In a notable first, the Beatles’ song “Now and Then” has been nominated for Best Rock Performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards, along with Green Day, Pearl Jam and the Black Keys. Originally recorded as a rough demo by John Lennon in the 1970s, the project finally came to fruition in 2023 when AI separated John Lennon’s vocals, allowing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to complete the song. I did.
This nomination signals a shift in the way AI enables musical innovation while preserving legacy. Although some purists question whether AI belongs in the creative field, surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr eventually completed the song and released it in 2023. This provided strong evidence of the role of AI in both music preservation and innovation.
AI brings life
This last Beatles song, “Now and Then,” was a demo given to McCartney by Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono, and was recorded on cassette with Lennon playing the piano. McCartney previously used AI to work on John Lennon’s songs “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love.” With the help of AI from the documentary “Get Back,” McCartney was able to mix the song and perform it with Lennon during his recent tour.
Other musicians are similarly exploring the capabilities of AI to enhance their work. For example, Canadian musician Claire Ellis Boucher, known as Grimes, introduced AI software Elf.tech to allow fans to create new tracks using her voice through AI. Additionally, composer Holly Herndon uses neural networks to transform her compositions into complex soundscapes.
Similarly, David Guetta used AI to recreate Eminem’s voice in a live performance, demonstrating AI’s flexibility in creative expression.
Additionally, artists like Taryn Southern and Sean Everett are experimenting with AI tools like IBM’s Watson Beat and OpenAI’s jukebox to enhance their music production, pushing the boundaries between human and machine creativity. We’re creating a sound that blurs the lines.
According to Ditto Music Research, a survey of more than 1,200 Ditto users found that as of 2023, approximately 60% of independent musicians will be using AI to create music. AI allows artists to transcend traditional boundaries, and the industry will likely see more AI-assisted music composition in the future.
