The song immediately made me feel deeply sad, mainly about how lonely Paul must still feel without John and how much he misses the old band. Beatlemania still rages at full force within Paul, and it’s heartbreaking!
The Beatles broke up eight years before I was born yet I still miss them terribly—so hearing John sing something I’ve never heard before, man it makes me emotional just thinking about it.
But yeah the VIDEO is extremely cringe. John definitely would have hated it! Lol
I can imagine that one of the hardest parts of living longer is having your friends and family leave you - Paul has unfortunately experienced this many times with his closest relationships.
I like the new song (of the three spiffed-up demos, 'Real Love' is the best imho) but the video is a huge let-down (I don't find it remotely moving and I am a huge Beatles fan). As you allude to, it represents the dark road new technology will take us down if we're not careful.
The video is exactly why I also linked "Free As a Bird" - this new one wants to be a visual continuation, but hey, who would guess the stuff that was filmed traditionally back in 1995 looks so much better than this AI mess!
Oh man. This song has had me weeping, and then the video had me grown man sobbing. All in a good way.
I’ve followed the documenting of the process, and found it fascinating. But I respectfully don’t agree that the making is more interesting than the song. For me, it’s a direct emotional song, with simple lyrics that contain profound depths, which have gained that deeper meaning in their marination over time, and in their handing from John to Yoko to Paul. I’m grateful to all the talents that went into it, across the forty years before we got to hear it. Was there ever a pop song like this?
The song contains melancholy, memory, hope, nostalgia - and love. The video is full of emotion and wit and love.
It’s a beautiful, surprising conclusion to a beautiful surprising band. Innovating to the last, emotional to the last, all four of them to the last.
And to watch the world engage at the same time with a single piece of music again - we thought those times had gone.
For some of us it’s a hugely welcome and unexpected gift to be treasured, especially at this tricky time.
So glad it's everything you want, Chris! We always know that The Beatles mean so much to so many people, and then something new like this comes out and you see it all over again, even in the YouTube comments.
I don't know if I'll be coming back to it often, but I'm glad it's here to touch mega fans like yourself. Thanks for reading!
I'm team Ringo forever, but All Things Must Pass is for sure the best solo Beatles album.
I agree with your assessment here, but I still listen to them regularly and have for my whole life. I wrote about it on omgnyc.net and said:
"I'll happily take this as another addition to their incredible catalogue and while I don't expect to have it on repeat, I'm happy it's here and happy that it makes me go back to re-listen to a band I've listened to more than any other. That's the power of music and nostalgia, but really, it's the power of The Beatles."
Great piece and love this last paragraph. Also, had a real chuckle with:
Still, the fact that I have the ability to write about a "new" song by a band I've long established as my own personal favorite (how unique of me, I know) is something I will relish for a while to come and an opportunity I couldn't pass up.
Ringo was in town a few weeks ago but I didn't know until afternoon of. Definitely would have gone to celebrate the peace and love! He's also my favorite part of this new music video - recording the drums in an apartment bedroom like a common man!
I'm not sure how I feel about this yet, though I agree that using AI to clean up an earlier recording is a good use of the technology (assuming it's used judiciously, etc.). What's not up for debate is that George is the all-time best Beatle. :)
The song immediately made me feel deeply sad, mainly about how lonely Paul must still feel without John and how much he misses the old band. Beatlemania still rages at full force within Paul, and it’s heartbreaking!
The Beatles broke up eight years before I was born yet I still miss them terribly—so hearing John sing something I’ve never heard before, man it makes me emotional just thinking about it.
But yeah the VIDEO is extremely cringe. John definitely would have hated it! Lol
I can imagine that one of the hardest parts of living longer is having your friends and family leave you - Paul has unfortunately experienced this many times with his closest relationships.
I like and do not like this song at the same time.
And the music video in cringe-worthy, imo.
Hahaha, I think that sums up the whole piece in twelve words in one sentence!
I like the new song (of the three spiffed-up demos, 'Real Love' is the best imho) but the video is a huge let-down (I don't find it remotely moving and I am a huge Beatles fan). As you allude to, it represents the dark road new technology will take us down if we're not careful.
The video is exactly why I also linked "Free As a Bird" - this new one wants to be a visual continuation, but hey, who would guess the stuff that was filmed traditionally back in 1995 looks so much better than this AI mess!
Nice piece!
Thanks for reading, Joel!
Oh man. This song has had me weeping, and then the video had me grown man sobbing. All in a good way.
I’ve followed the documenting of the process, and found it fascinating. But I respectfully don’t agree that the making is more interesting than the song. For me, it’s a direct emotional song, with simple lyrics that contain profound depths, which have gained that deeper meaning in their marination over time, and in their handing from John to Yoko to Paul. I’m grateful to all the talents that went into it, across the forty years before we got to hear it. Was there ever a pop song like this?
The song contains melancholy, memory, hope, nostalgia - and love. The video is full of emotion and wit and love.
It’s a beautiful, surprising conclusion to a beautiful surprising band. Innovating to the last, emotional to the last, all four of them to the last.
And to watch the world engage at the same time with a single piece of music again - we thought those times had gone.
For some of us it’s a hugely welcome and unexpected gift to be treasured, especially at this tricky time.
So glad it's everything you want, Chris! We always know that The Beatles mean so much to so many people, and then something new like this comes out and you see it all over again, even in the YouTube comments.
I don't know if I'll be coming back to it often, but I'm glad it's here to touch mega fans like yourself. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for all the articles. Really appreciate all your writing and recommendations
My pleasure. I really appreciate the motivating kind words!
I'm team Ringo forever, but All Things Must Pass is for sure the best solo Beatles album.
I agree with your assessment here, but I still listen to them regularly and have for my whole life. I wrote about it on omgnyc.net and said:
"I'll happily take this as another addition to their incredible catalogue and while I don't expect to have it on repeat, I'm happy it's here and happy that it makes me go back to re-listen to a band I've listened to more than any other. That's the power of music and nostalgia, but really, it's the power of The Beatles."
Great piece and love this last paragraph. Also, had a real chuckle with:
Still, the fact that I have the ability to write about a "new" song by a band I've long established as my own personal favorite (how unique of me, I know) is something I will relish for a while to come and an opportunity I couldn't pass up.
Ringo was in town a few weeks ago but I didn't know until afternoon of. Definitely would have gone to celebrate the peace and love! He's also my favorite part of this new music video - recording the drums in an apartment bedroom like a common man!
I'm not sure how I feel about this yet, though I agree that using AI to clean up an earlier recording is a good use of the technology (assuming it's used judiciously, etc.). What's not up for debate is that George is the all-time best Beatle. :)
George is the only one cool enough to hang with Roy Orbison and Tom Petty and that's fact!
touche