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“Because it’s a John song… it’s very emotional for me”: Paul McCartney explains why he gets choked up playing The Beatles’ Now And Then
The ‘final’ Beatles song was released in 2023, and McCartney has been performing it on his current tour.
Image: Kristy Sparow / Getty
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Paul McCartney has admitted he gets emotional performing “final” Beatles song, Now And Then, which was originally written by John Lennon, and released in 2023 with some assistance from AI.
McCartney is currently on his Got Back tour, and has been playing the song each night. Released in November 2023, it features contributions from all four Beatles and was written and recorded by Lennon in 1977. AI tech was used to restore the audio and give it more clarity.
Macca finds it rather touching to perform live, as the legendary musician is able to sing alongside his late bandmate once again. Speaking to The Mirror, he says, “It’s really great. When you introduce a new song, even though it’s an old song, like Now and Then, the first reaction is, people aren’t quite sure what it is or what you’re doing. But during the run of the concerts, they get the idea.
“The word gets out on the internet, you know. So now the reaction is really strong, and for us it’s great to play because it’s a nice song to play, and for me, it’s particularly great because it’s a John song. And so it’s very emotional for me. I love it. I love doing it, and the audience seem to love it too.”
Back in 2023, McCartney said of the track, “There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording. In 2023 to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s an exciting thing.”
Beatles drummer Ringo Starr added, “It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room so it was very emotional for all of us. It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out.”
Paul McCartney’s Got Back tour concludes at The O2 in London on 19 December. Now And Then is available to stream or buy now.
Rachel began writing for Guitar.com in 2021 while finishing up her degree. A proud DIY guitarist, she has been playing for over 10 years and has written for the likes of Kerrang!, The Forty-Five, and MusicTech. An enjoyer of all things heavy, you’ll find her at a festival or downtuning her guitars when away from her desk.