The Beatles

Various Formats: The Beatles Online Store
7-inch clear single: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
7-inch blue single: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
12-inch black vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Target-exclusive red 12-inch single: Target.com

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"Now and Then" - billed as "The Last Beatles Song" - arrives today in physical formats including various 7- and 12-inch vinyl records and a cassette tape.  In a nice bit of circularity, all of them have "Love Me Do" as the B-side.  (CD aficionados will have to wait until the November 10 reissue of the "blue album" (Beatles 1967-1970) for a release in the format.)  "Now and Then" is a poignant valedictory for the Fab Four, based upon the cassette demo provided to Paul, George, and Ringo at the time of Anthology.  McCartney, co-producing with Giles Martin (who's also joined McCartney and Ben Foster to provide the string arrangements in the mold of his late father, Sir George Martin), has fleshed out and built upon John Lennon's demo, creating the track from all-new recordings with Ringo Starr as well as archival audio from George Harrison recorded by Jeff Lynne at the time of Anthology.  The result is an expectedly poignant ballad that leans heavily into the rapport and camaraderie shared by these four remarkable artists.  It's to all of their credit that "Now and Then" doesn't veer into maudlin territory, though it may well bring a tear to even the most hardened listener's eyes - especially when heard in Peter Jackson's whimsical yet moving music video.