely song (ala Peter Baker from the Ny Times), but no, you got it so right. It is an emotionally cathartic song, and many people I know wept when watching the video. I only differ on the bridge. That bridge is glorious and a wonderful detour that makes the return that much more effective. I think the reason it was left out may well have been not just lyrics that cast a less than flattering light on John (by John, always honest about himself). The most likely reason is that the bridge makes it crystal clear the song was about Yoko, perhaps, based on the harmonies, written while he and she were separated from early 1973 to late 1974 (give or take). With that bridge removed the song becomes more universal and can easily be about the fractured friendship between John and Paul. Either way, the video is pitch perfect, and of course, Beatlephiles know that the main footage of John and George was from Magical Mystery Tour. In fact, this fun outtake goof off on Hello Goodbye. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eCrDvU6F2-E.htmlsi=KPqJw1nq4-T3ghDJ

Yes... We needed this.... It gives US closure and most IMPORTIANT.. HEALING for Paul and Ringo.....

Great content as always.

Please make a full conversation of Now and Then cause GEEZ that sounded great.

It's not about if we need it or not. Paul McCartney always wanted to release it

The fact is every song they ever wrote could of been a hit had they released them all as singles. They did not believe in writing crappy songs as filler to fill up an album. I have a stockpile of unreleased Beatles material that would interesting to hear as completed songs.

That Am to G major sounds great.

As a fan of the Beatles DDD I’m excited to watch this

Your comment about having someone in your mind that reminds you at least of one beatles song is definitely real, I personally have several beatles songs that put me to tears till this day

I'm just glad to hear somebody else say out loud that the cassette should've been used as the single cover. I haven't stopped thinking that ever since it was pointed out to me how not-good what we got was.

a few things. firstly, great video, mic you need to sing more you sound absolutely amazing. secondly, i'm not too big of a beatles fan but i was raised on a good chunk of their biggest songs thanks to my father. this is a wonderful send off to the beatles' career, and a great tribute to john & george. i do hope this ends up being the final song released by them, it serves as a a reminder that they will be remembered for years to come. their impact is undeniable and this song getting so big is a great example of such.

Love your commentary, man. I could listen to you read a phonebook.

That little guitar part reminded me of that one part In Don’t Let Me Down!

this was a nice video, thank you

Honestly I think the main reason they put this song out is sentimental on Paul's part, not even for the band as a whole but specifically getting closure for his complicated intense relationship with John.

Mic is that you singing in the end? If so, your voice is GORGEOUS.

The song's production is nice. If they clean up Free as a Bird and Real Love, release them in a nice package, I wouldn't mind.

We need MORE!!

i know exactly what you mean towards the end. my grandpa was a huge beatles fan and it's makes me so sad that he'll never get to hear this song. i can't help but think about him every time i listen it.

Tender song, for sure, but I just find it funny that “Now & Then”’s UK #1 peak means that The Beatles’ 2000 compilation _1_ has an new addition.

I did not expect to sob watching one of your videos ngl

Love these short videos where Mic shares his thoughts on a music related topic. Is he not doing the review round ups anymore though?

8:27 that hit me really hard but with the In utero 30th anniversary. It’s something it feels hard to talk about for that exact reason but me and my best friend were nirvana fanatics. It hurts that we have these new songs he will never get to hear. I get the song but it feels weird that I just listen to them I don’t have someone to talk about each track for hours and all the live stuff and everything. All I wanted to say Mr. Snare good video

When this song came out and I listened to it the first time I literally cried. I love it and I think it really adds something to the Beatles catalogue.

I liked the song when I first heard it. It was fine, but nothing mind blowing to me. What made me bring it up to loving it was watching the twelve minute mini-documentary about it, about how they made it and what it meant to Paul and Ringo to make it. What it meant to John’s family to hear it. That’s what makes it special.

When he said 'like drinking water' at 4:31, I instantly got an ad to donate to a water charity lmao

5:58 sounds like the beginning of dont look back in anger by oasis, right before “slip inside the eye of your mind”

The part about hearing the song while a family member who isn’t around isn’t here to hear it hit like a ton of bricks. My mom raised me on The Beatles. She was a fan ever since she was growing up in the 60s. She had the vinyls. The CDs. At one point a cardboard cut out of Paul. They were my first favorite band because they were my mom’s all time favorite band and she shared that with me. I listened to it when it came out thinking it exceeded my expectations of what a last Beatles song would be. And I enjoyed it, but I didn’t think too much on it. My mom passed away from cancer in 2017 and now I’m sobbing thinking about my mom and how I wish I could share this with her.

I think Now and Then is a really touching song. And now we have four posthumous John Lennon songs completed featuring connections or members of the Beatles, Free as A Bird, Real Love, and two versions of Grow Old With Me (One with Ringo and Paul, and another featuring Strings by George Martin). This has been a clear passion project for Paul for a while and George’s death unfortunately made him shelf it for so long. It’s really great to finally hear him complete with Ringo. I really love the addition of orchestral strings on Now and Then. It makes the song sound so much more like a Beatles song than Free As A Bird and Real Love, which sound good, but definitely have that Jeff Lynne ELO sound to them. I just hope we get a similar remix of Free As A Bird and Real Love using this MAL technology to clean up John’s vocals. Whether it be for an Anthology rerelease, remix, or expansion.

That guitarpart is the beginning of the solo for let it be mate