The Beatles' 'Now and Then' has made history as the first AI-assisted song to receive Grammy nominations, securing spots in both Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance categories.

The track represents a unique collaboration across time, featuring John Lennon's restored 1978 demo recordings alongside contributions from surviving Beatles members. Paul McCartney utilized AI technology similar to that used in Peter Jackson's "The Beatles: Get Back" documentary to clean up Lennon's original vocals, combining them with both archival George Harrison recordings and new performances by McCartney and Ringo Starr.

The AI technology functions similarly to noise-cancellation software, using machine learning to isolate and enhance Lennon's vocals from the original demo tapes. This technological breakthrough enabled the creation of what McCartney calls "the last Beatles record."

Despite its historic nominations, "Now and Then" faces strong competition from contemporary artists like Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Billie Eilish. With 78 million Spotify streams, it currently has the lowest streaming numbers among Record of the Year nominees. However, the nominations themselves demonstrate the enduring influence of The Beatles, proving their ability to remain culturally relevant 50 years after their breakup.

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