Christmas came early this year, especially if you’re a Baby Boomer, as am I.
However, even if you’re not a Boomer, but you love music and have a heart, the release of the music video “Now and Then” by The Beatles in November was a gift everyone can truly treasure.
But a warning, prepare for your emotions to take over.
The song “Now and Then” was written by John Lennon in the 1970s. Dubbed ‘the last Beatles song’, it appeared on a double A-side single, paired with a new remix of the band’s first single, “Love Me Do”, from 1962. The songs serve as bookends to the band’s history.
If you’re a fan of The Beatles, be sure to review the history of this song and how it sat in limbo for decades until technology allowed Paul and Ringo to develop and finalize the song for consumption.
And what a fantastic job they did.
If you don’t tear up watching this video, you’re either too young to remember The Beatles, or you have no heart.
I recommend you watch the video a few times (link below), as you’ll pick up subtle production strategies. The lyrics and video have specific ties, as Paul and Ringo pay tribute to their lost band members…John and George.
The song itself is very ‘Lennonesque’…beautiful, yet simple. It combines Lennon’s great songwriting with today’s innovative technology, allowing us to listen to wonderful lyrics and exceptional music…all while enjoying the visual of The Beatles as we remember them…young, silly, and incredibly talented.
It is truly heartbreakingly beautiful.
As one who grew up with The Beatles, I won’t lie…it brought tears to my eyes as I watched the video. It provided wonderful memories of my youth. Hell, I remember sitting with my Mom, Dad, and brother watching The Beatles first live performance on U.S. soil…
It was Sunday, February 9, 1964. Our family, plus 73-million people, gathered in front of the TV at 8pm to watch these young, long-haired kids from England perform on The Ed Sullivan Show.
It was a night that will live forever for all who watched.
And for those too young to remember The Beatles, please know that they were more than a band…they were part of a transitional time in history.
Yes, their music was brilliant…and their hair, clothes, and charming English demeanor played a huge part of their success. However, it was also their place in time that made them not only great, but much needed.
Less we forget, The Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan less than three months after the assassination of President Kennedy. It was a time when Americans needed to experience much happier moments – and The Beatles provided just that.
Little did we know back in 1964 that their music would become iconic.
Also, for Boomers watching “Now and Then,” understand that it’s also about mortality.
While the video brings back many fond memories about the past and our youth, it also reminds us that life is fleeting. But fret not, as we were lucky to live during that special time.
Thank you for “Now.” Thank you for “Then.” Thank you for The Beatles.
They will live forever.
###
Link to “Now and Then”…
