Paul McCartney Leverages AI Technology to Craft a Final Song for The Beatles

AI-assisted vocals are making waves in the music industry, and Paul McCartney is leading the charge. In a recent interview with BBC Radio 4, McCartney shared that he is leveraging AI technology to transform a John Lennon demo into a final song for The Beatles. This innovative approach allows for the extraction of Lennon's voice, creating a "pure" version that can be seamlessly mixed into a completed track set for release later this year.

While McCartney didn't disclose the song's title, it is widely believed to be "Now and Then," a poignant love song Lennon recorded in 1978 with the intent of sharing it with his former bandmates. Though initially considered for release alongside other tracks like "Free As A Bird," it was ultimately shelved due to its incomplete structure—a simple chorus and basic backing track—which did not meet the group's standards, especially after George Harrison expressed his disapproval.

The reimagining of this song was sparked by dialog editor Emile de la Rey's work on the Peter Jackson documentary "Get Back," which showcased how AI technology could isolate the Beatles' vocals from instrumental sounds. McCartney noted that this could provide "some sort of leeway" for song production.

Historically, music labels have been wary of AI due to copyright concerns, as seen in instances where AI generated collaborations featuring artists like Drake and The Weeknd, which were later removed from circulation. However, McCartney’s initiative is a groundbreaking use of AI, aimed at reviving a track that might have remained unreleased. This development could pave the way for other artists to explore similar methods to revive and share hidden gems from their archives.