Paul McCartney performing “Now and Then” live for the first time.
The song, a posthumous Beatles track, was released in 2023, nearly five decades after it was originally recorded. McCartney, along with his fellow surviving Beatles Ringo Starr, brought the track to life on stage, marking a historic moment in music. This performance was part of a special event, with McCartney showcasing his timeless musical talents while paying homage to the band’s legacy.
“Now and Then” is notable not just for its deep Beatles roots, but also for its intricate production. The song had been lying in the archives since 1978, when John Lennon originally demoed it. Over the years, McCartney and Starr worked with technology to bring the song to a finished state, despite Lennon’s death in 1980. The track, which combines McCartney’s signature melodic style with Lennon’s haunting vocals, presents a touching reunion between the two former bandmates, albeit through technology.
The live performance of “Now and Then” drew considerable attention because it marked the first time the track was played before an audience. McCartney, ever the showman, brought emotional weight to the occasion, reflecting on the legacy of the Beatles and the way the band shaped the music industry. The song’s lyrics reflect themes of nostalgia and loss, which McCartney undoubtedly felt in performing it live. Given the circumstances surrounding its creation—Lennon’s passing and the long delay before the song’s completion—the performance was deeply sentimental for both McCartney and the audience.
This event also reflects McCartney’s ongoing connection to the Beatles’ past while embracing the present. Despite his vast solo career, McCartney has continued to honor the Beatles, maintaining their place at the heart of his musical journey. The song itself, with its combination of past and present technology, serves as a metaphor for how McCartney and Starr are keeping the Beatles’ spirit alive, even as they age.
The performance also had a sense of catharsis for fans who had been longing for new Beatles material. The last Beatles song to be released before this was “Free as a Bird” in 1995, also featuring John Lennon’s posthumous vocals. McCartney has spoken openly about the emotional toll of working with Lennon’s voice in these posthumous projects, but there is also a sense of fulfillment in continuing the band’s legacy in this way.
“Now and Then” symbolizes more than just another Beatles track; it is a testament to the enduring bond between McCartney, Starr, and Lennon’s memory. It represents a closure of sorts, a celebration of what the Beatles were, and an acknowledgment of how the technology of today can bring long-lost ideas to fruition. As McCartney’s performance proved, the Beatles’ influence remains as powerful as ever, even if the band itself is no longer together in the traditional sense. This moment in music history allows fans to connect with the past while celebrating the future of the Beatles’ legacy.
