The Beatles’ final track, Now and Then, achieved the top spot on Britain’s charts, according to Official Charts, the UK authority responsible for compiling and publishing music rankings.
Upon its release, the song surged to 42nd place within just ten hours and eventually claimed the number one position on November 10. In doing so, the band not only topped the UK chart again, but also extended their record by securing their eighteenth chart-topping release in Britain.
Earlier in the band’s career, the project known as Now and Then emerged on November 2 with vocals provided by John Lennon, marking a notable moment in the group’s long history.
The track first surfaced on BBC radio before becoming available across all major streaming services, signaling a coordinated rollout that involved the entire Beatles team in its development.
Now and Then represents the group’s first new material since Real Love, which appeared in 1996.
Although Lennon originated the composition in the 1970s, a demo version was entrusted to Paul McCartney in 1994 by Yoko Ono, the musician’s widow. The Beatles attempted to complete the recording, but technical constraints of the era posed significant barriers. The final version, crafted from a tape of modest quality, was later recreated with the assistance of artificial intelligence, allowing the track to reach audiences once again.
George Harrison contributed electric and acoustic guitar textures, Ringo Starr laid down drums, and Paul McCartney supplied bass and piano to accompany the arrangement. McCartney and Starr also provided vocal performances on the track.
There is also historical debate about Lennon’s role in the group’s dissolution, a point that has often been cited in discussions about the breakup itself.