When we talk about 60s pop music, the Beatles are a name that cannot be overlooked. Their innovative sound and artistry not only defined the era but also inspired musicians across the world. Recently, their final song “Now and Then” has made headlines once again, thanks to cutting-edge technology. This song was refined using AI, which extracted the original vocals and even helped create a new music video. Remarkably, this revival has earned the Beatles a nomination at the 67th Annual Grammys, over 50 years after they first dominated the charts.
AI in the music industry has been tried before, but never has it been nominated on a platform like the Grammy’s, dedicated to celebrating music. Here, we dive deep into the world of music and how AI can be pivotal in restoring music while understanding the hurdles in this space.
History of “Now and Then”
John Lennon, the co-vocalist of the Beatles, penned the Now and Then song along with a piano demo in 1977, years after the Beatles dissolved. Lennon left a trove of unfinished and unreleased songs (including Now and Then), some of which were handed to Paul McCartney by the late vocalist’s widow, Yoko Ono in 1994— the same year John Lennon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
John Lennon
Image by www.johnlennon.com
Resurrecting the song
The surviving members of the Beatles decided to resurrect the song from the old record tape, way before the advent of AI. The early versions of the song did not match the quality that the Beatles once had and were aiming for again. The song went through different variations and a significant limbo, all the way from 1996 to 2021.
With the help of a neural network dubbed MAL (machine-assisted learning), named after the Beatles’ former road manager, Mal Evans, Lennon’s vocals were isolated from the piano. After recording additional instruments and backing vocals, the Now and Then track was released in late 2023.
All you need is…AI?
There is a surge in the usage of AI across the music industry. Around 38% of artists use AI to generate their artwork while 30.6% of artists use it for mastering their tracks. The AI music industry is projected to grow at a whopping CAGR of 25.8% to reach US$38.7 billion in 2033. This projection provides us with the possibility of AI-powered music production. However, this growing industry is met with criticism surrounding its ethical usage and authenticity.
In the Beatles’ case, machine learning techniques were employed to extract John Lennon’s vocals to provide a high-quality sound. Such usage of AI can be deemed helpful as it assists us restore old tracks without much hassle. On the other hand, generating entire tracks of music emulating popular artists through AI has raised eyebrows regarding originality and copyright issues.
Major record labels like Sony Music Entertainment, Capitol Records, Universal Music Group and many others are suing AI music generation services for copyright infringement. The primary reason behind the lawsuit is the exploitation of artists’ work across various genres and eras. Furthermore, over 200 artists have signed a letter demanding protection against the predatory use of AI. Artists and unions are urging lawmakers to regulate the usage of AI so it doesn’t mimic their likenesses and profit off of them.
Conclusion
Witnessing the Beatles being nominated for Record of the Year alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX was unexpected. This surprising nomination has led to the conversation about using AI to restore and improve music recordings.
The debate regarding AI usage in music highlights the balance between innovation and ethics. While AI can improve sound quality and revive old tracks, there are ethical concerns regarding the potential exploitation of an artist’s legacy. If done the right way, AI can be a supplemental tool for human creativity; otherwise, it risks being perceived as an exploitative practice undermining the authenticity of music and expression.
Also read:
- Spotify vs. YouTube Music: Which Music Streaming Platform Should You Choose?
- Technavio Reports: A 15.67% CAGR Rise in Music Streaming Market by 2027
- Is TikTok Good for Musicians or Is It Hurting the Music Industry?
Header image by Apple
