Using AI, The Beatles hit No 1 again in the UK

BY: Patrick Beech

With the help of artificial intelligence, The Beatles scored their first UK No 1 single in 54 years recently. 

The latest release "Now And Then" saw the late John Lennon's vocals being isolated from a tape he recorded in 1978 using AI. 

They were combined with old session tracks, including parts by late guitarist George Harrison, and new lines from remaining members Paul McCartney and drummer Ringo Starr to “reunite” the band for a final time. 

"It was a truly emotional moment," said McCartney. 

"Now And Then" climbed to No 1 after it was released last week, making it the band's first chart-topper since "The Ballad of John and Yoko" in 1969. 

The Beatles’ first number-one single was “From Me to You” in 1963, more than 60 years ago, and they have 18 in total. 

The Times Daily in the UK said the song showed AI at its best. 

Critics have been broadly positive about Now And Then, with the Guardian giving it four stars out of five, and calling it "an affecting tribute to the band's bond".