The Beatles’ AI-Assisted Song ‘Now & Then’ Earns 2 Grammy Nominations

In a Grammy twist that no one saw coming, The Beatles are up for two Grammy Awards this year. “Now and Then,” an AI-refined track that was released last year, has earned nominations for both Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance. Competing against contemporary artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Beyoncé, The Beatles bring an unexpected nostalgia to this year’s Grammy lineup.

The AI Technology Behind ‘Now and Then’

Despite the Beatles’ breakup more than 50 years ago, Paul McCartney used AI to craft what he calls “the last Beatles record.” Rather than creating deepfake renditions of late bandmates John Lennon and George Harrison, McCartney turned to AI for a specific purpose: to clean up the audio on a 1978 demo by Lennon, allowing his vocals to shine clearly in the final mix.

This inspiration came from director Peter Jackson’s 2021 documentary series, The Beatles: Get Back, where Jackson’s team used AI to enhance audio from old Beatles recording sessions. The series’ dialogue editor, Emile de la Rey, applied AI to separate the Beatles’ voices from background noise, achieving clarity in the audio. Similar AI techniques helped producer Giles Martin remix the Beatles’ classic 1966 album, Revolver, providing a new stereo mix by isolating and enhancing specific sounds.

How AI Audio Processing Works

AI-based audio editing, like that used for Now and Then, is similar to noise-cancellation technology in video calls on platforms like FaceTime or Zoom. Machine learning models are trained to recognize and isolate particular sounds—such as a human voice or a specific instrument—by separating them from background noise. This capability was instrumental in refining Lennon’s original demo for Now and Then, allowing it to meet the high audio standards of modern music releases.

The Beatles vs. Modern Artists: A Unique Grammy Moment

This year’s Grammy lineup poses a unique question: can The Beatles, armed with an AI-assisted track, stand up to other nominated artists such as Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar? While “Now and Then” may evoke nostalgia, it’s also notable that of all the Record of the Year nominees, the track has the fewest Spotify streams, with just 78 million. Still, this Grammy moment could symbolize not just a recognition of a song, but an appreciation for the bridge between classic artistry and modern technology.

What This Means: AI and Legacy in the Music Industry

The Grammy nominations for Now and Then reflect the growing influence of AI in music production, allowing legendary artists to revisit and enhance past works. By refining Lennon’s voice and elevating a decades-old demo, AI has brought The Beatles’ legacy into the digital age. Whether Now and Then wins based on novelty or nostalgia, its nominations highlight the potential for AI to transform archival material and extend the influence of timeless artists in a new era.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.