Dec. 14, 2023
By Rebecca Ruiz
Staff Writer
The iconic English rock band the Beatles released their first single “Love Me Do / P.S. I Love You” on Oct. 5, 1962. Sixty-one years later, with the help of artificial intelligence, the Beatles released their final song, “Now and Then,” on Nov. 2.
George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were all members of the Beatles until the band broke up in 1974. Six years later, Lennon was assassinated outside his home, the Dakota Apartments, in New York City.
In 1994, 14 years after Lennon’s passing, Harrison, McCartney and Starr reunited to create three albums in an anthology project and film clips for their television series, “The Beatles Anthology.” At the time, Yoko Ono, Lennon’s widow, gave McCartney three of Lennon’s old music demos. The band was able to salvage Lennon’s vocals and used those demos to release the songs “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” in 1995 and 1996, respectively.
The third demo, “Now and Then,” could not be restored because Lennon’s vocals were too drowned out by the piano he was playing and the television in the background. However, in 2022, Peter Jackson, the director of the Beatles’ documentary “Get Back,” and his team used AI to separate vocals and instrumentals to complete “Now and Then.”
“When I first heard the vocals come in and I could hear Lennon’s voice, I kind of got chills.”
Junior Gianna Scardino said she is glad AI was able to complete this song.
“I like the use of AI technology because it shows how music as an art form is progressing,” Scardino said.
She said the application of AI in “Now and Then” does not bother her because there was no other option since Lennon is not alive to record new vocals. However, Scardino said she does not want AI to become the norm in music production.
“If we start using this to make music, we won’t need musicians anymore, and that defeats the purpose of it being an art. Arts are meant to express emotions, and AI doesn’t have emotions,” Scardino said.
She said “Now and Then” is a special song because it marks the last time all four Beatles’ vocals are featured together.
“You could hear the emotion and the connection that the four men had,” Scardino said.
Band director Mr. Chwalyk said his immediate impression after listening to “Now and Then” was shock.
“When I first heard the vocals come in and I could hear Lennon’s voice, I kind of got chills,” Chwalyk said.
Chwalyk said new developments in AI can be positive because they attract people with an interest in technology.
“If this is what it takes to get you into music, art or expression, then I would say don’t feel guilty about it. Don’t question the integrity of it. As long as you have artistic intent, you should explore it,” Chwalyk said.
Sophomore Joseph Brennen said he is happy he was able to witness the release of a new Beatles song.
“When I first heard that the Beatles were making a new song, I was excited,” Brennen said.
He said he does not mind the music industry’s use of AI when it is necessary.
“It could be a great tool, but it shouldn’t be overused. In this case, it was used well,” Brennen said.
He said AI did not detract from the authenticity of “Now and Then.” In fact, he said it reinforced the Beatles’ brand.
“The Beatles experimented with a lot of new [sounds and styles],” Brennen said. “Being the first group to use something as new as AI is such a Beatles thing to do.”
