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10.03pm
1 December 2009
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I’ve been reading people’s remarks and comments here and elsewhere; but I haven’t listened yet, not myself; and I’m not gonna listen for at least several hours, or even a day, or a few days. I first have to really familiarize myself with the *song* itself, John’s 79 demo, which I’ve only heard a couple of times in all these years; and then I have to listen to the ’95 attempts that have been on the web for years, and compare those, before I can really properly evaluate the brand-new final result for myself. 
I’ll probably wait a day or two for Sir Peter’s video, so I can have some visual accompaniment to maximize my own personal introduction to the LAST BEATLE SONG (or the third and final* “John Lennon + The Threetles song?). I dont know what it’ll be like – It might be heart-breakingly perfect; and it may also be a heartbreaking failure. Or somewhere in between.
But whatever eventually I think about it, I’m happy on behalf of every Beatlesbibler who ends up loving it.
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Richard, SgtPeppersBulldog, Beatlebug, mithveaen, RubeGEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
10.07pm
1 December 2009
Offline The Walrus said
Joe said
I don’t think they will. They’ve already said NAT is the last song, Paul and Ringo are getting old, and it wouldn’t look good to put out some additional tracks in the coming months or years. It’s done, finished, this is the full stop. The only things left to come are studio outtakes.
Give me “Carnival Of Light ” or give me death.
THE WALRUS! 
Welcome back, you haven’t posted here since like 2011!
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kelicopter, Richard, SgtPeppersBulldog, RubeGEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
10.54pm
17 March 2019
Offline We need to get the video to number 1 trending!
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KyleKartan, Richard, SgtPeppersBulldog, Rube11.38pm
4 September 2019
Offline vonbontee said
I dont know what it’ll be like – It might be heart-breakingly perfect; and it may also be a heartbreaking failure. Or somewhere in between.
Seems like this was a sentimental experience for most Beatles fans, myself including. There is some definitely some bittersweetness there. I wouldn’t say it was a failure in any manner though, unless maybe you’re expecting another A Day In The Life .
On the lighter side, it occurred to me that it might be humorous it if turned out that Paul scrubbed Ringo’s drums and put his own on there. Lol.
11.56pm
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1 May 2011
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Yeah. If you’re expecting a Beatles masterpiece up there with ‘Hey Jude ‘ you’ll be disappointed as it never could be. But it’s certainly not a failure. People aren’t saying it simply because they have to be nice as it’s the Beatles.
One question that comes to mind. Could the existence of ‘NAT’ result in the updating and fixing of the ‘Anthology’ series? We know ‘NAT’ was intended at the time to lead ‘A3’ but wasn’t due to techical issues so will this ultimately lead to Apple including ‘NAT’, using superior sources for the demoes (even cleaning them up with AI), remixing the outtakes, and even replacing some (if not all) of the outfakes with complete takes (ie the hacked to death ‘Not Guilty ‘, even tho the unhacked is now on the super deluxe ‘White Album ‘)?
2025 is the 30th Anniversary, Apple are working their way thru remixing the Beatles catalogue, they did correct ‘Live At The BBC ‘ and have also reworked the two other reunion songs so it wouldn’t be unprecedented to do the same with the ‘Anthology’ discs. 2025 would also give time to let the dust settle on this whilst they improved/updated ‘FAAB’ and ‘RL’.
We could finally get the ‘Anthology’ documentary on Blu-Ray.
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1.21am
4 September 2019
Offline meanmistermustard said
Yeah. If you’re expecting a Beatles masterpiece up there with ‘Hey Jude ‘ you’ll be disappointed as it never could be. But it’s certainly not a failure. People aren’t saying it simply because they have to be nice as it’s the Beatles.
Yeah, I definitely don’t see it as a failure, I think it’s quite nice. But I will go so far as to say this, and it’s going to sound a little insulting, but I honestly don’t mean it that way: I don’t think Now And Then is a particulary impressive piece of songwriting from John, as I’ve said before it’s a bit of a dirge. I mean it’s fine, especially for us existing Beatle fans. But I kind of doubt that this song paired with Love Me Do is really going to bring in a lot of new fans to the Beatles. Maybe I’m underselling them though? It’s possible this release could get some people curious, look into their catalog more, and create new fans that way.
I like your suggestion about using the new technology to fix up Anthology. Sounds like a big project, but that’s not exactly my problem.
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17 March 2019
Offline forn said
Yeah, I definitely don’t see it as a failure, I think it’s quite nice. But I will go so far as to say this, and it’s going to sound a little insulting, but I honestly don’t mean it that way: I don’t think Now And Then is a particulary impressive piece of songwriting from John, as I’ve said before it’s a bit of a dirge. I mean it’s fine, especially for us existing Beatle fans. But I kind of doubt that this song paired with Love Me Do is really going to bring in a lot of new fans to the Beatles. Maybe I’m underselling them though? It’s possible this release could get some people curious, look into their catalog more, and create new fans that way.
.
I can tell you with confidence you’re wrong, in a GOOD WAY. Just today across all of social media, i was meeting beatles fans of 14, 16, 20, you name it – ALL OF them were young, seeing this for the first time. The song is number 1 trending on youtube, over 200,000 likes in a day (VERY RARE) and number 1 on Itunes and Amazon.
Believe me. i talked to them myself on youtube, reddit, and discord.
Rest easy, for The Beatles have won. 
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KyleKartan, Mr. Moonlight, forn, Ahhh Girl, Beatlebug, Rube6.52am
3 July 2020
Offline How can this be a failure in any way? The song is just a gift. Honestly they dont do it for the money, at least not Paul or Ringo. They have to much to spend anyway and could sit in their houses, retired and enjoying life. They stil go out and tour, produce music and all because they love what they’re doing. Paul said he wanted to finish NAT multiple times. Now the technology was there to do so, after the Get Back Series was finished.
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Richard, forn, forn, Ahhh Girl, Beatlebug, Rube9.15am
6 May 2018
Offline forn said
On the lighter side, it occurred to me that it might be humorous it if turned out that Paul scrubbed Ringo’s drums and put his own on there. Lol.
I’m very impressed with the drums on Now And Then (as well as on Free As A Bird ) – got to be Ringo! 
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9.20am
3 July 2020
Offline If only amazon.de would ship my Vinyl and CD copies 
9.38am
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1 May 2011
Offline forn said
meanmistermustard said
Yeah. If you’re expecting a Beatles masterpiece up there with ‘Hey Jude ‘ you’ll be disappointed as it never could be. But it’s certainly not a failure. People aren’t saying it simply because they have to be nice as it’s the Beatles.
Yeah, I definitely don’t see it as a failure, I think it’s quite nice. But I will go so far as to say this, and it’s going to sound a little insulting, but I honestly don’t mean it that way: I don’t think Now And Then is a particulary impressive piece of songwriting from John, as I’ve said before it’s a bit of a dirge. I mean it’s fine, especially for us existing Beatle fans. But I kind of doubt that this song paired with Love Me Do is really going to bring in a lot of new fans to the Beatles. Maybe I’m underselling them though? It’s possible this release could get some people curious, look into their catalog more, and create new fans that way.
I like your suggestion about using the new technology to fix up Anthology. Sounds like a big project, but that’s not exactly my problem.
I get what you’re saying and do agree to a point.
It is a demo of an unfinished song tho. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing if these would have been John’s final polished lyrics but he was recording an idea for a song to a cassette tape at home, no matter how far he got in the process. In the studio he could have completely reworked the tune and amended lyrics but it never got that far.
As for new fans etc, I’m sure the trending on social media, the pushes and high placing on iTunes etc and news reporting will get the message out and new youngsters will be curious enough to look back and see what the fuss was about. ‘Get Back ‘ found newsters on social media.
But for once I don’t think this is about pushing ‘The Beatles’ to a fresh new age group. It’s more for Paul, Ringo and all the fans out there who never thought we would get a final Beatles track. And the Beatles never were that concerned over getting new fans or keeping the ones they had in the 60’s when contemplating their next release, they kept pushing on doing what they wanted and believed in whilst believing that if they lost a few then others may be interested. It’s why they changed so much, why they were so innovative and why they still remain as relevant.
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9.53am
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1 May 2011
Offline KyleKartan said
How can this be a failure in any way? The song is just a gift. Honestly they dont do it for the money, at least not Paul or Ringo. They have to much to spend anyway and could sit in their houses, retired and enjoying life. They stil go out and tour, produce music and all because they love what they’re doing. Paul said he wanted to finish NAT multiple times. Now the technology was there to do so, after the Get Back Series was finished.
It’s available to listen to for free, any idea this is to get our cash is false. Apple are not forcing anyone to buy it to hear it.
If folk want to start going down that route wait a week when the expanded ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ albums are out then fire in.
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9.55am
3 July 2020
Offline I’ve ordered my 7 and 12 inch copies the afternoon they were available. No I just the info that the 12 inch copy isnt available. I am mad! Also my 7 inch copy isnt shipped yet nor is it available for more orders. Apparently I will have a hard time gettin them somehow!
10.02am
30 August 2021
Offline Like everyone else I’ve listened to this a number of times today. I’m wondering if the note on the cassette “For Paul” did not mean the tape was to be given to Paul but that the song was dedicated to Paul. If so, the words “every Now And Then I miss you” and “I know it’s true, it’s all because of you” are doubly moving. Presumably he would not be missing Yoko, since they were firmly ensconced at that time, and it would not be like John to just be writing some generic love song.
MattWatchingWheels said
Rest easy, for The Beatles have won.
When I was a kid, I was told not to get too caught up in fads like The Beatles. I knew it then and it’s proven now: The Beatles were not a fad!
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11.10am
26 January 2017
Offline meanmistermustard said
KyleKartan said
How can this be a failure in any way? The song is just a gift. Honestly they dont do it for the money, at least not Paul or Ringo. They have to much to spend anyway and could sit in their houses, retired and enjoying life. They stil go out and tour, produce music and all because they love what they’re doing. Paul said he wanted to finish NAT multiple times. Now the technology was there to do so, after the Get Back Series was finished.
It’s available to listen to for free, any idea this is to get our cash is false. Apple are not forcing anyone to buy it to hear it.
If folk want to start going down that route wait a week when the expanded ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ albums are out then fire in.
Paul is no stranger to a cash grab but this is clearly done with intent to honor John and George, as well as Beatles fans. I think even the most cynical among us would have to admit that this was tastefully done even if you’re not a fan of how the song came out. I’m being a little harsh to Paul, of course we appreciate his remasters and deluxe releases, but you’d have some deep seeded hatred for Paul to get mad over this release being a cash grab.
I’m huge Paul fan and was still skeptical going in, but the release erased all doubts. No it doesn’t belong in the highest echelon of Beatles songs but its overall a job well done by all involved.
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11.31am
28 July 2023
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Tags “the Beatles”, “Now And Then “, “John Lennon “, “Paul McCartney “, “George Harrison ” and “Ringo Starr ” were(are?) trending on Tumblr for a while yesterday.
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11.48am
14 June 2016
Offline John is featured on the vocal, and that’s used as proof this is a Beatles tune with that key element. Not a dig at this song given the special circumstances but it reminds me how much magic all four had when they were all together in the same room, firing off ideas, making changes, having disagreements and the like. I’m kind of sceptical John would’ve used the song for anything if he lived longer, and it could’ve just been something he did at home to entertain himself. I think the nature of the song being that, and maybe never intended to be heard by anyone but himself, is what makes it unique. It’s an affecting song when you consider their career and lives as a whole, which you can imagine John doing himself while alone at the Dakota. It makes you reflect on them, particularly during the instrumental segment.
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12.06pm
24 March 2014
Offline I think the missing part (pre chorus, bridge, or however it’s called) was a key element in how the harmony evolves. Taking it out is a bit of a disapointment though i can understand why they did it. They could have used it as an instrumental section or something though.
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1.33pm
18 December 2015
Offline That video is such a curse on society. I have no idea how neither Dhani nor Sean said that it looks horrific and is honestly mildly scary at some points. The amount of real Beatle heads on fake bodies is very unnerving and uncanny valley. I think this beats the White Album pens in terms of worst Beatles product ever released .
Love the song though.
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Beatlebug1.39pm
7 November 2010
Offline The video made me sob on first watch, the bits with the orchestra in the studio especially.
(Although I do know what @AppleScruffSenior is getting at. There are some uncanny valley moments, but the Free As A Bird video has moments like that too.)
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