NOW AND THEN and How People React To It |

[@dinovesh]

Hi, I am one of the people, you have used a clip of to show how fans reacted. First of all, I do not make videos to attract subscribers, I do them to express my feelings and thoughts,talk about something I love dearly and share my collection and events. I travelled to Liverpool the day Now and Then was first going to be played as I wanted to re visit Beatles houses, haunts and special places to encompass the past. I went to a listening party at The Beatles museum, where around me many and were crying and in some kind of trance, gobsmacked with emotion. Next day I travelled home to watch the video and posted my thoughts straight after so they were raw and fresh. I stand by my words 100% and the video, along woth the song has struck a deep chord inside me, It is certainly not the greatest Beatles track ever made, but I am so glad it has been released. Only a short while ago, Covid was ravaging our planet and taking away our loved ones. I find this track a beautiful form of therapeutic healing and it seems very apt. I feel many fans have over reacted, but each to their own and like I say I am so glad it has been released. It is simple and beautiful, and it makes me happy as well as breaking my ❤ at the same time.

[@thewalrus6833]

The late Carl Perkins revealed that when he was working with Paul in 1982 on his Tug Of War album, Linda McCartney told Carl that the last time she and Paul visited John at the Dakota apartments, as they were leaving John put his hand on Paul's shoulder and said ' think of me every now and then '. This might explain why Paul wanted to get the song finished and why he interprets the song in this way. I disagree with the comments about John's voice being drowned out by the bass and drums, that's not what I hear, I think the production is spot on. It's not a masterpiece, not every song they made back in the 60s is a masterpiece, but I really like it.

[@lemonysnick5171]

Hear hear

[@daytripper9222]

Agree

[@charlesbronson4282]

This was before Yoko had Paul busted for drugs in Japan while on tour

[@galtsghost4454]

I love it. It’s 2023, and we have a melancholy Beatles song that transcends time. It’s haunting, beautiful, sad, and eternally hopeful all in the same tune. The technological wizardry is a bonus. Says “Beatles” to me.

[@buttercup1765]

Yes ...I can see Matt's point of view, but I do love the song and video.

[@galtsghost4454]

Yup. He’s entitled to his opinion, as are we all,

[@CaptainDarrick]

Galtghost ....I love it too mate . ..it stands in its own merits . It was never meant to be a Hey Jude or Let it be ...it is what it is ....a marvellous summation of a simple melody, rather haunting and melancholic, but brought back to life by the wonders of technology and gifted people ...The sad evil world we are living in today is a little bit brighter for its existence...I can't believe people don't grasp it this way

[@PaulReiners]

It is haunting, beautiful, and sad, but that's true of much of the best of John's solo work. I think you could definitely say that about "#9 Dream". But "#9 Dream" says "John" to me more than "Beatles".

[@PaulReiners]

@@galtsghost4454 The point is that it's not all just opinion. Some songs are objectively better than others. You can argue about these things. You don't have to simply throw your hands up in the air after discussing it and say it's all simply opinion.

[@wewin_inonog]

Beyond the "shortcomings" of the technicalities and musicality of this piece, the real beauty of this song is the context behind making it and the circumstances of the people involved in completing this record. A true masterpiece draws people into it and allows the beholders to somewhat make it their own. This song, like most of the Beatles' greatest tunes did not fall short in doing just that. Long live the Beatles!

[@MrGman2804]

I agree with you. I think Matt has made some very good and valid points, and I think the video has helped me get sucked in, but I do like the song. What I will feel in 10 years? We'll find out, but I am very pleased Paul and Ringo made the effort to finish it, because they certainly don't need the money!

[@seagullshame]

I enjoy the song and I’m really glad it exists. As for the reaction videos, some are disingenuous and some are sincere. It just depends. I like to think it’s possible to discern the difference, but sometimes it’s not. I try not to be too cynical about these things. I’m glad the Beatles are in the spotlight right now and if they get some new fans from this then I consider that a good thing.

[@jayburdification]

I had low expectations going in also, and I was very pleasantly surprised. Considering what they had to work with, I think Paul and Ringo (and Giles) knocked it out of the park. I don’t know what it is people aren’t hearing. It’s charming, and it pulled at my heartstrings. It’s not his catchiest melody, but it’s very John and his singing was a bit unpredictable in a good way. Sure, it needed polishing, but so did many of the songs the Beatles rushed out back in the day. That doesn’t take away from the charm of unpolished songs like “Wait” or “It’s Only Love.” I’m also greatly impressed with Jackson’s (WETA) machine learning tech that has the capability of bringing John Lennon‘s voice out properly to the front where it belongs. This was always my problem with Free as a Bird (and Real Love to a lesser degree). Something sounded off and distant about his voice, because it was a rather hastily made demo with a lot of noise. But now that they have the capability of truly separating voices from instruments and noise, and creating a separate track for each, I wish they would go back to the other two songs and fix them now.

[@benmeltzer]

They should go back (with Lynne) and with this new technology do new mixes of those songs.

[@keriford54]

Agreed. Free as a bird and Real Love were the best they could do at the time given the nature of the original demo. That's no longer the case, they are now really in need of a remix. Which might also mean some new piano parts from Paul.

[@ontheruntonowhere]

@@keriford54 No to adding new instrumentation. Yes to remixing John's vocals and especially to removing that horrid Jeff Lynne gate reverb from Ringo's snare.

[@keriford54]

@@ontheruntonowhere John's piano was locked into the original recording, it was meant as a demo to show the shape of the song, not as a part in a the final song. Paul would base any piano part around John's but he could then do something that is suitable for the arrangement as a whole. Likely it would be more discrete than the current parts. Paul has judgement and wouldn't try to drown out anything of George's and a large part of the joy of working on these is tuning into John's ideas. Agree about toning down the gate reverb on Ringo's snare.

[@ontheruntonowhere]

@@keriford54 I hear you but I rather like the existing piano. Now, if they can clean _that_ up with Jackson's magic box, it'd be super cool. But I think both of those songs are perfect as is, aside from the mixing difficulties and - barf - that snare. I love Jeff but that is not a Beatles snare.

[@johnpierce4742]

I love this song and video! I find it hard to believe the number of negative criticisms this beautiful piece of art has recieved. I think sometimes people get turned off by "slickly" produced music, but the Beatles were ALWAYS pushing the technological boundaries, and this track is no exception. Kudos to all involved in this exemplary project and may Beatlemania live on FOREVER!!

[@zsatsfm]

Totally agree, I can't imagine a more appropriate song to end the Beatles career.

[@2LegsAPaulMcCartneyPodcast]

Thanks for the plug pal!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Anytime.

[@Springheeledjim5]

Andy, YOU have NO emotional heart!!

[@robertmyers6859]

I AM A SEVENTY YEAR OLD MAN LEARNED TO PLAY DRUMS BECAUSE OF RINGO ON THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. THE BEATLES HAVE BEEN A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE I DON'T TAKE A BACK SEAT TO ANY ONE AS A FAN. THIS SONG AND VIDEO CHOKED ME UP AS WELL. THEY ALL WORKED ON IT THEY DID THE BEST THEY COULD IT'S A BEATLE SONG. MY GOD PEOPLE IT'S A PRESENT AND A HEART FELT GOODBYE

[@randallsd]

I'm 67 and feel exactly the same way.

[@jerryhahn7206]

76 and choked me up - a lot. It’s been a while.

[@vivlund]

I think people who don’t understand the emotional responses of others to the video must not be very empathetic. Everyone has people they’ve lost or miss and this song hits those heartstrings.

[@Chicago_Podcast_Authority]

This song did very little for me when first played on my tv and phone. Once I played it on my main sound system it started to improve each spin. Now I really enjoy it and find it a very appropriate conclusion to their legacy. Much better than Real Love was before this was released

[@charlover]

Normally agree with you and always enjoy your posts, you really put in the work, and it's always well done. Agree to disagree on this one, the song has been an earworm in my head since I heard it. The video brought everything the original fans (older than you) who were teens or pre-teens experienced when they exploded on the scene. The Beatles are an emotional experience we lived through in real time, not something we studied and wrote term papers on, or discovered with the Red & Blue album in 1973, or in our parents record collection in the attic. Getting clicks can be done by positive reviews or negative, the Beatles always get clicks, I'm subcribed to you so I know if you have a new Beatles post, like today. Ultimately no right or wrong...but I loved your fictional Beatles Lp Album Covers.

[@beatlesfan1964]

"The Beatles are an emotional experience we lived through in real time... " says it well for me and I can concur with the comments from @charlover - at this point though, I'm just gonna watch from the nosebleeds from here on out. Matt's channel remains one of my favourites and I appreciate his efforts. Cheers Beatle Peeps!

[@djdac7451]

Right on target! How anyone who calls themselves, even a remote fan of the Beatles, could not be moved emotionally by this song, is a complete mystery to me.

[@roxorange6022]

For me it's one of those songs that grows on you the more it is listened to. There are more invested people than me who can discuss forever what kind of song it is and it's place in the Beatles legacy so I'll leave that to them. But just listening to it as a song it definitely has me crying over people I miss - my parents, a loved one who committed suicide, relatives and friends who died of cancer or in accidents, people I've lost touch with. And that for me is what a song is all about. When John wrote it he was probably thinking of all the people he missed in life - not unlike In My Life. Art is a magic inkblot test - we see what we see, and it tells us about ourselves more than it does the artwork. In that sense this one has done it's job. As for the video, I have one little gripe in that I think Peter Jackson inserted himself too much with the humorous clips of John. Being a Kiwi I kind of know what Jackson is like! It may have been an attempt to lighten an otherwise heavy song but I think it took away something from the gravitas of the piece. A little bit of humour to show John's quirkiness sure, but I would have liked more of a reflection of the song - maybe a few clips of Julia, Stuart, Mimi, Brian etc.

[@canadianstudmuffin]

Thanks for not including me in one of the thumbnails, Matt. 😃 I certainly agree about SOME of the reaction channels going overboard,and the over the top thumbnails, and not just for The Beatles. I personally love the song, even though the lyrics are simple. I also love "Why Don't We Do It In The Road" and "Wild Honey Pie" and lyrics for those songs are very simple. I originally gave the song an 8, but after watching the video (and hearing the song a few more times) it is a 10 for me. I saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show at the age of 6, so yes there is nostalgia involved, but that can't be helped. The Beatles are the only band where I love all of their songs. There are people who genuinely love the song, and I am one of them. As you know, I've posted a reaction to your thoughts on my channel.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Larry, I DO consider your reaction videos sincere, partly because I know you a little bit and trust that your opinions are genuine. I think the lyrics are bad even if they are simple. I pulled them up and read them and they do not translate to the page well at all. I knew I would get some backlash on this one but I wasn't gonna lie about it! 🙂 Thanks, man!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Well Dan, isn't your final cheap shot "terribly unfair and nasty"? How is this any different that me commenting on 2Legs? It reminds me of a Charles Bukowksi quote.

[@canadianstudmuffin]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Thanks Matt. I'm posting a reaction to this video on my channel today, but it's just to explain my thoughts on all of this instead of typing out a novel, ha ha.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

@@canadianstudmuffin Sounds good Larry. I’ll touch base too about you guesting on my channel! Talk soon.

[@ChordtoChord]

If John had fleshed out "Now and Then" perhaps this resurrection of the song would been even better. But I think all the parties involved greatly aided an imperfect song. I'm glad it was done. The wistful quality of the song resonates with our own wistful feelings, having lost John and our youth. I don't mind the negative responses to it. The new "Now and Then" gives us much to roll over in our minds. Good grist for the mill. Others will no doubt take Lennon's vocal track and create their own interpretations. That's just life in the 21st century.

[@TwitchyTopHat1]

The idea of thousands of musicians worldwide all trying to finish John's last song is a nice thought

[@JimmyNotes]

As someone who has waited 15 years to hear this song (I first learned about it in 2008), I absolutely loved it. I knew that it could only be better than the demo and well, I loved the demo. My only wish is that Paul would have added his own verse or middle 8 section. I guess being someone who loves "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love" I was also going to love this song.

[@harrychandler6670]

I heard the song. I emotionally reacted to the song. I like the song. All the social media reaction, rather it be positive or negative should have no affect on..........."I like the song." I feel no need to give this song a higher purpose or place than........."I like the song".

[@cynthiaforsythe8989]

That’s so true. I was around when every new Beatles single and album came out. We didn’t analyze. We LISTENED to the Beatles on repeat. The radio stations PLAYED the Beatles on repeat. That’s how you fell in love with a new Beatles song. And it works in 2023 as well !

[@LarsOleBergersen]

The song is effectively arranged. It has beautiful chords and key changes; simple yet intriguing to analyze. The Em/G is a good hook. The choir samples from Because etc is beautiful. Good pop craft. And it does not sound like a Beatles song. It's a Lennon song lovingly treated by Paul, Ringo (and George), Giles Martin and Peter Jackson. I was touched.

[@FuturCrayon]

its Am / G6 :)

[@TonyAndrews1]

@@FuturCrayontomayto, tomato :-) Rick Beato called it Em/G too.

[@FuturCrayon]

@@TonyAndrews1 A Em over G is a G6. It's a chord, there's no hook there

[@TonyAndrews1]

Hmm. There's no D in an Em/G though. @@FuturCrayon

[@FuturCrayon]

@@TonyAndrews1 That's why its a G6, there's a D in the chord

[@jpollackauthor]

My son is 10 years old and his musical tastes are pretty much limited to video game music scores - and there's nothing wrong with that, it's just the times we now live in - but he overheard me listening to "Now And Then" the day it came out, and he's been singing it around the house ever since. I've caught him playing both the 2023 version and John's original Dakota demo on KZbin while he plays Roblox, and in a move that stunned me, he approached me a few days ago and said, "Dad - why do you think they left the 'I don't want to lose you' part out of the new one?" That's the power of the Beatles. My son is in fourth grade, isn't a huge rock music fan, and knows nothing about the social context and importance of Beatlemania from a historical perspective - and yet, he absolutely adores this song to the point that he's started researching the story of it on his own. This is why the Beatles will live forever. God bless Paul, Ringo, George, Jeff, and Giles for completing this song for John.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

That is good to hear, thanks for sharing!

[@vivlund]

I think some people like your son can pick up on the emotions John conveys in his demo and we can feel his deep pain. Especially in the “I don’t want to lose you” bridge. My daughter, who is a music major, who just graduated college, listened to the demo and the new version with me, and she said that for her, the song “took off” at the “lose you” bridge and she was sad that it was left off l the new version. I agree. I think this song is one of the most emotionally powerful that John ever wrote, and boy, could he write emotional songs.

[@WhizzRichardThompson]

If the song and video acts as a catalyst for mainly younger people, unaware of the Beatles legacy to explore and appreciate their catalogue, then I'm all for it.

[@SpuzzyLargo]

This first generation fan LUVS the song and the video. It comes off to me as The Beatles' final "thank you" to their fans. That final bow; "The Beatles" lights turning off. Well done!

[@gripweed313]

I think Paul gave his answer to us when he premiered the song on The Beatles' channel, "If you don't like it, too bad," lol Enjoyed your video as always.

[@andyallan2909]

This song is much better than I'd anticipated, and strangely it's growing on me the more I play it, like lots of real music did back in the 60's. The title of the album it's placed on is, "The Beatles 1967-1970," therefore, 'Now and Then,' definitely does not belong, as it comes from beyond 1970. Perhaps if they'd also re-named the re-vamped albums and changed the titles to the more commonly used names, 'The Red Album' and 'The Blue Album,' and dropped the dates, but even then I, personally, don't think it fits. Having said that, I am quite happy to receive this song on the same terms as we received, "Free as a Bird," and "Real Love," and having said that I'd be happy to see it placed on a new edition of 'Anthology 3.' On the 'Beatles Canon' question people mean different things by the word. I would say, no-one disputes "Revolution 9" being considered Canon (despite being nothing like anything else); no-one disputes "The Ballad of John and Yoko," despite only John and Paul being on the recording (and Ringo and George having no say - only finding out about it after the event); no-one disputes "Yesterday" despite Paul being the only one on it. So, on that basis, "Now and Then," is part of the Beatles canon/collection of recordings (whether some like it or not). It is a part of Beatles history (as are all other unreleased demos, jams, out-takes, etc.). This recording is sanctioned by a minimum of two Beatles, as has happened in the past. People can like it, love it or hate it, it doesn't matter. No-one can alter the fact that it is part of Beatles history. What's the big problem? No-one's being forced to buy it and anyone who wants to is free to ignore it. Personally, as a fan since 1962, I'd rather have it than not. Keep up the good work with your channel Matt, love the analysis, the questions you pose and the listener responses.

[@charlyW34]

Hi Matt. I'm going to go ahead and give you the benefit of the doubt here. Either you had far too high expectations for what the final result of the completion of the tune would be, or you were simply not in a good frame of mind when listening. I will list a few things here that should warrant at the very least a passing grade . Obviously, the technology is impressive, and hearing John's vocal as clearly as we now do is a treat in itself. As always with John, the fact that this was a demo did not keep him from giving a high quality performance. Hearing Ringo and his whip smart attention to "less is more", while still offering intelligent fills confirms his too often disputed status as a GREAT drummer. The instrument arrangements, from Paul's bass line to the full orchestra all serve the song very well. I like the fact that there are layers to the production as it makes for wanting more listens to absorb all that is going on. I can certainly agree that the song is not in the top 50% of Lennon or Beatles compositions, but I do like it more than Free As A Bird. I'm grateful that Now And Then does not have the heavy fingerprints of Jeff Lynn's production style. Also, since there are no other incomplete recordings featuring both John and George, this really was a last opportunity to create a Beatles "vibe", and if it had not been done, most fans would be forever left wondering "what if". I could go on, but I'll stop here and say that even with the obvious shortcomings, I give the "completed" track a solid 7/10. I give Peter Jackson's video a 9.5!

[@PeteA54]

Opinions.....Gotta love 'em! So here's mine. As a 70 year old guitarist that grew up loving the Beatles, this song is wonderful. I did cry listening to it but perhaps that's because I miss the days where music actually had melody! John's chord choices and the added strings make this, in my opinion, a beautiful, authentic Beatles song.

[@charlesmichael190]

It's not fair to accept 'Now And Then' for what it is and never question it, and I appreciate that people have dissenting opinions on this song's release as "the final Beatles song". I have a few gripes though, so I hope to have a very rich discussion regarding this song and Matt's opinions of it. 1. Matt's notion that "Emotion ain't evidence if you're trying to use that as a way to describe whether a song is good or not" is erroneous because emotion is one of the things that makes music resonate with us as human beings. Certain music brings dopamine to the brain, and we shouldn't pretend like it doesn't. It's not fair on those people who make reaction videos to say that they're "feigning crocodile tears" and "pretending like the song has meaning to them". All songs mean something to someone, whether that meaning be "this is extremely profound and resonates with me in a deep and impactful way" or "this song was fucking rubbish and it was mixed badly and it should have been left on the cutting room floor". This is why Paul was so hellbent on finishing this song; it wasn't just "unfinished business" or a "score to settle", but he genuinely felt like this demo that John recorded resonated with him in that way. On a technical level, the song is actually really nice - it uses a lot of minor chords and major lifts that I find really interesting. The lyrics may be a bit simple, but a lot of the early Beatles music had simple lyrics so I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. 2. Matt chalks up the perceived insincerity of those KZbinrs who make reaction videos to be because of their age, that they shouldn't be feining crocodile tears and pretending like this song means something to them "as if they were old enough to have lived during the time when the Beatles were at their most relevant". I'm only 21, I wasn't alive during the 1960s, but The Beatles' music means nearly everything to me because I was exposed to it at an early age, by parents who grew up with it and grandparents who lived through it. The Beatles' history is very rich and compelling, as Mark Lewisohn may demonstrate at any moment he speaks about them, but their music is just as rich and compelling. By this severly flawed logic, any second generation Beatles fans and younger should not feel like The Beatles' music is theirs to enjoy. The thumbnails of those videos may be exaggerated and maybe a few of the clips shown in the video were possibly faked, but it's not really fair to deny young fans of their right to enjoy and feel emotional at the Beatles' music. At least, that's how that statement came off to me. If that's not what Matt meant by this, I will concede. 3. Yes, artists decide what aspects of their work is "canon", hence the canonical 1987 CD releases mostly following the British releases of the albums, bar Magical Mystery Tour and Past Masters. That's why Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are all saying that this is "the final Beatles song", and that this is canonical (even several months before its release). That's why Paul, Ringo and George all decided that 'Free As A Bird' and 'Real Love' are canonical Beatles songs in 1995 and 1996. It's not premature for them to say that at all. 4. One aspect about this release that I haven't seen anyone talk about yet is that, considering my perspective as a 21-year old fan who has loved the Beatles' music since I was 9 years old, this is the only new Beatles single released in my lifetime, and I find that such an underrated fact, and it actually feels really good and very cool to say to my friends, "Hey guys, I just bought the new Beatles single!" Obviously, I was not alive in the 1960s, and I was born just a tad late for the 1990s, but this is unignorable: 'Now And Then' is my generation's Beatles song, and I'm actually quite glad to embrace it. When I first listened to it last Thursday, I didn't cry like many filming themselves did, but I was just floored upon hearing it. It really was an emotional experience, and it's the only time a song released in the 2020s really took my words away. The Beatles mean nearly everything to me, even if I'm too young to have lived during the time when the Beatles were at their most relevant.

[@richeymeister]

Very good points. Having lived through three Macca concerts here in Tokyo it becomes quite obvious the audience for these songs and The Beatles themelves is multi-generational. I'm sure your children will also benefit from the ability to hear everything Beatles, the good, the bad and the ugly. Born in 1955 I lived through this, from looking at the TV while my parent wached them on Ed Sullivan and not appreciating what I was hearing, to my ignorant suprise to learn my new favorite song in '68 was The Beatles and I bought the single of Hey Jude. I was not steeped in their music as my parents only approached it as a part of the fabric of the '60s, but I dove head first into the canon from '68 on. I've never turned back.

[@charlesmichael190]

​@@richeymeister Thank you for your thoughtful words. It's important to hear your perspective on it too, and it proves my point from earlier that The Beatles' music can and should be enjoyed by everyone, old and young. Out of curiosity, how were those concerts? I haven't seen Paul live in person yet, but I know from seeing many volumes of footage filmed over the years that it looks like a very fun experience.

[@stephenosullivan9016]

I’m a 58 year old and think I will alway remember when I played “Now and Then” for the first time! Like you, I didn’t cry, but it was indeed an emotional punch I won’t forget. To that I say how lucky are we! Although I am much older than you I too had to learn about the Beatles post-breakup being I was only five when they did. Do I wish I was 12 watching them on Ed Sullivan for the first time? Over course. BUT EVERYONE has their own “first” time and the effect is really no different. I was captivated by the music. Then by the band themselves. It’s been a journey of happiness as only The Beatles could provide in this sometimes bleak world and it’s still not done! So to you young man I say this: keep absorbing all things Beatles you can and stay true to yourself. Welcome! And remember, nothing is Beatleproof 😉

[@andrewadams841]

Great job, Charles. I'm 40, and the Anthology was my experience like you just had. It was a massive excitement and I was 13. Beatles fan since 8. I had the same feeling back then when it felt disconnected to feel this way about a group that broke up 13 years before my birth. Sure, I got to watch McCartney on Saturday Night Live, and that was a blast. But it didn't hit me like an actual new record did. And you're right to point out some of Matt's hypocrisy here. He claims Beatles fans are insular and elitist in the same video that he is chastizing young people for pretending to love this group. He went ahead and cherry-picked the lowest-hanging fruit on KZbin to make his point about young fans. Ridiculous. I'm tired of content creators always talking about other creators as if we viewers really care what they think about their colleagues. It's all over KZbin now. Matt doesn't realize he's only offering them exposure anyway, he took their bait. There's nothing more insular than KZbinrs who only want to talk about KZbin and other KZbinrs. How ironic. But I'm glad you had this experience. In '96 there were many boomers who felt that shouldn't have happened either. But the Anthology documentary really kept a lot of that criticism at bay. That's something you might not imagine at your age, but in '96 the Anthology played live on ABC in the US, and you had to set your VCR to record it and still needed to sit there and babysit the thing to make sure nothing went wrong with recording it. It was the era of "appointment TV" and the Beatles were definitely that. Cancel all plans and sit down to watch the opening of the first episode, then at the end was the music video of the song that all were to hear for the first time, Free As A Bird. The following Tuesday, two days later, the CDs were released. I stayed home "sick" and my mom came home early to give me the copy. The rest of my day was planned out from there. Experiences like that stick with you forever.

[@DandanGallagher]

@@andrewadams841 buddy, I hear you. I'm 43 and that's exactly how it went down for me in 1995 when I was 15 years old. You nailed it! It forever changed my life. I'm a musician because of the Anthology and it's hard to overstate how fantastically influential they were in my entire life. I'm glad the new generation can live something like this even if not as strong as we had the whole docuseries and the 3 double CDs plus the BBC Live CDs to back up the "new" Beatles singles. BTW, I don't really remember anyone talking trash about Free as a Bird and Real Love but then again there was no internet at the time.

[@heidiwags]

My thoughts: - How COULD you separate the nostalgia??? We are listening AND looking at a song/video of a musician who died decades ago, and another since then, mixed with the other two who are still with us. In harmony. With amazing footage, old and new, how can you NOT feel nostalgic?? - It is NOT the same as 1995!!!! Ya think the technology is better? Uh, yeah a little!!! - This song isn’t very strong??? “What else do you have but nostalgia?” Sooo much more! Just listen! - How DARE you minimize people’s reactions/feelings/emotions to what they are listening to and/or watching?? “Drowning in a sea of their own tears”. Because they are human! They have a heart! - You didn’t have live back in the 60’s/70’s to appreciate the Beatles!!! You are putting down the next generation of fans! How do we expect the legacy of the Beatles to continue if we don’t EMBRACE new, younger listeners?? - As an AVID 2Legs fan, I can say with utmost confidence that Andy was NOT trying to “control a narrative”!! You DO have to understand what this song is for the LEGACY of the whole Beatles career! I totally agree! - Andy said “If you accept it on those terms you won’t be disappointed”. I agree! - I’m just saying, you did NOT get a Master’s degree in Liverpool like Andy did. - Andy is not an elitest OR condescending!! If you spent five minutes with him, you would know that! - What Mitch Axelrod is saying, what he ACTUALLY said, was just enjoy it for what it is! - The best part of this video was all the 2Legs clips! Thanks for that!!

[@akadros310]

He used a clip from Rebeka Luīze Budlevska's reaction and claimed she was being insincere. I had already watched through this reaction as well as some others that she had done. Maybe I a mistaken but she seemed genuinely emotional about this when watching the whole reaction. I had seen a few other of her reaction videos and don't recall her ever crying. Again I can be wrong about that but in general I don't see a problem with this if it helps younger generations to understand the genius of the Beatles.

[@Rollietom890]

I was 14 when I first heard "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" so the Beatles' music is permanently seared into all my teenage memories. That's something the teary-eyed youngsters you showed clips of simply can't possibly relate to so maybe this is as close as they can get to the real thing. (Considering what's being passed off as pop music today they're probably not used to being exposed to material that's timeless.) Truth be told, their reaction to this "new" song is akin to what I felt upon initially hearing every new Beatles LP in the 60s. I think this tune's okay, but I agree with you, it's not a Fab Four number. It's a mediocre Lennon composition that the two remaining members have done the best they could to present it respectably. I certainly don't have a problem with that. But what it does for me, overall, is to even have more gratitude for my being alive and aware when they were constantly kicking the world's collective rear end with every new release. Nothing can take those thrilling memories away from me.

[@Onteo1]

As an original fan, my first thoughts were we finally got closure especially with the words final song. If you look back all we got was “The long and winding road” and that came with no fanfare and always a little hope of a potential reunion. It wasn’t a last goodbye, the door was always open. Looking back, I too am glad that a reunion never happened the legacy was intact. That said, it does not belong on the blue album and I view it along with the other 1995 songs an addendum of sorts. Nice review and honesty is always appreciated.

[@GroovinRecord96]

I find the song lovely! There are other Beatles tracks with only one or two Beatles on it, or where The Beatles play alternative instruments compared to their usual roles. An example of this is Yesterday, or Taxman’s guitar solo by Paul. Secondly, it has a very Beatle-esque string arrangement, bass part, piano part, etc. Additionally as an avid young Beatles fan, I find the reaction amongst a new generation to be so warming and encouraging. Why should we be complaining about this reaction? There is a reason we keep talking about them 60 years later!

[@akadros310]

I 100% agree with this. It almost feels like he is trying to gatekeep a little bit. Let the Beatles appeal to a new generation. If by doing reaction videos is how they do it, then that is ok.

[@jeffreyroedel9804]

Only thing George plays on A Day in the Life is maracas, and that's a Beatles' classic! He's not on She's Leaving Home or Ballad of John and Yoko at all, etc. Here he plays three guitar tracks for Now and Then, and of course he's heard in the backing harmony samples. I think George's contribution level is just fine :)

[@kristian_goddard]

Because of the Internet this song is either the greatest record ever released or the shittest thing ever recorded. It’s okay. Ultimately, it’s a very minor Lennon song. I’m glad it exists and am happy that people have had something to be excited about. I totally appreciate your measured perspective, Matt.

[@Cpayne30]

Thanks for this video. I don't so much mind the song (I believe it's worthy of the catalog and decent at least), but I was frankly appalled at the video - and even more appalled at some fans' trashing of people that didn't like it. People who dislike the video are not lacking soul or anything. Never heard stuff like that from any fandom before, really!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

This is common in any fandom unfortunately and many KZbinrs don’t speak their mind because of the backlash. Not towing the company line means loss of subscribers which means a loss of income. Thankfully I have built a base of more academic viewers who respect my opinions even though they may not always agree with them. Thanks for commenting.

[@geralyndesuasido4870]

Now and then (song and video) is an amazing piece of work (a blending of art and technology), and a super treat for fans (like me) of the greatest band of all time! Beatles Forever 💚💙🧡💜

[@darrenheath23]

On first listen I gave it a 6/10. After subsequent listens it crept up to around a 7.5. My main gripe is the mix! The drums are hidden, it's muddy and it's too compressed. Mixed by multi Grammy award winning mixer Mike Stent. But how did this mix get approved? Bizarre.

[@FortYeah]

Agree. We can't really distinguish the back vocals and it's too busy and muddy in the B part, there is no air.

[@richeymeister]

That was my only gripe. Is seemed not to give them oom to breathe. That said, on further listening I hear details in the mix that might have lead to that decision. It ages well in the modern term.

[@jeffgultch934]

I, myself, feel the John Lennon demo is the true feeling he meant it to be. His soft singing with just the piano has a very soulful feeling. I feel Paul over orchestrated the song so much it kills the feeling John would have liked it to have. My last thought if you want a real Beatles tune, I look at the Anthology 3 song "Not Guilty". Now that's a blow your socks off song. Just my opinions. Being a 72 year old hippie, I think I have an unique insight and thought I'd share my opinion. I don't expect anyone else to have my insights so all I can say is Rock On!

[@venderstrat]

You're channeling John?

[@jeffgultch934]

I didn't think I was doing that. I have my point of view being a long-time Beatles fan going back to when the Beatles started. I guess I'd use words from a Beatles song:"I Got a Feeling". When you go back to what I wrote at the end of my writing I said it's just my opinion.

[@darlenegriffith6186]

​@@jeffgultch934From a 70 yr.old hippie here, rock on back at ya!

[@jeffgultch934]

@darlenegriffith6186 Same to you, Darlene!

[@winston4339]

Paul used the song for his own purposes. The song had nothing to do with Paul or the Beatles.

[@rifyrafi]

The song gave fans tears of joy all over the place. You think the opposite. I had no idea you know how Paul McCartney really felt about John , the song and his overall intentions. Wow. Mind-blown.

[@Sirala6]

Canon, schmanon. This is two old guys in their 80s where death is more real than ever before looking back at themselves young and powerful. They make believe to have a final moment. Musicologists will see it for what it is, a bittersweet footnote culled from crumbs. Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

[@deut3168]

There are certainly echo chambers and hangers-on out there. But I kinda like the song. My grandparents (as adults) listened to the Beatles. My parents grew up with the Beatles in the 60s. I started listening to the Beatles when the 90s songs came out. Now, my kids like this song and they are listening to more Beatles. I'm glad this has bridged 4 generations of my family.

[@brettweary8491]

Absolutely

[@mattlonnen8664]

Hi Matt, I admire your honesty. I agree with some of what you say - however I side with Rick Beato on this one. Not the best Beatles song but I am glad it is out there and I for one think that it is a fitting end to the Beatles legacy. Cheers Matt

[@darrenselector7729]

Removing emotion from a musical experience is an interesting take. I think the strength of The Beatles, especially Lennon is emotion.

[@novastorm]

Emotion is part of listening to music.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

It can be a strength but it's not all there is to Lennon. The fanboys featured on the podcast would be unable to talk about anything non-emotional, which is a shame.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

​@@triplejazzmusicisall1883 I really appreciate the time to you took to weigh in on this topic - a topic that begs for discussion in multiple areas. I agree that one should be able to critique on the quality of a song with out regard to the backstory/marketing. The fact that doing so brings the fanboy youtube world to its knees is interesting in itself. I am sorry to hear that you have avoided commenting in fear of backlash. This is precisely the reason I brought up Andy Nicoles comments because if you dare to disagree with some fans (or KZbinrs), you are told you “don’t have an emotional heart in you.” This kind of behavior is just another form of bullying, silencing, and condescension, where we see the perpetrators hide behind a wall of emotion to protect their inflammatory words. This is childish behavior that you rightly point out is how society has become: “my truth” is now “the truth” and if you don’t agree with “my truth” then you are a “hater" or “not a fan.” Truth is there for those who seek it. I appreciate the comments.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

@triplejazzmusicisall1883 They don't call out George, they just accept the spin, "George was saying that about the tape quality - not the song quality." People _want_ to believe that stuff and there are plenty channels who will cater to them. Those people are removing themselves from those who want to have a more mature conversation. You are always encouraged to speak your mind here.

[@pennyparkin]

Matt, you’re analysis is thoughtful and honest. Appreciate your integrity! Personally this song has a wistful quality… not a great melody, very simple lyrics…. But John Lennon’s heart shines through and that’s enough for me, just hearing his voice

[@jase6370]

Totally disagree. It's a beautiful song. Wonderful chords, fantastic production, great moods and a killer bridge section with the strings and slide guitar. It doesn't matter if its a typical beatles song, it wonderful in its own right.

[@jayburdification]

By Beatles standards, I’d call it a solid B-side. And you know, this was 1980. John had a lot of A-side material that he was sitting on for his own damn self. And he specifically identified this song as something that he might want to collaborate with Paul on at a future date. Otherwise, he never would have written “For Paul” on the tape. Which is why I have no problem with Paul taking it in his own direction. He made the right call by getting rid of the middle 8. It might’ve worked as an album cut, but never on a single, or even a B-side.

[@gregwilliams3120]

@@jayburdification Who said John wrote "for Paul" on the tape? Why would John write that on a crappy homemade demo in the late '70s? I'm sure it was Yoko or one of her archivists who wrote that.

[@jayburdification]

@@gregwilliams3120 Yoko said it had “for Paul” written on it. Did you even watch the film?

[@gregwilliams3120]

@@jayburdification what film are you referring to? The short documentary that accompanied the release? Nowhere in that does anyone say John wrote "for Paul" on the demo tape. I have no doubt the demo handed over to Mccartney had "for Paul" written on it. I don't for one second believe it was written by John.

[@jeanmenard3060]

​@@jayburdification: it's not even a " z " side !!! It is a shame that this song ever cane out ! I am a music teacher and a great Beatles fan. But this is one of the worst song i ever heard, because it comes from the Beatles !

[@ceedoubleyou]

at last a review, that reflects my thoughts on this song, I'm also with George Harrison, they should have left it on the cassette tape. But Rick Beato's review is one of the best,

[@allenf.5907]

Rick Beato sings praises of it.

[@thomosburn8740]

Ha, Matt got up on the wrong side of the bed for this one, LOL For me, the win is Giles' string arrangement. I get a kick out of it with each listen.

[@analogblues]

Yeah, that string arrangement is fantastic!!

[@globalmonkey007]

With respect, I couldn't disagree with you more on this one, Matt.

[@hiphopdylan]

Now and Then has got 21M views in 4 days...You don't get that many views so fast if the track isn't good because it requires people to give it multiple repeated views, not just one or two views out of curiosity .. Free as a Bird has 32M and Real Love has 26M after a few decades...

[@Matthew-ve7uv]

Well, to be fair, those songs came out decades before KZbin -- the "views" for them would include the people who bought the records and played them. But yes 21M is impressive

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Look at Taylor Swifts views or Drake. They dwarf the Beatles views. Does that mean the song is "good"?

[@MissAstorDancer]

It's not the song that gets the views, it's the name, and the hype over the "last Beatles song".

[@hiphopdylan]

@@popgoesthe60s52 I was just comparing with the two other new Beatles songs...I think that's a fair and informative comparison...

[@hiphopdylan]

@@MissAstorDancer There was a huge amount of hype about the first new Beatles song Free as a Bird and no one expected there to be any more after Real Love...

[@quinnspears3135]

It is special in the fact that, it is a brand new Beatles song or product that has been released in my lifetime, i appreciate it for that too, I was a newborn in 1995 when anthology was going on and when the other two songs were released, so, I didn’t get to experience that, but I’m here and able to experience this. And yeah, I find that truly special.

[@GTifft1]

For me, as a Beatle fan (I'm 67 yo), I see this as a moment of closure. I don't need to analyze it to have it be an important work. The only time I ever cried at the death of a musician, was when John was murdered. For me, this brings me a solace that has been missing since his death. Now and then...I miss him.

[@erniericardo8140]

Thats the thing some people are over-analyzing this wonderful song and getting all uptight , instead of celebrating and being thankful for everything good The Beatles have given us.

[@ricardodiazdeleon6133]

As a fan I enjoy the song, I don’t mind if people like it or not or if it’s the “best” of Lennon or the Beatles. To me (and I am the final decider when it comes to my tastes as well as what I like or dislike) it is a good song, it touches a sensible fiber in my case. Now am I 70 years of age? No. Am I a big fan? Yes. So who cares if I literally grew up with them or not at the same time as they were writing music together? Rick Beato or any “specialist” does not represent me, nor do all those other people who were crying. I love this song for whichever reason simply cuz I’m entitled to. Period.

[@novastorm]

That's what music is all about, let us each have our own take without being judgmental. The Beatles are universal, they transcend generations. Every fan base has some snobs that are easily tickled.

[@fhb3]

Don't lump all of these younger fans' feelings on Now And Then together. Some of them DO appear to be sincere..

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I don't lump them all. Certainly some are sincere, but some certainly are not and think it is fair to point that out since no one else will.

[@rareosts5752]

​@@popgoesthe60s52sure, that's what reaction KZbinrs do. They overreact and they like everything, many are insincere. It has nothing to do with the Beatles and everything to do with that type of channel. That shouldn't become a factor in how people view the song. Now it seems like people are doing some silly tribalism stuff on the song because they're annoyed by reaction KZbinrs, which makes no sense.

[@tavonnorris8910]

I grew to appreciate the song since it came out, now we may have few KZbin reactors really using this for clickbait because of the sad faces but there are some on KZbin that feel genuine emotions not just for the sake of views or have some sort of nostalgia of the band that many people like me never was around the time when the band were dominating in the 1960's. Retrospectively, I'm grateful that it's out there in the public, credit to Paul for commitment for finishing the song for the timing, would John and George accept the finalized version, we don't know because they're no longer here with us. Giving my flowers and appreciation to Paul and Ringo while they still here. But I treat the song next to "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love" as canonical, is it up there with their catalog from the '60's....NO! Is it the the best songwriting that blew everyone's minds, NO! Is it complex and very progressive reminisce of "A Day in the Life", "Within You Without You", "I Am the Walrus", "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Eleanor Rigby" or "Something"... ABSOLUTELY NOT!' In the end, I genuinely like the song more times listening to it and enjoyed for what it is, as a music lover and a Beatles fan grateful and blessed to be alive to listen to what Paul, Ringo and Giles Martin put their touch on it even the video directed by Peter Jackson, music is subjective at the end of the day whether people online or offline like it or not, love it or hate it, mixed feelings or conflicted, music is what brings everybody together and that's what The Beatles' legacy is all about love, peace and togetherness.

[@DonHamlin]

Right on Matt! As a 60 year old, lifelong Beatles fan, I wholeheartedly agree with every point you made.

[@dakotafarm1]

Wow, I can't believe the intolerance and hate in a lot of these comments. It used to be that if a person had a different or dissenting opinion they were respected for their right to say it. No one can claim you don't like the Beatles, and there are great Beatles songs and also some that are filler. There's no reason for people to get so ridiculously offended and nasty because somebody else doesn't agree with them. Thanks for your channel and keep up the good work.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Dakota. This is a topic (intolerance of differing opinions within Beatle fandom) that needs to be addressed. It's strange that someone can respond so aggressively to another point of view.

[@daviddryden8088]

The thing that intrigued me the most is the technology that separated John's voice and made it so clean and bright. Considering the source that was no small task. I recently saw a video here on YT about Live At The Hollywood Bowl and what a nightmare those recordings were at the time. I think trying to tackle a huge project with this new technology such as that live album would be, if they could do it, more impressive than fixing a two track cassette recording. Couldn't agree more about the YT reality bullshitters!!

[@yuuya2111]

I love both the song and the video. Yes, at first they were a bit corny. However, the more I listen to Now and Then the more I like it. I don't have any high expectations. I just want to hear John's crystal clear voice after years of listening to the muddy demo and see Paul and Ringo together again. And I have it. Now And Then has lots of sentimental values to me, and I believe it was made for fans, not critics.

[@FiremanSam60]

I think it's worthy and I enjoy listening to it. It has a nice feel and a couple of really uplifting moments. As for legacy, I don't think it tarnishes anything. It works as a song, for me anyway.

[@namesameasu]

With all due respect, I highly disagree with you here. Ignoring the final product, it's a very catchy song (proven by the faster tempo 1964 Ed Sullivan mimicked version put out by a fan). It has always been one of my favorite of John's unfinished demos since I first heard it on a bootleg in the 2000s. To say that the fan reactions are insincere is a big reach. I believe it will appeal to a lot of modern pop and R and B fans, just as a contemporary Beatles song should do. The orchestrations are fantastic. Btw, if George thought the actual song was rubbish, he would've vetoed the song right away. I believe it was the poor demo quality that George finally vetoed. I do respect the fact that you dislike the song though, and thank you for your sincerity regarding that aspect. I'll be looking forward to future videos :). I usualy agree with you, but not so much this time around.

[@CoincidenceNoticer]

The Beatles are legendary because they broke up during their prime and didn't release rubbish 70s albums when everyone would've been sick of them. Their honesty with each other also allowed them to work on the songs as a group to improve their compositions. I don't think George's exception to this song was purely its recording quality but also surely it's clearly not a finished song and Lennon isn't around to improve its state.

[@harlow743]

No one was ever SICK of The Beatles.....In the 70's the individual members wrote some great songs and they would have continued on top for decades......Your comment is one of the most insane I've ever read concerning The Beatles

[@paulmacaree]

Spot on. I think the track lacks the magic and subtlety of the fab 4. I believe in the long run it will go the way of the other 2 tracks; an interesting side show. After Ram, All thing must pass and imagine there was little comparable to the Beatles.

[@instructionaldesigner7310]

@@paulmacaree are you crazy ? The whole Cloud Nine album is great (when we was fab is one of my favorite "Beatles" song of all time. I also like McCartney's coming up, say say say and ebony and ivory better than anything from Ram. Not to mention everything from the Traveling Wilburys is very Beatly and there is great stuff there

[@instructionaldesigner7310]

Dude, the Beatles are legendary because they had 20+ number one hits a whole slew of top 10s AND two of their best songs (while my guitar and here comes the sun) weren't even in the charts. And they did it in 8 years. Absolutely has nothing to do with when they quit

[@dublinbluetune]

I'm 70 years old. I was 15 years old when the Beatles broke up. I like to think they ended their music for real on side two of Abby Road. What a way to go out

[@beebop333]

I have tl admit, i had tears in my eyes. If some people dont know the Beatles and start paying attention to them then that's ok

[@brucehazen8982]

"Forget about the nostalgia" says a man whose channel is all about '60s music 😁

[@popgoesthe60s52]

See if you can set the nostalgia aside to critique the song by itself. I'm surprised how many can't (or refuse?) to do it! Thanks for the comment.

[@brucehazen8982]

I was just gently pulling your leg. I agree with some of what you said. It's (like FAAB and RL) not one of Lennon's top songs, else itd possibly been on Milk & Honey(?). My main criticism is, it seems out place on the new 1967-1970. I'dve been happier had it been billed as (I dunno) 'Paul, George and Ringo's Tribute To John' (or something less clunky). Having said that, I still love the record; to me it somehow has that Beatles magic to it and yes, this sad old fool wept a bit first time I heard it.

[@hughand54]

Some of the younger people were not around when Hey Jude or Sgt Pepper was out.For them this is a new single.Emotion is what music is about,The Beatles never returned with only 2 memebers in this band and 2 in another band,calling theselfs The Beatles,it would have been the 4 or none.There are bands going around with only one original member or two calling them original. No,it may not be the strongest song written but it still pulls you into the Beatles legacy.Paul and Ringo were alway careful about making hype from the Beatles.I like how the vocals are strong,and unlike some dont get drowned out by the instruments.

[@nicksyrett]

Wrong again! One day I hope to agree with something you say. It’s a beautiful, evocative, uplifting song. I love it and so do millions of others.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I'm often wrong.

[@bobf6763]

Matt, thanks for the input, a worthy criticism of the phony KZbin content cretors who offer up fake tears in exchange for clicks. That said, it's OK to judge a song emotionally when merited, and once in a while a small dose of nostalgia can be restorative. Beatles "scholorship" is all well and good, it can certainly add important context, but as a Beatles fan since their Ed Sullivan debut in '64, their music was a gift to my soul and spirit long before I ever read the Hunter Davies Beatles pre-breakup biography. To me, 'Now And Then' hits the "sweet spot" for me, which is all that matters. 🎸

[@chrisr1733]

Agree. I could hear Flaming Lips/Soft Bulletin in the song. And for every "reaction" video which pops up for me on The Tube Of You, I click "Don't recommend channel." Matt, how you could sift through all that fakery is a testament to your patience.

[@brettoleskow4867]

Here is my take. The best art is art that provokes emotion. Done, The large portion of the Beatles songs were copywritten as Lennon and McCartney songs no matter which one of them came up with the basic portions or even the entirety of the song. It was a musical partnership. Done. The Beatles were all born with a solid work ethic and work diligently to finish every song start to finish which is why there are no vaults of unfinished songs from the Beatles. If something was brought into the studio it was struggled through to put in the final touches and everyone contributed, even if sometimes grudgingly. They gave it their best shot and suggestions. What lifted The Beatles above everyone else was many things but mostly hard work and a positive attitude that was imbedded into them from childhood. The fact that there was a loose end that needed to be tied up was gnawing away at Paul for decades, plus unfilled years of John in his life. So yes, to me this song does epitomize the Beatles, especially the use of AI. ("Oh look, we can cut on four tracks instead of two and loop them? That's cool. Lets see what else we can do.") So Beatle-ish! And John's lyrics are pure poetic art. The John Lennon way of expressing a thought we all feel at one time or another and can't find the words for was his gift. Great Beatles song, and a nice piece of closure for a lot of us.

[@rdfab3]

The “intellectuals”always want to ruin a good feeling and a special moment, and as a songwriter I think it’s a beautiful song and melody…it’s always those who can’t do that have to analyze

[@rareosts5752]

I'm a songwriter, I play many instruments. I can analyze the crap out of the song and I like it very much

[@erniericardo8140]

Exactly, -Over analyzing something thats just a simple beautiful song.

[@richardalvien346]

If it’s deemed a worthy Beatles release by the individual Beatle members or their families, then that’s good enough for me, after all it’s their legacy not ours❤

[@analogblues]

Agreed!

[@thekitowl]

No 1 in the UK .

[@cynthiaforsythe8989]

Well said!

[@alienskinmusic]

AGREED

[@winsfordtown]

Now and Then is consistant with the songs John writing in the late seventies. He just seemed quite melancholic at time as were the songs on Double Fantasy.

[@SAK1855]

John's lyrics, even in Double Fantasy, usually had something concrete to hold onto. But in "Now and Then," there are no wheels to watch go round and round, no woman who understands the child inside the man, no precious life to start over. Lennon almost certainly would not have left the lyrics like that.

[@davemack7577]

So it's not a great Beatles song - but it is so much better than anything else released recently! It is a song that needed to be heard as a reminder that really good songwriter's lesser ideas are better than anything new! Personally I love it!

[@marcchrys]

I understand the urge to react against all the 20-something 'never listened to The Beatles' reaction influencers, but, honestly, I think it's a very positive transformation of the demo tape - and, although obviously not among The Beatles' greatest songs, it's still interesting..and the video is masterfully put together...and, hey, you may be down on emotion, but for a 64 year-old who went to see Help! at the cinema when he was 7, it was very emotional viewing.

[@analogblues]

Same here. Both the music video and the mini-documentary had me tear up. Plus, I very much enjoyed listening to the song on my stereo. I'm glad there's a farewell song from the remaining Beatles via John's solo recording. It suits me just fine. And I'm happy they released it.

[@caavoom]

Thank you for calling these people out.

[@hiphopdylan]

John didn't work further on Free as a Bird either but that is an amazing song... Sometimes artists don't recognise how good their work is...

[@moosic2i]

You have a good point referring to artists work, but in this instance NOW AND THEN is not an "amazing song". Not even close. Not to mention the sub par production!

[@knockedoutloaded279]

John was planning 5 albums into the future,,there is a guitar demo of Bird with extra verses,,so he worked on more of it,,,,,,he just ran out of time,,,,,

[@ewndr7940]

To someone who dislikes most of the Beatles-Solo work his measurement on NAT is no real surprise. Would his life feel better without this song? Maybe. I am happy for minutes of extra Lennon voice haunting me and the last minute of the song with the orchestration. The song gave me 4 good minutes in my life. No bashing needed. Thanks Paul for finishing it.

[@sunguar]

Thanks, Matt for calling out all the B.S. accompanying the new Beatles single. From a Beatle fan of over sixty years, when the "Postman from New York" (a Beatles collector) is crying on his KZbin channel about the new single, I've had enough. When a new Beatles single came out, everyone listened, they were enormous hits. This is average at best.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, sunguar. I'm taking a bit of heat from about 15% of the viewers but I think something needed to be said. It's quite remarkable how a dissenting opinion about a song can trigger so much animosity.

[@sunguar]

@@popgoesthe60s52 I think people's expectations were set too high. And when people's emotions are tied in with it, and you not reacting the way they have, can bring a bit of heat because you are not reinforcing those emotions. I'm glad someone said what you said. The tears are too much.

[@jackkilman8726]

Thank you! I was starting to think I was the only one who saw that the emperor had no clothes where this song was concerned. Sometimes it's best to leave well enough alone.

[@ScaryStoriesNYC]

Wow, if I took clips of other scary stories channels and ran them like this, they would all get my video taken down and get me in trouble for starting fights and for copyright violation. So good luck with this video. I also had low expectations going in, but I found myself surprised to be moved by Paul's tribute or imitation of George on slide guitar. I thought that was very sweet. Jackson was wise to go with Lennon's sense of humor for his video. My friends in real life used words like, "great" to describe the song, and they were not doing that for clicks. Also, the reason it wasn't done in 1996 was they couldn't get the audio separated-- the TV was on in the background and he is playing piano while singing. They needed AI or "machine learning" to do that, so it had to wait till this century. But that's why Paul used Sean on the documentary video-- to insist that John would have liked this being done. Yoko gave them the song, so John would have been fine with it. It's not a great Beatles song, but it's better than "Mister Moonlight" LOL!!!!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I'd say it's a tie with Mr. Moonlight. 🙂

[@DeanJonasson]

Hey, I love "Mr. Moonlight"! It's a very funny song, especially with the organ & bass drum arrangement. It has the added advantage of being played by and approved by all four Beatles.@@popgoesthe60s52

[@Matthew-ve7uv]

Better than Revolution 9, at least? I had heard the demo too and so I couldn't listen to this recording without hearing that, plus a bunch of other lesser "fan-made" versions. I think that people hearing this for the first time have an impression of it we just can't have. For me, the song has grown on me the further away I get from that -- further away from the weight of the past and the nostalgia and all that I built into it. I think it's just a beautiful melody, and their voices all still merge together so perfectly

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

The legacy of the Beatles are the original albums, period!

[@JohnHancotte]

I really enjoyed the song and the production of it. Paul clearly played a major role and wanted to complete this, perhaps for personal reasons and his legacy. I don't mind. He wanted it to be true to the Beatles style, with his Hofner bass lines, the string arrangement with its driving short stabs of chords a la Elanor Rigby, a more refined piano track, slide guitar, backing vocals, ensuring George was included, etc. etc. I love the song. The main problem I see is that this would have been an extra reason to promote and buy Anthology 3, if it had been readied back in the 90's. It really has no place on a reissue of 1967-1970, for obvious reasons. We as Beatle fans don't want this one song on that collection. I personally envision a new EP similar to those of Free As A Bird and Real Love, including some extra found tracks not on the existing Anthologies. Or possibly a full length release with those singles/EPs and Now And Then, so all 3 tracks plus the extras - have to have the extras so that the old fans don't feel slighted by just having the 3 songs by themselves. My suggestion, and of course, this would be released after the older 2 songs get the similar demix/remix treatment to strengthen John's vocals. Now, I'm going into the other room to cry a bit...

[@paoloc.8055]

I'm holding off on buying Now and Then on vinyl because I have faith that Apple's gonna put out something like what you said. An EP with Free as a Bird, Real Love, Now and Then, and any other unknown tracks they can fit in there

[@astrosjer822]

Love the song and they hit a home run. Amazing song and superior to Free as a Bird and Real Love. I was very skeptical until I heard it, and now I love it. Truly worthy of the Beatles name and legacy

[@michael.in.taiwan]

I'm glad you didn't include the Things We Said Today guys in these clips. I have a soft spot for them. My main criticisms are that a) Ringo was known for his subtlety and how he elevated a song through unusual, sublime technique. Here, he sounds like a session player desperate to be heard; and b) On the other two singles (Bird, Real Love) you can hear the individual Beatles in style and substance. Now and Then sounds like a product made by great Beatles enthusiasts, sort of latter-day XTC meets the Rutles. I'm one of those people who say "Glad it exists, glad they finished the Anthology trio of songs" ... but ... it should NOT be on the Blue album. I don't remember this kind of emotion and marketing over the other two singles. I recall they came and went, and are remembered as excellent novelties, but not cannon. Now Peter Jackson is talking about digging out more stuff from Get Back sessions and having Paul and Ringo put out more stuff. That is a very bad road to go down.

[@therealfronzilla]

The one reason why George dismissed it is because you couldn't get John's voice away, isolate, from that piano. Obviously, the technology wasn't there yet either. If he would've have been presented with John's voice in stereo and crystal clear, he would've easily been on board. The song itself feels similar to what Neil Finn would write. The song is fine without quirky word play. Thinking about it more, sometimes the less is, more route is the best one to take. Similar to Ringos drum playing, whatever works best for the song.

[@tonyfox7510]

In 2021, Mark Cunningham, the technical musical consultant to Beatles press officer Derek Taylor, told The Daily Beast what Harrison had told him when Cunningham had asked why the Threetles didn’t record the third song. “He was very critical,” Cunningham said. “He was a real downer about it and said, ‘I wasn’t really interested.’ He said, ‘Apart from the quality, which was worse than the other two, I didn’t think it was much of a song.’”

[@darlenegriffith6186]

For me, the first time hearing Now and Then was when it was accompanied with the video. As someone who has been a Beatles fan all my life, and a 60s child, the song stirred up memories within me that I hadn't thought of in quite a while. However, listening to the song on its own, both the original demo and the 2023 release, did not affect me the same way. It is the coupling of the song with the video that evokes emotion, and stirs up memories from those of us who remember the era of the Beatles. Yet, the song itself is okay for what it is, but certainly not a masterpiece as some have called it - especially when compared to the entire catalog of the Beatles music. All in all, I'm glad that it was released, and we had one more time to collectively experience the Beatles.

[@RonnysMusic]

You get to hear John and Paul 's voices blend together again with Ringos solid beat and fills. Giles Martin sampled Here there and everywhere, Eleanor Rigby and Because for separate bars of background vocals with great precision and he wrote a great string arangement. The song,though simple and concise, is a zen like postcard from John sounding a lot like And I Love Her in a lower key. The ending recalls Wait from Rubber Soul. What I tell all the people who knock this song is- YOU write a better one- then I'll listen to your criticisms. When you're in your '80's you have to do what you can while you can. You go to war with the army you have to quote a politician. Yes I hate all the poseurs milking the likes but I love the main minor key hook of the song. It's stuck in my head good and proper.

[@RonnysMusic]

Also why compare to the greatest songs of the Beatles- how about Little Child, Tell Me What You See, Hold Me Tight, What Goes On, What You're Doing, Blue Jay Way,Baby You're a Rich Man and other mediocre tracks . Not every song was a masterpiece - yet the magic remains.

[@bsarmast]

To have them singing together again, in the middle of a world in chaos, was the highlight of 2023. With them, it's always about more than just the music.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

That's exactly the problem when trying to actually assess the music! Everyone wants to talk about anything BUT the music.

[@howardscott7521]

All I know is that in a world slowly tearing itself apart at the seams, this song gave me 4 minutes of happiness, nostalgia and a bit of longing for a time long since gone. Is it "Day in the Life II"? No. Is it "Ticket to Ride 2.0" No. Does it sound better than 99.999% of what passes for popular music these days? IMHO, absolutely. The trouble with grading anything touched by any compilation of the Beatles is that the bar was set so high that it is surely unreachable at this point, especially when 50% of the band no longer walks the earth. Considering what was there to work with, I think the finished product is an admirable effort by all involved.

[@darlenegriffith6186]

I think it's wonderful that the song brought people together of all ages and backgrounds. The Beatles seem to have had a knack for doing that sort of thing, like when they performed All You Need is Love on global satellite to millions of people in 1967. With all the chaos in the world, it's nice for a change when humanity can unite togethe in listening to beautiful music.

[@erniericardo8140]

Totally agree!!!-Great Post👍✌️

[@kev0802]

I'm glad you're mentionning the Beatles' legacy. Now and Then does not add anything to their legacy. It's a bonus, extra content. It's important for Paul. Saying it's the last word on The Beatles is such a diminishment of what The Beatles are or was. Lennon never approved Real Love or Free as a Bird as Beatles song. Same with Now and Then but you can add George to that. The Beatles are 1963-1970. Lennon said it best : "The dream is over". And it was over in 1970 and for good in 1980. And so, dear friends we'll just have to carry on.

[@nickanderson9695]

Respect the argument. I very much enjoyed the track, and found it very emotional considering all the baggage attached to it. I wouldn’t consider it cannon but I do think it being supercharged with being the “last Beatles song” has snowballed into people treating it differently. I also completely agree that it shouldn’t be included on the Blue album but alas. I’m 23 and have listened to the Beatles since I was 17, I found it really cool to get a single release that I could purchase just as my grandfather did back in the day, and something that will obviously never happen again. So it will be a big moment for me just as growing up during the Beatles era is for others. Anyways, peace and love.

[@jugibur2117]

I find Peter Jackson's realization of the video very touching and well done, because in addition to the music, the Beatles are always about their history, not just a sound product. It's interesting to see how many fan creations of fake/AI pseudo Beatles songs there are now and how many clicks and positive comments they often have. This shows me that many people have been longing for something sonically new from the Beatles. So for me it's better that Paul and Ringo take on such a new song and give us one last gift. At least it is for me, because I like the song and I like it more and more the more I hear it.

[@ChipsAplentyBand]

I don't think there is a Beatles 'canon.' They were four musicians, personalities, and artists with their own special group chemistry that was often synergistic and magical. Not too long after they began at EMI, that chemistry came to include a fifth person-George Martin-at times too. In the sixties the Four worked together most of the time intially because they were a PERFORMING band. As the decade wore on they transitioned and became a RECORDING band and, because their recording work became more and more piecemeal they sometimes took on each others' usual roles and worked less consistently as a strict foursome in their customary roles. What 'Free As a Bird' and 'Real Love' both demonstrated was that the magical synergy happened because of the four PEOPLE, something very self-evident because IT CAME RIGHT BACK when they rejoined temporarily. With 'Now and Then' Paul took a Lennon song DRAFT, repurposed it as a song about The Beatles when it had originally been a song about a couple's relationship/reconciliation instead (I presume John and Yoko's). This repurposement was largely achieved by simply removing John's Bridge section(s), whose lyrics focused on the couple more specifically. Paul's restructuring of the song and his musical production work are fine and work well for the song's reinvented form and subject matter. His repurposement is different than just helping flesh out the lyric while retaining the originator's lyrical PREMISE, and Paul has indeed changed that premise. However, the general vagueness of John's Verse section lyrics affords that kind of flexibility. (Despite their zaniness, the concrete imagery of the lyrics of 'Hey Bulldog' and 'I Am the Walrus' are both very specific by comparison.) Songs are a short medium in which every word counts to begin with, and simpler-than-usual lyrics with fewer words in them per line call for the most judicious choices of words of all and can sometimes be the hardest to write because of the inherent economy of the rarified words. I once rewrote the lyrics of 'Yesterday' to create a parody lyric for Paul's music and it took me four hours because every single syllable counts a great deal and every short line has to convey so MUCH of the imagery. Paul apparently repurposed the song's lyrical premise as a Beatles group friendship/love letter and as a farewell for the fans. Given the deaths of John and George and the lateness of the hour for both Paul and Ringo-who both still play admirably well though they obviously sing 'older'-I'm OK with that if Yoko/Sean/Julian and Olivia/Dhani, acting in John's and George's steads, themselves were. I have no complaints about the music/performance elements. It's lush, haunting, and authentically Beatles-sounding stuff on the recording. The engineering approach is at times more contemporary than 'vintage' Beatles but that's what I hear because I'm so used to their vintage EMI ambience. The mix is more than acceptable and I love that you can hear everything pretty clearly without really noticing the various 'seams and joins.' The opening Piano Intro might have been a little too much compressed for my personal taste. Overall, I could also wish there had been more of George's playing contributions recognizably audible. We obviously weren't going to hear him sing any Lead Vocals this time around as we did on 'Free As a Bird.' So George is a bit underrepresented in what you can identifiably hear, and he in his most prominent Beatles role-as the Lead Guitarist-is 'missing' but that's due to the necessity of circumstances and not due to any arranging decisions which 'de-emphasized' him on purpose. I'm very happy with this recording/repurposement of the song for what it (now) is. I would much rather have it as it is to hear and enjoy than to not have it at all. It's authentic enough Lennon-McCartney songwriting for me, and John INTENDED the demo cassette of the song to pass into Paul's artistic hands and custody as a trusted COWRITER. The song itself is not only a McCartney finishing of a Lennon draft; it's the Lennon draft remade into a Beatles mutual friendship celebration and a group farewell to their fans. As that, I think it succeeds quite well.

[@chrisgrabowski2678]

I appreciate your honesty. I've listened to the song once and wasn't moved or impressed. To me, it's an okay John Lennon song that the other Beatles played on. I don't have a problem with them doing it, but I don't see how this can be a Beatles song for 2023 when they all weren't together to showcase their growth as artists. John may not have stuck with those lyrics, correct?

[@Doctordoompapito]

Great video. It's exactly what I think about the Now and Then song. The part with the KZbinrs dry crying and speechless and nostalgic was so funny. George Harrison was right.

[@JimPigMuseumOfSound]

I first heard the song on the morning of Nov 2, All Souls Day, as I was getting dressed to go visit my father's grave. It made me feel sad and lonely, and I wasn't sure I even liked it. The next day, my son and I watched the video together for the first time, and the humor of the video seemed to make me like it better. We both thought the video was amazing. Interesting arguments made in your video about whether or not this song is Beatles canon: John never knew this was a 'Beatles' song when he made his demo.

[@Kieop]

I thought that this being released on All Souls' Day was somehow appropriate.

[@JimPigMuseumOfSound]

@@Kieop It was kind of spooky hearing John and George together on a new song

[@Kieop]

@@JimPigMuseumOfSound Exactly. But it was also lovely because All Souls is a time to reflect on those who have passed and it was like they were with us.

[@dreaboi]

Thanks for this. Great Paglia pull at the end. Totally agree-it’s the culmination of the last 30 years of Beatles-as-nostalgia-product.

[@ricknbacker5626]

As a major sceptic of the song in general terms, I must admit Matt that I think it's a good record. Which reflects I have moved off my rather strident pov that the song was marginal at itrs very best. Of course the member berry video is very effective in reprising the Beatles fun loving charm. What does strike me is how many young people are emotionally connecting to the songs essence. Its Beatley vibe and elemental lyrics are easy to consume. Since it is s new song , they can claim it for their own generation. Which I believe for these young people does open the door to the Beatles canonical material. In a way that Crobalaca fish wife, pornographic priestess, elementary penguin singing Hari Krishna most likely never would . It is on this level I believe Apple succeeded in their goal. RNB

[@novastorm]

It was another brave choice, pioneering, if you will. Back then, there were snobs too, that turned out to be wrong. Let people enjoy it, let them make a video, it shows that yet another Beatles song is undeniably acknowledged into pop culture. I see nothing bad in this. The song was meh, and then, it was in my head for the last few days. I feel lucky as a long time fan. Well said btw.

[@ricknbacker5626]

@@novastorm Thank you novastorm. I completely agree with your thoughts and sentiments. What I don't understand is the open mocking of the songs simple lyrics. "Love love me do. You know I love you. I'll always be true" isn't exactly Act 1 Scene 5 of Hamlet either. The 'And if I make it through, t's all because of you' lyrics are instantly driven into the memory. I don't believe there are any lyrics on Free As A Bird or Real Love that evoke such an organic almost intuitive response. Those words connect whether one is the survivor or the perceived savior and John sings those words beautifully. Cheers, RNB

[@presto709]

I completely disagree. Paul and Ringo gave us a beautiful gift. You can't judge a song by the demo. The completed song is very much a Beatles song. For me the song was a little somber but combined with the video it was perfect. It made a LOT of people both tearful and happy. That is a profoundly good thing. All true artists work out their feelings through their art so if Paul is filling a hole left by John's passing that is a perfectly legitimate reason to sing with him in concert and to finish these songs.

[@stamatiskon3049]

I don't think that this is a bad song, it has a good enough melody, some interesting chords and an (un)usual key change but that's not what's important, The Beatles have more than a few great songs, one more wouldn't make any difference. What's important is if it adds anything to their legacy and, strangely, I believe it does. Not to their musical legacy but to their legacy as an innovative studio band. I mean, "they" took a song from the 70s, added vocal harmonies from the 60s, guitars (and some other things) from the 90s and they made that sound coherent in a 2023 production. I think that's great...

[@novastorm]

There's always going to be complainers though. The Beatles have set such a high standard, that even today's Beatles have a hard time living up to that standard, and understandably so. They once again moved the needle, enough that everyone wants to make a video about it. Nothing bad about it, other than, a few snobs will get rubbed the wrong way.

[@whenifeellow]

I agree with a lot of this. In my eyes, the 3 "Beatles" songs that came out since 1995 are just novelties, and not to be considered part of The Beatles main body of work. And the KZbinrs getting all emotional over "Now and Then", yeah, pretty ridiculous. It is wise to take the song at face value and separate it from the hype of being "the last Beatles song". The music video was a cool tribute to their career, but it doesn't really go with the song at all.

[@aaryanraj777]

IMHO, they should have worked on it as a John Lennon solo project instead of releasing it as a Beatles single.. really I mean, can it really compete with Love Me Do, I wanna hold your hand, strawberry fields forever, a day in the life, hey jude, something, don't let me down..Its laughable how on spotify its the top Beatles track above Here comes the sun.. Its a good song.. obviously sounds Beatlesque because they are playing on it but more McCartney-ish than Lennonesque. I'm a 22 year old fan, got into them when I was 17 and I still think its not cannon.

[@arnesaknussemm2427]

The perfect ending was ‘The End’. Period.

[@mrshortyblackwell1092]

I like Now and Then. One last gift to the fans. It reminds me of the Monkees last album, Good Times, an attempt to recreate the sound that fans appreciate, but contemporary at the same time. Thanks to Paul and Ringo.

[@lionheartroar3104]

I love it. Certainly better than anything on McCartney III.

[@michaelcolarossi5062]

Matt - I always love your thoughts and perspective and was very much looking forward to your POV on "Now and Then". I thought the song was a nice little song. Wonderful use of AI to augment John's vocals. (best part of the song). It could have been a lot better. a) Disappointed that McCartney did not create/add a middle eight/bridge. (like he and Harrison did on "Free as a Bird" b) Guitar solo gets buried in the mix (over-powered by strings) solo? . Net/Net - Feels like much more of a John song then a Beatles song.

[@terrywdowiak8399]

Agree 100 percent! Had the exact same feeling right after the first listen!