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Here is an
interesting article in Mojo magazine, a music magazine I’ve always enjoyed. It is reputable as far as I know.
The story dumbfounded me. If it is true — If George did purchase a folk art clock/sculpture that included scrabble tiles that spelled out “Now and Then” — it is truly miraculous. I would love to have this verified.
There is a story that McCartney tells of his last substantial conversation he had with Lennon in his NYC apartment. I heard him tell it years ago, well before the Now+Then song was released. McCartney says that during his last visit with John, as Paul was leaving, John said to him, “Think of me every now and then, old friend.” So either Paul McCartney is in the business of myth making (which he is) or the song is cosmic. Lennon was cosmic. I go with cosmic over myth.
The name of the song is so loaded with time it’s hard to measure how deeply it goes. It implies through omission that we live in a dual, dueling world of present and past that dreams of another dimension of time that never materializes: future. The future remains in the realm of our imaginations.
One more little thing. The demo cassette tape that Lennon made of the song was labeled “Now + Then”. Not "Now and Then". It’s a kind of metaphoric mathematical formula for the whole of our existence: Not now and then, but rather the co-mingling of now
plus then. Although the song’s official release title is “Now and Then” I stand by “Now + Then”.
Another reason this song's release is so impressive and even a milestone is that it represents responsible use of artificial intelligence. In a world that feels like a can of worms, the application of AI involved in the production of this song reminds me that AI can be used for good.
I came across this statement on social media:
“I'm not interested in joining the controversy about whether this is a good or a bad record. I happen to think it is terrific and very fitting as a final statement. Everyone can and does have their own opinions. For me, part of that is surely emotional; the story of the Beatles has been the story of my own life, and as it comes toward its own conclusion, they too are approaching their own sunset on the Earth. All very powerful to me.”
That’s close to how I feel. Yes I’m a bit fanatical.
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Linear Mode
