Documentary Reveals the Story Behind The Beatles' Final Song 'Now and Then'

A 12-minute short film released on The Beatles' YouTube channel chronicles the 50-year journey to complete their final song, 'Now and Then.' The track, a romantic ballad about longing, features contributions from all four original members—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—despite Lennon's death in 1980 and Harrison's in 2001. The demo was recorded by Lennon in his New York apartment in the late 1970s and rediscovered in 1994. The breakthrough came from technology developed by Peter Jackson's team for the 2022 documentary 'Get Back,' which allowed separation of vocal and instrumental tracks from archival recordings. The song was released on November 2, 2023, with cover art by American artist Ed Ruscha. The short film includes archival footage, interviews with McCartney, Starr, and Lennon's son Sean, and behind-the-scenes stories. It marks the completion of the last recording by all four Beatles and celebrates their legacy.