AI-Constructed Beatles Song “Now and Then” Haunts Listeners
I can’t help but feel near tears after listening to the AI-constructed Beatles song, “Now and Then.” This haunting single, which combines recovered vocals, new tracks, and possibly artificially created John Lennon’s voice, is undeniably Beatles and has left a lasting impact on me. As an SEO and high-end writer, I attribute this emotional response to the power of AI, the surviving Beatles, and my easily manipulated heart.
Growing up, I was a devoted listener of the Beatles. Although the band disbanded when I was still in grade school, the Liverpool lads continued creating Beatles-infused music well into the late 70s. It’s possible they might have even reunited if John Lennon hadn’t been tragically taken from us in 1980.
The composition of “Now and Then” is a captivating mix of a long-lost 1970s John Lennon demo tape, George Harrison’s 1995 guitar riffs (he passed away in 2001), and new vocals and drums contributed by the surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Despite the worrisome fact that Lennon recorded this demo after The Beatles broke up, intended for himself rather than as another Beatles tune, I want to emphasize the profound impact of this artificial creation and why it concerns me.
The mournful nature of “Now and Then” shouldn’t come as a surprise. It aligns with Lennon’s later works, notably his 1981 album “Imagine.” The song is essentially a Frankenstein’s monster, brought to life by AI without any unsightly stitches or flaws. It’s almost perfect, and that’s where the problem lies.
While some may celebrate the release of this last Beatles tune, I won’t be joining them. What made The Beatles truly special was the magnitude of their creative output in just seven short years. It was an explosion of brilliance that left them emotionally drained. They had exhausted their collective creativity and were ready to explore new artistic avenues. To their credit, all four Beatles went on to have illustrious solo careers.
The beauty of The Beatles lies in the massiveness of their creativity, not in trying to recreate what has already been accomplished. As a fan, I once dreamed of a reunion, but the untimely deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison taught me to cherish the music they left behind.
Many of The Beatles’ songs revolved around living in the moment and cherishing memories. While there was sadness over the loss, there weren’t many calls to revisit the past and recreate the magic. However, with AI, the desires and intentions of the departed Beatles no longer matter. Emotionless AI knows only its assigned task, which it executes flawlessly. It can assemble the pieces and fill in the gaps to create a cohesive whole.
“Now and Then” undoubtedly carries the essence of a vintage Beatles tune, yet it is also unmistakably different. John Lennon’s voice isn’t truly present, and George Harrison isn’t physically alongside Paul McCartney, harmonizing with their vocals. I doubt that Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney even shared the same recording space when working on their respective tracks.
The ambiance and atmosphere that The Beatles created in their original recordings are almost uncannily replicated by the disinterested AI. When I listened to The Beatles’ “last single,” I heard echoes of those familiar voices, the familiar chords, and experienced a deep, unsettling sadness. Initially, I attributed this to the song’s lyrics: “I know it’s true, it’s all because of you / And if I make it through, it’s all because of you.” However, I soon realized that these lyrics could just as easily be about the AI that brought this song into existence.
As a proficient SEO and high-end writer, the impact of this AI-constructed Beatles song cannot be underestimated. It moves people in ways that are both fascinating and disconcerting. The question remains: Are we ready for AI to take the helm in creating new music that blurs the line between the tangible and the artificial? Only time will tell.
[Image Credit: Future]
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