It's not the best Beatles song, but it's worthy. I think it's good that they have done this, nostalgia is cranked up to the max, and the video does open up the tear ducts.
It's a very good production of a fragment of a song. The fragment is very much in John's mid-seventies vein, therefore not comparable with the edgy material he wrote for the Beatles. Thanks for the realistic assessment, John. The song needs the video, which is a fine piece of work by Peter Jackson.
Paul, Ringo, with George back then, and all the technical collaborators made a highly emotional production out of a quite simple unfinished demo. In short, they did a lot with a little. God bless them all for another beautiful moment.
Agree an unfinished demo not what John's criticism has been knowing that, you can't compare it's content against classic Beatles tracks. Poor assessment I'm afraid. Peace n love to everyone who still accepts it as it stands
What struck me was that Paul is singing with Ringo on harmony which never really happened on Beatles songs. I love it and bought me to tears. Why think it’s weak. It’s a fab nostalgia trip and I don’t get the negativity. What Paul AND Ringo and Miles have done is amazing. I love the bit in the video where George smiles - it’s truly amazing.
This is a great comment. The only one, in fact, that I need to read. So I'm leaving now to listen to it again and swim in the nostalgia of it. When the world is the way it is right now gour minutes of Beatle nostalgia seems pretty great. Thanks for your spot on comment.
Not about the strength of the song. It's a love letter to John and it succeeds at that. Its a hit, its got new fans coming in, and it's no more a Beatles song than any White Album track. All four are on it, all four worked on it, It's a Beatles song. It doesn't have to be the "Best" song. It's just got to be a good farewell and celebration, and that's what it is. It serves it's purpose and beautifully in my opinion.
They already had their send off it was the imperious Abbey Road This is nostalgia, and that's fine but it's not the last beatles song, whatever track they finished on abbey Road was the last Beatles track
I’m glad they’ve done it. They’ve done three new songs in 53 years, so it’s rare enough to still feel like a special event. If they’d released dozens of new songs from old demos over the years then it would probably be overkill, but as it is it’s still a special moment. It feels like a love letter between John and Paul, sung from decades apart, and is a nicer way to round off their friendship than How Do You Sleep or Too Many People.
Fantastic review as always, I agree with every word you said. Always refreshing to hear someone be objective without getting all caught up in the hype.
I was apprehensive at first until I heard it and I love it! We all know it’s not a true Beatles song but Paul, George and Ringo did a good job putting a beautiful song together. I just love hearing John’s voice on it. You’re thinking to much John just relax and enjoy it. Thanks as always, Beatles 4 ever!
I remember a interview with John from the 70s, he said he was worried that after they died they would be releasing songs never intended to be released to the public, and that’s because they weren’t that good or not finished? I guess he had reason to worry.
You are the only YTer whose opinion I care about when it comes to these releases. You're clearly a true Beatles fan yet you're not a sycophant in any way.
Personally I think it's a poignant end to the greatest band that ever was, is and will be. Anybody expecting a song that was going to blow your socks off was at best hopeful and at worst misguided. Love your videos, John. Always will.
It’s like receiving something you have always wanted, owned by a family member, that you receive when they die - you have it, you love it because it means something, it makes you cry, you cherish it, you wish it was something different but, you are grateful for having it.
Driving home from work today in May 2024, Now & Then came on the radio. I was underwhelmed when it first came out, didn’t buy it and haven’t heard it for several months. But it sounded absolutely stunning today. I didn’t immediately realise who or what it was. I just thought how good it sounded to everything else I’d heard that day. Easily the best of the 3 songs they worked on. With a bit of time and distance - and free of our unreasonable expectations- it actually sounds really good.
Personally, I think John would be spinning in his grave that this came out. I can imagine John and George looking down and saying "What a load of crap."
Good points, well made, John. It's obviously not up to the standards of the Beatles 60's heyday, but I think it stands up with Free As A Bird and Real Love, really worthy tunes. I must say, I think the Peter Jackson video is tremendous and really should have been released on the same day as the song for maximum impact.
By omitting several lines of lyric has fundamentally changed the meaning of “now and then I miss you” because we don’t hear the “I don’t want to loose you line”. He is IN a relationship lamenting their growing distance - but now “I miss you” has become past tense and the kind of insipid line Lennon would berate McCartney for. But it is a fine track, it takes you on a journey. Infinitely better than the 2 1995 efforts. Surprisingly convincing as a new entry into their cannon.
Thank you for your honest and sincere comments on your thoughts on the song and the video. I'm a little more enthusiastic about it than you seem to be, but I accept your point of view. I agree that some would like it to be about John thinking of Paul, though it's most likely Yoko. In 1978, when I was a teenager, I bought "Walls & Bridges," and I really wanted "Bless You" to be about Paul (when it most likely was not), so I understand other fans' way of thinking. Back then, we were all hoping for the band to be reconciled and get back together again to make some new music. Although this isn't a completely organic group work, it still does have the combined talents and efforts of all four on one song, so I value this as sort of a glimpse into "what might have been." Of course, if they had really gotten together again, they would have made the song even better. John brought songs to Paul, and Paul brought songs to John, and they always improved what each other had started with, and George usually had something special to add to make it better. Ringo also would occasionally suggest something that would improve upon what they were doing.
I completely agree. I thought the audio version was OK but love the music video. Am I the only one who thinks that the part where young Paul, George and John are removing instruments from the set while older Ringo and Paul play is a reference to a similar section in George's When We Was Fab?
For me, the song doesn't quite work on its own, for many reasons (chief of all being the absence of George's lead playing which lifted the two 90s tracks immensely). But the video makes all the difference. The video turns the lyrics into The Beatles singing about The Beatles - Paul and Ringo on how much they miss George and John. I love it.
In my 56 years have learned this...never take advice from someone who doesn't do things themselves, but just critiques others. Would you hire a guy to build your house, who can't even swing a hammer ? That's who this guy is. The surviving Beatlrs are 80 years old. They aren't gonna out do Sgt. Pepper, but they released a simple song that mirrors where they are in 2023. It's a beautiful song. I do admire the knowledge that Mr. Heaton has about rock bands, but its just one man's opinion.
We all are watching that every artwork that have a huge number of fans, there's one point that the fans came to believe their opinion is even more important than the creator's itself. Thankfully at the end what remains in the hearts and thoughts is the piece of art and not the critics. And in the end the love you take is equal than the love you make.Thanks Beatles, forever!
I do miss the missing section from John's demo, but overall it is very listenable and It's good, leaves me wanting more. I'm wondering if you're overthinking it a bit, but thank you.
I will agree with you that the video is a masterpiece. I think the song is pretty good and better than most of the stuff today. If anything, it gave a lot of those born after the Beatles broke up a chance to say "I was alive when the Beatles released a song." (For some a third.) No, not a masterpiece, but considering what they did with what little they had to work with, and knowing they had to use what little they had from George (had they not, it wouldn't be a Beatles song). But I also know the Beatles could put out a song with one note playing for a minute while they talked jibberish over it and Beatles fans, me included, would go nuts. :) As for it being "not a Beatles song," it is more a Beatles song than Why Don't We Do It in the Road." That is all Paul with a little help from Ringo. Yet, we call it a Beatles song. Yes, it was done during the Beatle years, but what's the difference? And they used the same format they always did (and there were others songs that all four did not play in) in finishing what others may have started with or without all there. In this case, they had to wait for the technology to make it possible. Think about it. A song created over 46 years? Pretty amazing and the video made it that much better for me as it brings closure to their legacy. It will also be interesting to see what other bands/artists resurrect unfinished songs from the past. Thanks for sharing your reaction.
I never had any expectations that 'Now and Then' would be the equal to their best songs from the sixties, so I wasn't disappointed when listening to it. And I'm glad we have it, I enjoyed hearing it for the first time in this completed form. As you said, Paul did a great job putting this all together, especially considering it started out as a demo in the late seventies. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.
I think it’s a lovely song in the more I listen to it the more I like it. The funny thing about Beatles fans is, they hate everything. They are the biggest complainers in the world. The Beatles could drop into your living room and perform for you for five hours and Beatles fans would still find a reason to complain. “Oh why didn’t the Beatles bring pizza or beer?” Or people would complain that George only sang eight songs live in their living room. Get it? Beatle fans are good at two things, buying Beatles stuff and complaining. I’m definitely going to take a break from watching Beatle experts talk about the Beatles on UA-cam.
I'm with you John. As a life long Beatles fan, I can't help but have mixed feelings about this release. On the one hand, I think it's really nice sounding and I am impressed with what Paul and Ringo brought to it in the end, but it's hard to think of it as a "Beatles" song. I think this is a John Lennon demo and it's a demo that John shelved. If he thought it had promise, he would have finished it for Double Fantasy. Having said that, I am aware that the world loves the idea of these guys collaborating one more time to finish something meaningful to the fans, and in that respect John might have dug it, but I'm with you. This should have been promoted as a John Lennon song with a little help from his friends George, Paul and Ringo. I say this all with peace and love. Reply
Peter Jackson’s video elevated the song and even transformed the mood of the song for me, making it more cheerful and fun. It even transformed the meaning of the simple lyrics to include now (today) and then (so many years ago). The ending of the video propels us back in time to when the Beatles were just kids, sort of reminding me that they are just people who wanted to make music and entertain us. Then the final bow. Now I will hear the song and always remember the imagery of the video.
John..the great jazz guitarist Barney Kessel once said music is one half intellectual and one half emotional....the emotional aspect of this track carries the day...
Totally disagree with John, it’s a lovely song made good by Paul Ringo and Giles not forgetting Peter Jackson. It is very emotional watching and listening to this song. I’m just grateful for this. Like Paul said years ago it’s The Beatles shut up. ✌️ ❤ 🙏🏻
This is a real Beatles song simply because all four of them contributed to its making. Excellent work by all involved in this project and a worthy tribute to the history of The Beatles.
@@triplejazzmusicisall1883John and Paul were two of the greatest *rock and roll, pop rock and rock* song writers ever. And George Martin always said that John Lennon and Paul McCartney were incredibly talented people and he said they both were extraordinarily talented song writers and great singers. And he also said that he had never worked with any other music artists that were as brilliant as The Beatles and he produced quite a few other music artists after them but he never had the same success as he did producing them. He also said that most of the creative music ideas came from them.
Enjoyed your honest summary.... not like you were sharpening the knives, clearly as someone who enjoys the Beatles. Yet it does seem that most of us would not have wished not to hear this 'new' release. It has enough about it (and supported by an emotional video) to act as a coda, a Now bookend for the Then 60 year old Love Me Do. Nearly my lifetime. I'm grateful for hearing any of their output, including this 'new' John Lennon piece.
I remember Paul saying John said to him think of me now and then. I did like the original with just John and the piano, I think they did a great Job and I love it and the music video is fabulous.
Its just wonderful, the video is a masterpiece. No its not Hey Jude etc... its for now. and it has far exceeded my initial expectations. I love it X Take your grumpy head off!
first off all 3 songs, FAAB, Real Love and Now and Then, were unfinished, musically and lyrically, lennon demos. This wasn't uncommon for Lennon and all of them may very well have seen the light of day in some form by Lennon if....That being said I quite like Now and Then, and after listening to it a number of times it has grown to my playlist. I love it. and the essence of it is pure Lennon. as well I think the video is smashing. just brilliant.
Thanks, Mr. H. I'm glad I'm not alone in that opinion. I think John would have hated this and George would have called it a cash-in. As you said it has all 4 ex-Beatles on it and they did do an excellent job on cleaning up John's vocals, but it's still just a worked over solo demo in which John had no input. But it is what it is.
Very fair video, John. As you are probably aware, there was a nice bridge on the original demo, which did not make it onto the 2023 version at all, which is a shame. I also note that the 2023 'chorus' is a repeat verse using different chords to the actual verses. I think John used those chords on the repeat part of the demo. John, Leeds
Its not the greatest song in the world but as an end-piece it works. Paul was determined to finish this song as a tribute to John and he should be commended for it. I think that John's demo has a haunting quality and I have always appreciated its deeply emotional element. But then again, I don't mind sad songs in small doses. Cheers.
The thing is. The more you listen it’s simplicity is just right for the moment. At first listen I thought hmmm. But then, it’s a perfect send off…all you need is Love.
At the time FAAB video really great. But like you John Now And Then video very moving, got me at the end. Paul, Ringo, Giles and Peter Jackson should be so proud. Many Thanks John.
Making the rounds on the Now and Then video recap with all the usual suspects. For me, it’s only comparable to the 3 Lennon songs they worked on. It’s certainly better than Free as a Bird which I didn’t like very much. At the moment, Now and then is the best. Peter Jackson’s video was excellent
It's fascinating to hear/ read so many people's reactions and opinions. I wonder if the video shouldn't have been released simultaneously or even before the audio track, as it is as you say, a masterpiece and much more emotional experience (for me, anyway). I'm glad the project was undertaken, and was completed. If it is indeed the "last" song ever presented as a Beatles item, I can accept it as the coda to their 6 decades of being the toppermost of the poppermost. 💕🎶☮
Completely agree with your comments John. For me this is a Paul McCartney release, in collaboration of sorts with Ringo and John's guest vocals. Might be interesting but it's not a Beatles release. Makes me wonder - when they are all finally gone, and a home tape of Ringo singing in the bath is found and pasted onto John muttering to himself, George playing the Ukulele from his sitting room and Paul playing bass from a Wings out-take, and someone clever melds it all together, will this be a Beatles release? Just as valid a claim perhaps
With the demo and Harrison’s opinion in the back of my mind I must admit that I mostly agreed with your comments after a couple of listens. But it’s a real grower… and supported by Jackson’s video, I am not surprised it has hit #1
Lets face it. They could have released the greatest melody with the most interesting chords structure of all time and fans would have still led with "well it's not their best song."
Of course it’s A Beatles song Every single Element every note The love the humour The memories The music The Mixing The production The fact That John wrote it in the seventies Played it on piano Yoko Releasing it to the guys in the nineties John in the seventies George In the nineties With ringo Starr Paul McCartney In the nineties And then Ringo Paul In 2022 All things must pass And A.I. BRINGING JOHNS VOICE OUT FROM THE OVERPOWERING PIANO IS PURE MAGIC THE VODEO SHOWS THE LIFE AND THE LOSS OF THE GUYS BUT IN A WAY ITS A TIMEMACHINE TAKING ME BACK TO MY YOUTH MY TIME WITH MY DAD IN 1962? Listening on a Phillips radio Dialling in To radio Listening to the Beatles It’s our magic And I believe it’s Rather Spiritual It’s humorous Which John would have liked And for the hi fi Guys The music snobs You know nothing Of songs This is a fine song It’s Not meant to be the best Nothing is It’s about Memories In our short lives Magical people times In a world Of madness These things Must not pass They are All We have To guide us through this Evil harsh world Joy Of Music Of Bonds Between people brothers Lovers Friends We all miss You We all miss Someone It’s A Masterpiece To me And that’s All that Matters I miss the guys I always will I thank them for All the joy given All the fun All the beautiful Songs It’s been Wonderful Thank you 🙏
It’s not So much A Beatles Song As much as a John solo effort And then they slapped A Beatles label on it and said ‘Voila!, Beatles!’ Overproduced Embarrassingly so sad it has To go out with a whimper as it was not fab and not four Thank goodness for the existing catalog to remember how it really was
Loved hearing your take on it John. You always have great insights. As for me, I’m really enjoying it. Is it “Let It Be”? No. But it was never going to be or meant to be Let It Be. Is it “single” quality? Perhaps not. But it’s a fab little song as an ‘album cut’, like Glass Onion or I’m Only Sleeping. If it was on side 3 of the White Album, everyone would love it today in my opinion. Cheers 🍻 mate! Matt
I think the production and the love that has gone into it has turned out a great sounding song with a huge emotional hit. Many songs do'nt have middle 8's or classic choruses. Take a jimmy webb song like by the time i get to phoenix for example ??or countless others. Might not have been finished by john, or one of his best; but i think it sounds really emotional and effective. Giles, paul, and ringo did an amazing job with what they had to work with, so to criticise the song kind of completely misses the point
John left this demo unfinished.Many other of his demos were left unfinished.Im not sure but I think this is the first time I heard John sing the words I miss you.Thank you.
I disagree I think its got a beautiful melody and had a huge amount of potential. Potential is the word as the cassette from 77 had the song in a raw unfinished state. Maybe John could not get a good chorus for it so ditched it. Anyone that writes songs probably has thousands of ideas jotted down on tape, but unless they come out as complete song from the outset they will probably be ignored. Paul Giles And Ringo have done a great job on the production front and adding a perfectly acceptable chorus to it. Yeh video is great. It gets my prize for being the beatles saddest song, I don't know why.
I thoroughly agree with your sentiments. The original was definitely intended for Yoko; another apology to her for his infidelity. I do prefer the demo though because it was raw, a John trademark. That said, I appreciate the Beatles version. They did a creditable job sprucing up the demo and I really appreciate Paul and Ringo for their love of John. As for the song itself, it not only shows John’s genius at writing hauntingly beautiful songs, it reminds us how much we lost on that tragic night in December.
I read that John wrote on the cassette "for Paul". "now and then" is also the last words he told to Paul in their last phonecall apparently. So I think Paul was right to finish this song.
I think it sounds great, I think the simplicity of structure (and lyrics) is the kind of directness with which John Lennon wrote with throughout his career. The parts that Paul wrote twist slightly in a different direction the way their old collaborations used to do. I have to disagree, I think it stands up as a song, and as a production. I feel like this is a much more natural sounding song than either Free as a Bird or Real Love.
Thank you, John, for your honest comments about "Now & Then". Personally, I don't mind the song, but think the praise (or overpraise) for and about it is just a bit 'All Too Much' (to paraphrase another Beatles song. Yes, Peter Jackson's music video for it is nice, as well as the work on the song Paul, George and Ringo did (especially Paul) across the years, as well as Producer Giles Martin. Agree that the song is comparable to "Real Love", with P, G and R acting like back up musicians to John's original demo. For me, a more real Beatles song would be all four working in a recording studio at the same time. Not that I don't consider a number of Beatles songs (where all four didn't appear on the song) as not 'real' Beatles songs ("Yesterday" being a prime example). But, unfortunately, this never quite happened following their break-up.
Thanks for keeping this objective. It is a lacklustre, unfinished song idea and it's a pity this is now the legendary last "Beatles song". What I really enjoy is Ringo's drumming.
I respect your views but think that you are unduly harsh. A song should evoke emotions of time and place. As reimagined in this way, it is all about nostalgia and mortality. It's not the greatest Beatle song, but in 2023 it's a wonderful addition to their body of work.
Thanks John. I've listened to it a three times and I've quite enjoyed it, though like you it sounds to my ears more like a Lennon solo track than a Beatles song. I was a bit disappointed that they didn't write a new section for it, and I find some of the instrumental backing a bit wishy-washy. Also bit disappointed with the Peter Jackson promo with the early footage of the Beatles in leathers - I've seen that footage before but I'd read it was supposed to be unseen.
How come they omitted the hook "I don't want to lose you" from the official Beatle version? That part is so exceptional to what makes the song so great! What was Paul thinking to leave that out?
John, I had similar thoughts when I first heard it. And I agree it's more about wrapping up the legacy than the strength of the song itself (which isn't even all of the original version). The video really moved me as it hit home. I agree, I wondered why John didn't bother with it for Double Fantasy + I thought it was aimed at Yoko, when they were going through tough times. The missing mid-section contained the lyric 'abuse', which probably impacted on the decision to remove it.
IMO a $$$ grab. Feels a bit slimy to me. Thanks to AI, if someone whistled in the studio and it was caught on tape we will now have a fully produced song. I can’t wait to see how many hidden “masterpieces” are going to be released in the future. Am I cynical? Probably so. I agree with you John, this track is not up to Lennon’s standard. It wasn’t completed for a reason. It’s as if the guys thought up all the Beatles’ cliches they could and finished it the demo that way. All in my very humble opinion of course.
Absolute nailed it. The video is amazing and the song is ok but has been given all it could have to breathe life into it. And I agree it's not really a Beatles track, it's a Lennon snippet given a lift by the others. The only real disappointment is the cover artwork. It's just dull.
Agree that it's not really a great song. However, hearing John's voice completely separated from the original tape is fantastic. Where this song really shines is when played as the video. Very emotional to watch.
The video clip is great. The technology is Fantastic But i agree with George, the song is not good. I personally wish they had remixed Free as a Bird and Real Love.
The video got me too John. Excellent considered review from you. Although ostensibly the last Beatles song, I wonder if they’ll go back and use the technology to improve Lennon’s voice on the 90s releases.
I agree with you overall. For me, it's not nearly as good as the two Lennon songs Paul, George, and Ringo worked up in the 90s, but they made the best of what they had to work with here.
I like it more than Flying and Blue Jay Way. I find the song an intriguing, enjoyable, and nostalgic curate's egg. But it's so great to hear John again - one last time.
John- Your comments are spot-on. I"m a HUGE Beatles fan and I applaud you for calling it like it is. Too many critics (make that ALL the critics) continue to suck up to the Beatles. This was nice song. Could have been a lot better.
Thanks for the honest and thoughtful rewiew. Its a fantastic craft and skill that goes into this song. World class project. But in the end - its no Let it be or Something or StrawberryFieldsForever. But the video. OMG !
Of course it's no Let it Be or Strawberry Fields. Everyone has to say that for some reason. Neither is Her Majesty or Cry baby Cry. Geez! It's a new Beatles miracle!
I think its a song that would have fit nicely on a Beatles album , even if it isnt hit song material . It's a pleasant listen . A bit sad for sure , but I'm glad we have it , especially for those of us , who hold the Beatles so close to our hearts .
@@79BlackRose he didn't have much of a chance to. He recorded one album which his wife took up half of it. Plus, Across the Universe, When I'm 64, Michelle were all shelved for years before they were recorded because they weren't sure the approach they were going to take with them. Maybe Now and Then was the same way.
It's not the best Beatles song, but it's worthy. I think it's good that they have done this, nostalgia is cranked up to the max, and the video does open up the tear ducts.
It's a very good production of a fragment of a song. The fragment is very much in John's mid-seventies vein, therefore not comparable with the edgy material he wrote for the Beatles. Thanks for the realistic assessment, John. The song needs the video, which is a fine piece of work by Peter Jackson.
George Harrison described the demo.as a piece of shite... I agree.
@@taykitrleevitt4314no, he was referring to quality of the tape silly.
Paul, Ringo, with George back then, and all the technical collaborators made a highly emotional production out of a quite simple unfinished demo. In short, they did a lot with a little.
God bless them all for another beautiful moment.
Agree an unfinished demo not what John's criticism has been knowing that, you can't compare it's content against classic Beatles tracks. Poor assessment I'm afraid. Peace n love to everyone who still accepts it as it stands
Very well put.
What struck me was that Paul is singing with Ringo on harmony which never really happened on Beatles songs. I love it and bought me to tears. Why think it’s weak. It’s a fab nostalgia trip and I don’t get the negativity. What Paul AND Ringo and Miles have done is amazing. I love the bit in the video where George smiles - it’s truly amazing.
This is a great comment. The only one, in fact, that I need to read. So I'm leaving now to listen to it again and swim in the nostalgia of it. When the world is the way it is right now gour minutes of Beatle nostalgia seems pretty great. Thanks for your spot on comment.
"Four minutes" I meant to say.
Because Paul ain’t got much voice left anymore.In fact it’s old man atrocious
Not about the strength of the song. It's a love letter to John and it succeeds at that. Its a hit, its got new fans coming in, and it's no more a Beatles song than any White Album track. All four are on it, all four worked on it, It's a Beatles song. It doesn't have to be the "Best" song. It's just got to be a good farewell and celebration, and that's what it is. It serves it's purpose and beautifully in my opinion.
Brilliantly put ! John has missed the context and nuance of this musical event i feel
I agree with you I think it’s a Beatiful song and I connected to it
Absolutely!
They already had their send off it was the imperious Abbey Road
This is nostalgia, and that's fine but it's not the last beatles song, whatever track they finished on abbey Road was the last Beatles track
I’m glad they’ve done it. They’ve done three new songs in 53 years, so it’s rare enough to still feel like a special event. If they’d released dozens of new songs from old demos over the years then it would probably be overkill, but as it is it’s still a special moment. It feels like a love letter between John and Paul, sung from decades apart, and is a nicer way to round off their friendship than How Do You Sleep or Too Many People.
Fantastic review as always, I agree with every word you said. Always refreshing to hear someone be objective without getting all caught up in the hype.
Sheep tossa
I was apprehensive at first until I heard it and I love it! We all know it’s not a true Beatles song but Paul, George and Ringo did a good job putting a beautiful song together. I just love hearing John’s voice on it. You’re thinking to much John just relax and enjoy it. Thanks as always, Beatles 4 ever!
I remember a interview with John from the 70s, he said he was worried that after they died they would be releasing songs never intended to be released to the public, and that’s because they weren’t that good or not finished? I guess he had reason to worry.
You are the only YTer whose opinion I care about when it comes to these releases. You're clearly a true Beatles fan yet you're not a sycophant in any way.
Personally I think it's a poignant end to the greatest band that ever was, is and will be. Anybody expecting a song that was going to blow your socks off was at best hopeful and at worst misguided. Love your videos, John. Always will.
Good comment.
It’s like receiving something you have always wanted, owned by a family member, that you receive when they die - you have it, you love it because it means something, it makes you cry, you cherish it, you wish it was something different but, you are grateful for having it.
I think your review is fair. It is refreshing to hear. Thanks.
Driving home from work today in May 2024, Now & Then came on the radio. I was underwhelmed when it first came out, didn’t buy it and haven’t heard it for several months. But it sounded absolutely stunning today. I didn’t immediately realise who or what it was. I just thought how good it sounded to everything else I’d heard that day. Easily the best of the 3 songs they worked on. With a bit of time and distance - and free of our unreasonable expectations- it actually sounds really good.
Personally, I think John would be spinning in his grave that this came out. I can imagine John and George looking down and saying "What a load of crap."
They changed the meaning of the song. It’s a solo John Lennon song, with input from McCartney, Ringo and Jackson to make it listenable.
Good points, well made, John. It's obviously not up to the standards of the Beatles 60's heyday, but I think it stands up with Free As A Bird and Real Love, really worthy tunes. I must say, I think the Peter Jackson video is tremendous and really should have been released on the same day as the song for maximum impact.
Peter Jackson's brilliant, emotional video made me enjoy this song even more.
By omitting several lines of lyric has fundamentally changed the meaning of “now and then I miss you” because we don’t hear the “I don’t want to loose you line”. He is IN a relationship lamenting their growing distance - but now “I miss you” has become past tense and the kind of insipid line Lennon would berate McCartney for. But it is a fine track, it takes you on a journey. Infinitely better than the 2 1995 efforts. Surprisingly convincing as a new entry into their cannon.
I love the video and the song.
I feel emotional when I saw it.
I miss those 4 boys.
Goodbye Beatles.
💧✌️❤️🍏
Thank you for your honest and sincere comments on your thoughts on the song and the video. I'm a little more enthusiastic about it than you seem to be, but I accept your point of view. I agree that some would like it to be about John thinking of Paul, though it's most likely Yoko. In 1978, when I was a teenager, I bought "Walls & Bridges," and I really wanted "Bless You" to be about Paul (when it most likely was not), so I understand other fans' way of thinking. Back then, we were all hoping for the band to be reconciled and get back together again to make some new music.
Although this isn't a completely organic group work, it still does have the combined talents and efforts of all four on one song, so I value this as sort of a glimpse into "what might have been." Of course, if they had really gotten together again, they would have made the song even better. John brought songs to Paul, and Paul brought songs to John, and they always improved what each other had started with, and George usually had something special to add to make it better. Ringo also would occasionally suggest something that would improve upon what they were doing.
Balanced, honest, fantastic.
I completely agree. I thought the audio version was OK but love the music video. Am I the only one who thinks that the part where young Paul, George and John are removing instruments from the set while older Ringo and Paul play is a reference to a similar section in George's When We Was Fab?
For me, the song doesn't quite work on its own, for many reasons (chief of all being the absence of George's lead playing which lifted the two 90s tracks immensely). But the video makes all the difference. The video turns the lyrics into The Beatles singing about The Beatles - Paul and Ringo on how much they miss George and John. I love it.
Thanks for an honest review.
In my 56 years have learned this...never take advice from someone who doesn't do things themselves, but just critiques others. Would you hire a guy to build your house, who can't even swing a hammer ? That's who this guy is.
The surviving Beatlrs are 80 years old. They aren't gonna out do Sgt. Pepper, but they released a simple song that mirrors where they are in 2023. It's a beautiful song. I do admire the knowledge that Mr. Heaton has about rock bands, but its just one man's opinion.
Overall the fanfare is welcomed this time around. With all the drama & chaos in the world it’s a brief diversion. It’s an imperfect 4:05 of beauty…
We all are watching that every artwork that have a huge number of fans, there's one point that the fans came to believe their opinion is even more important than the creator's itself. Thankfully at the end what remains in the hearts and thoughts is the piece of art and not the critics. And in the end the love you take is equal than the love you make.Thanks Beatles, forever!
I do miss the missing section from John's demo, but overall it is very listenable and It's good, leaves me wanting more. I'm wondering if you're overthinking it a bit, but thank you.
I will agree with you that the video is a masterpiece. I think the song is pretty good and better than most of the stuff today. If anything, it gave a lot of those born after the Beatles broke up a chance to say "I was alive when the Beatles released a song." (For some a third.)
No, not a masterpiece, but considering what they did with what little they had to work with, and knowing they had to use what little they had from George (had they not, it wouldn't be a Beatles song). But I also know the Beatles could put out a song with one note playing for a minute while they talked jibberish over it and Beatles fans, me included, would go nuts. :)
As for it being "not a Beatles song," it is more a Beatles song than Why Don't We Do It in the Road." That is all Paul with a little help from Ringo. Yet, we call it a Beatles song. Yes, it was done during the Beatle years, but what's the difference? And they used the same format they always did (and there were others songs that all four did not play in) in finishing what others may have started with or without all there. In this case, they had to wait for the technology to make it possible. Think about it. A song created over 46 years? Pretty amazing and the video made it that much better for me as it brings closure to their legacy. It will also be interesting to see what other bands/artists resurrect unfinished songs from the past. Thanks for sharing your reaction.
You’re right. It took 46 years to create. That ought to get them in the Guinness Book of Records again.
I never had any expectations that 'Now and Then' would be the equal to their best songs from the sixties, so I wasn't disappointed when listening to it. And I'm glad we have it, I enjoyed hearing it for the first time in this completed form. As you said, Paul did a great job putting this all together, especially considering it started out as a demo in the late seventies. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.
I love it pure Beatles
I think it’s a lovely song in the more I listen to it the more I like it. The funny thing about Beatles fans is, they hate everything. They are the biggest complainers in the world. The Beatles could drop into your living room and perform for you for five hours and Beatles fans would still find a reason to complain. “Oh why didn’t the Beatles bring pizza or beer?” Or people would complain that George only sang eight songs live in their living room. Get it? Beatle fans are good at two things, buying Beatles stuff and complaining. I’m definitely going to take a break from watching Beatle experts talk about the Beatles on UA-cam.
I like it.
I totally agree with everything you said here. Nicely put.
The 'I don't want to lose you' pre chorus section from the the original demo shouldn't have been cut.
I'm with you John. As a life long Beatles fan, I can't help but have mixed feelings about this release. On the one hand, I think it's really nice sounding and I am impressed with what Paul and Ringo brought to it in the end, but it's hard to think of it as a "Beatles" song. I think this is a John Lennon demo and it's a demo that John shelved. If he thought it had promise, he would have finished it for Double Fantasy. Having said that, I am aware that the world loves the idea of these guys collaborating one more time to finish something meaningful to the fans, and in that respect John might have dug it, but I'm with you. This should have been promoted as a John Lennon song with a little help from his friends George, Paul and Ringo. I say this all with peace and love.
Reply
Hello John, I agree with everything you’ve said. Your every single comment was SPOT ON!
Absolutely right on the money.
Thank you
Peter Jackson’s video elevated the song and even transformed the mood of the song for me, making it more cheerful and fun. It even transformed the meaning of the simple lyrics to include now (today) and then (so many years ago). The ending of the video propels us back in time to when the Beatles were just kids, sort of reminding me that they are just people who wanted to make music and entertain us. Then the final bow. Now I will hear the song and always remember the imagery of the video.
I like the new the release but prefer the demo. John’s fragile voice was beautiful over the warbly piano….
Excellent review …. Totally agree
John..the great jazz guitarist Barney Kessel once said music is one half intellectual and one half emotional....the emotional aspect of this track carries the day...
Harrison said, it's rubbish. And he was against to release it.
Edit: I am surprised that anybody liked this 😁
Totally disagree with John, it’s a lovely song made good by Paul Ringo and Giles not forgetting Peter Jackson.
It is very emotional watching and listening to this song.
I’m just grateful for this.
Like Paul said years ago it’s The Beatles shut up. ✌️ ❤ 🙏🏻
Agree with your thoughts Mr Heaton ....
This is a real Beatles song simply because all four of them contributed to its making. Excellent work by all involved in this project and a worthy tribute to the history of The Beatles.
@@triplejazzmusicisall1883John and Paul were two of the greatest *rock and roll, pop rock and rock* song writers ever.
And George Martin always said that John Lennon and Paul McCartney were incredibly talented people and he said they both were extraordinarily talented song writers and great singers.
And he also said that he had never worked with any other music artists that were as brilliant as The Beatles and he produced quite a few other music artists after them but he never had the same success as he did producing them.
He also said that most of the creative music ideas came from them.
Enjoyed your honest summary.... not like you were sharpening the knives, clearly as someone who enjoys the Beatles.
Yet it does seem that most of us would not have wished not to hear this 'new' release. It has enough about it (and supported by an emotional video) to act as a coda, a Now bookend for the Then 60 year old Love Me Do. Nearly my lifetime.
I'm grateful for hearing any of their output, including this 'new' John Lennon piece.
I remember Paul saying John said to him think of me now and then. I did like the original with just John and the piano, I think they did a great Job and I love it and the music video is fabulous.
Regardless of what anyone thinks about the song , at the end of the day , what matters is that we get to hear John’s voice again in a new song .
Its just wonderful, the video is a masterpiece. No its not Hey Jude etc... its for now. and it has far exceeded my initial expectations. I love it X Take your grumpy head off!
Great song! The video is even better!
I love it…it’s very emotional and I think a hauntingly beautiful song
first off all 3 songs, FAAB, Real Love and Now and Then, were unfinished, musically and lyrically, lennon demos. This wasn't uncommon for Lennon and all of them may very well have seen the light of day in some form by Lennon if....That being said I quite like Now and Then, and after listening to it a number of times it has grown to my playlist. I love it. and the essence of it is pure Lennon. as well I think the video is smashing. just brilliant.
Thanks, Mr. H. I'm glad I'm not alone in that opinion. I think John would have hated this and George would have called it a cash-in. As you said it has all 4 ex-Beatles on it and they did do an excellent job on cleaning up John's vocals, but it's still just a worked over solo demo in which John had no input. But it is what it is.
Very fair video, John. As you are probably aware, there was a nice bridge on the original demo, which did not make it onto the 2023 version at all, which is a shame. I also note that the 2023 'chorus' is a repeat verse using different chords to the actual verses. I think John used those chords on the repeat part of the demo.
John, Leeds
It was not good enough for Anthology 3 CD but the video and technology does raise it to being a respectable song.
Great review, honest straightforward as always.
Its not the greatest song in the world but as an end-piece it works. Paul was determined to finish this song as a tribute to John and he should be commended for it. I think that John's demo has a haunting quality and I have always appreciated its deeply emotional element. But then again, I don't mind sad songs in small doses. Cheers.
The thing is. The more you listen it’s simplicity is just right for the moment. At first listen I thought hmmm. But then, it’s a perfect send off…all you need is Love.
At the time FAAB video really great. But like you John Now And Then video very moving, got me at the end. Paul, Ringo, Giles and Peter Jackson should be so proud. Many Thanks John.
Making the rounds on the Now and Then video recap with all the usual suspects. For me, it’s only comparable to the 3 Lennon songs they worked on. It’s certainly better than Free as a Bird which I didn’t like very much. At the moment, Now and then is the best. Peter Jackson’s video was excellent
Now and then.. I agree with you. This is one of those occasions! Nah, spot on as ever!
It's fascinating to hear/ read so many people's reactions and opinions. I wonder if the video shouldn't have been released simultaneously or even before the audio track, as it is as you say, a masterpiece and much more emotional experience (for me, anyway). I'm glad the project was undertaken, and was completed. If it is indeed the "last" song ever presented as a Beatles item, I can accept it as the coda to their 6 decades of being the toppermost of the poppermost. 💕🎶☮
Completely agree with your comments John. For me this is a Paul McCartney release, in collaboration of sorts with Ringo and John's guest vocals. Might be interesting but it's not a Beatles release. Makes me wonder - when they are all finally gone, and a home tape of Ringo singing in the bath is found and pasted onto John muttering to himself, George playing the Ukulele from his sitting room and Paul playing bass from a Wings out-take, and someone clever melds it all together, will this be a Beatles release? Just as valid a claim perhaps
Totally agree with you about the video John... they got me with that one too!
With the demo and Harrison’s opinion in the back of my mind I must admit that I mostly agreed with your comments after a couple of listens.
But it’s a real grower… and supported by Jackson’s video, I am not surprised it has hit #1
Lets face it. They could have released the greatest melody with the most interesting chords structure of all time and fans would have still led with "well it's not their best song."
Of course it’s
A Beatles song
Every single
Element every note
The love the humour
The memories
The music
The
Mixing
The production
The fact
That
John wrote it in the seventies
Played it on piano
Yoko
Releasing it to the guys in the nineties
John in the seventies
George
In the nineties
With ringo
Starr Paul McCartney
In the nineties
And then
Ringo
Paul
In 2022
All things must pass
And A.I.
BRINGING
JOHNS VOICE
OUT FROM THE
OVERPOWERING PIANO
IS PURE MAGIC
THE VODEO
SHOWS THE
LIFE
AND THE LOSS OF
THE GUYS
BUT IN A WAY ITS
A
TIMEMACHINE
TAKING ME
BACK
TO
MY YOUTH
MY TIME WITH MY DAD IN 1962?
Listening on a Phillips radio
Dialling in
To radio
Listening to the
Beatles
It’s our magic
And I believe it’s
Rather
Spiritual
It’s humorous
Which John would have liked
And for the hi fi
Guys
The music snobs
You know nothing
Of songs
This is a fine song
It’s
Not meant to be the best
Nothing is
It’s about
Memories
In our short lives
Magical people times
In a world
Of madness
These things
Must not pass
They are
All
We have
To guide us through this
Evil harsh world
Joy
Of
Music
Of
Bonds
Between people brothers
Lovers
Friends
We all miss
You
We all miss
Someone
It’s
A
Masterpiece
To me
And that’s
All that
Matters
I miss the guys
I always will
I thank them for
All the joy given
All the fun
All the beautiful
Songs
It’s been
Wonderful
Thank you
🙏
It’s not
So much
A Beatles
Song
As much
as
a
John
solo effort
And then they slapped
A
Beatles label on
it
and said
‘Voila!, Beatles!’
Overproduced
Embarrassingly so
sad it has
To go out with
a
whimper
as it was not fab
and not four
Thank goodness for
the existing catalog
to remember
how
it
really
was
I agree with absolutely everything you say.
Loved hearing your take on it John. You always have great insights. As for me, I’m really enjoying it. Is it “Let It Be”? No. But it was never going to be or meant to be Let It Be. Is it “single” quality? Perhaps not. But it’s a fab little song as an ‘album cut’, like Glass Onion or I’m Only Sleeping. If it was on side 3 of the White Album, everyone would love it today in my opinion. Cheers 🍻 mate! Matt
I think the production and the love that has gone into it has turned out a great sounding song with a huge emotional hit. Many songs do'nt have middle 8's or classic choruses. Take a jimmy webb song like by the time i get to phoenix for example ??or countless others. Might not have been finished by john, or one of his best; but i think it sounds really emotional and effective. Giles, paul, and ringo did an amazing job with what they had to work with, so to criticise the song kind of completely misses the point
It's a good song that needed extra ingredients. Great bookend to a stellar story.
I think it's great!
John left this demo unfinished.Many other of his demos were left unfinished.Im not sure but I think this is the first time I heard John sing the words I miss you.Thank you.
I disagree I think its got a beautiful melody and had a huge amount of potential. Potential is the word as the cassette from 77 had the song in a raw unfinished state. Maybe John could not get a good chorus for it so ditched it. Anyone that writes songs probably has thousands of ideas jotted down on tape, but unless they come out as complete song from the outset they will probably be ignored. Paul Giles And Ringo have done a great job on the production front and adding a perfectly acceptable chorus to it. Yeh video is great. It gets my prize for being the beatles saddest song, I don't know why.
It's in a minor key and the Beatles are OVER, though Paul seems to be unable to accept that. Thankfully their amazing music lives on.
Why is because of the extremely sad reality about what tragically happened to especially John and also George and The Beatles sad bitter ending.
I thoroughly agree with your sentiments. The original was definitely intended for Yoko; another apology to her for his infidelity. I do prefer the demo though because it was raw, a John trademark. That said, I appreciate the Beatles version. They did a creditable job sprucing up the demo and I really appreciate Paul and Ringo for their love of John. As for the song itself, it not only shows John’s genius at writing hauntingly beautiful songs, it reminds us how much we lost on that tragic night in December.
I read that John wrote on the cassette "for Paul". "now and then" is also the last words he told to Paul in their last phonecall apparently. So I think Paul was right to finish this song.
@@SonnellAnd let's not forget George Harrison, The Beatles are the greatest band of all time,RIP John and George.
@@James-hd6ezJames you are so right!
I think it sounds great, I think the simplicity of structure (and lyrics) is the kind of directness with which John Lennon wrote with throughout his career. The parts that Paul wrote twist slightly in a different direction the way their old collaborations used to do. I have to disagree, I think it stands up as a song, and as a production. I feel like this is a much more natural sounding song than either Free as a Bird or Real Love.
Thank you, John, for your honest comments about "Now & Then". Personally, I don't mind the song, but think the praise (or overpraise) for and about it is just a bit 'All Too Much' (to paraphrase another Beatles song. Yes, Peter Jackson's music video for it is nice, as well as the work on the song Paul, George and Ringo did (especially Paul) across the years, as well as Producer Giles Martin. Agree that the song is comparable to "Real Love", with P, G and R acting like back up musicians to John's original demo. For me, a more real Beatles song would be all four working in a recording studio at the same time. Not that I don't consider a number of Beatles songs (where all four didn't appear on the song) as not 'real' Beatles songs ("Yesterday" being a prime example). But, unfortunately, this never quite happened following their break-up.
Thanks for keeping this objective. It is a lacklustre, unfinished song idea and it's a pity this is now the legendary last "Beatles song". What I really enjoy is Ringo's drumming.
It's not a "Pity" as long as it connects with people. And it is!
It connects with me the song is Beatiful
@@tyronewhitehead3123each to their own, i find it very monotonous for a Beatles track, but don't let it spoil your enjoyment of the track 🙂
I respect your views but think that you are unduly harsh. A song should evoke emotions of time and place. As reimagined in this way, it is all about nostalgia and mortality. It's not the greatest Beatle song, but in 2023 it's a wonderful addition to their body of work.
Thanks John. I've listened to it a three times and I've quite enjoyed it, though like you it sounds to my ears more like a Lennon solo track than a Beatles song. I was a bit disappointed that they didn't write a new section for it, and I find some of the instrumental backing a bit wishy-washy. Also bit disappointed with the Peter Jackson promo with the early footage of the Beatles in leathers - I've seen that footage before but I'd read it was supposed to be unseen.
How come they omitted the hook "I don't want to lose you" from the official Beatle version? That part is so exceptional to what makes the song so great! What was Paul thinking to leave that out?
John, I had similar thoughts when I first heard it. And I agree it's more about wrapping up the legacy than the strength of the song itself (which isn't even all of the original version). The video really moved me as it hit home. I agree, I wondered why John didn't bother with it for Double Fantasy + I thought it was aimed at Yoko, when they were going through tough times. The missing mid-section contained the lyric 'abuse', which probably impacted on the decision to remove it.
Kind of ironic that McCartney took the Phil Spector approach with the production.
IMO a $$$ grab. Feels a bit slimy to me. Thanks to AI, if someone whistled in the studio and it was caught on tape we will now have a fully produced song. I can’t wait to see how many hidden “masterpieces” are going to be released in the future. Am I cynical? Probably so. I agree with you John, this track is not up to Lennon’s standard. It wasn’t completed for a reason. It’s as if the guys thought up all the Beatles’ cliches they could and finished it the demo that way. All in my very humble opinion of course.
Absolute nailed it. The video is amazing and the song is ok but has been given all it could have to breathe life into it. And I agree it's not really a Beatles track, it's a Lennon snippet given a lift by the others.
The only real disappointment is the cover artwork. It's just dull.
Agree that it's not really a great song. However, hearing John's voice completely separated from the original tape is fantastic. Where this song really shines is when played as the video. Very emotional to watch.
The video clip is great.
The technology is Fantastic
But i agree with George, the song is not good. I personally wish they had remixed Free as a Bird and Real Love.
The video got me too John. Excellent considered review from you. Although ostensibly the last Beatles song, I wonder if they’ll go back and use the technology to improve Lennon’s voice on the 90s releases.
It has more emotional weight rather than artistic weight. Great technological and production achievement though.
I agree with you overall. For me, it's not nearly as good as the two Lennon songs Paul, George, and Ringo worked up in the 90s, but they made the best of what they had to work with here.
I think it’s great.🙏❤️
I had the same reaction verbatim. One side of me was glad to hear it. One side doesn't want it to be "The Last Beatles Song". Ce la vie.
Spot on. Despite all of the technologial production wonder, this is almost instantly forgettable. And I'm so sad to say that.
I like it more than Flying and Blue Jay Way. I find the song an intriguing, enjoyable, and nostalgic curate's egg. But it's so great to hear John again - one last time.
John- Your comments are spot-on. I"m a HUGE Beatles fan and I applaud you for calling it like it is. Too many critics (make that ALL the critics) continue to suck up to the Beatles. This was nice song. Could have been a lot better.
Not my favorite song but the video is among their best.
The song is fine.
Excellent review, Gilbert. I like it more than you but it’s refreshing to hear you perspective. And, yes, the video is inspired. Sullivan
Thanks for the honest and thoughtful rewiew. Its a fantastic craft and skill that goes into this song. World class project. But in the end - its no Let it be or Something or StrawberryFieldsForever. But the video. OMG !
Of course it's no Let it Be or Strawberry Fields. Everyone has to say that for some reason. Neither is Her Majesty or Cry baby Cry. Geez! It's a new Beatles miracle!
I think its a song that would have fit nicely on a Beatles album , even if it isnt hit song material . It's a pleasant listen . A bit sad for sure , but I'm glad we have it , especially for those of us , who hold the Beatles so close to our hearts .
It's hit song material in today's world.
The point is that it wasn't good enough for John to record and put on his own albums let alone the Beatles.
@@79BlackRose he didn't have much of a chance to. He recorded one album which his wife took up half of it.
Plus, Across the Universe, When I'm 64, Michelle were all shelved for years before they were recorded because they weren't sure the approach they were going to take with them. Maybe Now and Then was the same way.