Timeless Rememberance: Definitive and Last Beatles Melody
In a groundbreaking development, the Beatles have announced the release of their final song titled "Now and Then," thanks to the use of artificial intelligence (AI). This song marks a significant milestone in the intersection of AI and music, showcasing the potential of this technology.
The AI technology, developed by filmmaker Peter Jackson, was used to restore the audio of "Now and Then," effectively isolating John Lennon's vocals from a poor-quality demo recording made in 1978. The machine was instructed to identify Lennon's voice and separate it from other sounds on the recording tape, allowing for its enhancement.
This technique, also used in prior Beatles projects like the "Revolver" album re-release, is not about digitally recreating or generating a new Lennon vocal from scratch but rather about extracting and enhancing his existing voice. A team of musicians and audio engineers worked closely with the AI model to fine-tune the generated vocals to match Lennon's distinct style.
The demo of "Now and Then" had been incomplete and partly worked on by the surviving Beatles in the 1990s but remained unfinished until this AI-assisted technology allowed its completion. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr then added new instrumentation and harmonies around this cleaned-up vocal track, creating the feeling of a true Beatles reunion.
"Now and Then" is the only Beatles song featuring all four voices—Lennon (via demo), McCartney, Starr, and Harrison's 1995 parts—released decades after the band's breakup. Lennon's son, Sean Ono Lennon, expressed that the tasteful use of AI to bring John's original voice to the forefront was in line with Lennon's love of experimenting with recording technology.
The release of "Now and Then" pays homage to the legacy of John Lennon and The Beatles, connecting the past and present to honor the enduring influence of this iconic band. The song serves as a symbol of the Beatles' commitment to fulfilling their artistic vision, even in the face of technological advancements.
AI systems rely on deep learning algorithms and neural networks to analyse vast amounts of audio data. They study unique vocal characteristics, such as tone, pitch, and phrasing, to generate accurate replicas of voices. This technology has been used in music production to generate melodies, compose songs, and mimic the styles of artists.
The Beatles' final song "Now and Then" is scheduled for release later this year. It will be released as a double A‐side with "Love Me Do," another classic Beatles song, further cementing the band's place in music history.
- The groundbreaking AI technology, used to restore the audio of the Beatles' final song, "Now and Then," exemplifies the intersection of AI and music, demonstrating its potential in entertainment.
- The development of AI systems includes deep learning algorithms and neural networks, which analyze vast amounts of audio data to study unique vocal characteristics, such as tone, pitch, and phrasing, for use in music production.
- The AI-assisted technology, utilized in the completion of "Now and Then," is not about digitally recreating a new Lennon vocal, but rather about extracting and enhancing his existing voice to maintain his distinct style.
- The Beatles' final song, "Now and Then," will be released later this year as a double A‐side with "Love Me Do," reinforcing the band's unwavering position in music history, merging both the past and present perspectives in entertainment and fitness of the health of their legacy.
