According to a report by BBC News published earlier today, in a recent interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Sir Paul McCartney revealed an intriguing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production. The Beatles’ legend has apparently employed AI to extract John Lennon’s voice from an old demo, enabling him to complete what he calls “the final Beatles record.” This innovative use of technology has allowed McCartney to breathe new life into an old composition, creating a piece of music that Beatles fans around the world will undoubtedly cherish.
The song, which remains unnamed, is set to be released this year. It’s believed to be a 1978 Lennon composition called “Now And Then,” one of several songs on a cassette labeled “For Paul” that Lennon had made shortly before he died in 1980. The Beatles had previously attempted to record “Now And Then,” but the session was quickly abandoned due to technical issues with the original recording.
This isn’t the Beatles’ first use of technology to create new music from old demos. In 1995, they released “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love,” two completed songs using Lennon’s demos. However, using AI to extract and clean Lennon’s voice from the demo represents a significant technological advancement.
McCartney’s use of AI to complete the “final” Beatles record is a testament to the transformative power of technology in music. As AI continues to evolve, we’ll likely see more artists using it to create new music from old recordings, opening up exciting possibilities for the future of music production.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by “Jiamin Huang” via Unsplash
