The Grammys and new music, every now and then
I was going through the Grammy 2025 nominations when I was struck by several things. First, 5 of the 8 nominations for new artists were women, and one of the 3 men nominated was from Pakistan. Apparently something has changed in the Academy.
The new talent nominations, in case you didn’t see them were, Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Khruangbin, RAYE, Chappell Roan. Shaboozey, and Teddy Swims. Khruangbin is a trio that is mostly instrumental , but the Latina bass player, Laura Lee Ochoa(aka Leezy,) who co-founded the band, not only keeps the bassline moving, but sings on the band’s non-instrumental songs.
The other thing that struck me was the choices for Record of the Year of the year, I am not surprised by Taylor Swift for “Fortnight” featuring Post Malon, Charli XCX for “360, Billie Eilish for “Birds of a Feather” , Kendrick Lamar for “Not Like Us”, and Beyoncé for “Texas Hold Em” (how could they not?). And I was happy to see “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, and “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter.
But what stuck out was the Beatles. Yes, the Beatles, who have been nominated for “Now and Then“, a song written and left incomplete by John Lennon 45 years ago.
“Now and Then” has emerged as a popular addition to their encyclopedic discography, capturing the attention of fans and critics alike. Originally penned by John Lennon in the late 1970s, he recorded the home demo on cassette in 1977 and the track remained unfinished until Paul McCartney and producer Giles Martin (the son of George Martin, the Beatles’ former producer often referred to as the “Fifth Beatle” ) decided to revisit it. Their collaboration aimed to complete this heartfelt ballad, which to me, embodies an important part of the essence of The Beatles’ musical legacy
The journey of “Now and Then” to its release has been lengthy, spanning over four decades. Initially intended to be part of a project featuring other unreleased Lennon tracks, the song faced numerous challenges and delays. In a way it was prescient in the line And if I make it through/ It’s all because of you.” He didn’t make through, but thanks to his friend Paul McCartney and his bandmates, the song made it through.
The unfinished song stayed in the Beatles archives long after he was murdered in 1980, but then the surviving Beatles decided to finish it for him – a tricky proposition, but a loving one. And they knew exactly how to do it. In 2022 McCartney started the project using Lennon’s original 1977 unfinished recording and guitar riffs from the 1995 Anthology sessions played by George Harrison, who passed away from cancer in 2001. Ringo Starr re-recorded the drumming and sang background vocals and Martin produced a mix that became a top ten single in the Billboard Hot 100.
It struck me in several ways. I grew up with the Beatles, cried when John Lennon was shot, and still play “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” at least twice a week. So a new song by John Lennon – even if it is really an old song – is an event, which frankly, eclipses the other songs nominated at least in emotional impact. More than that, though, it makes me wonder, is this the final end of the Beatles era, of the music that upended society, the music industry, creativity and so much more? And I wonder if the changes in the musical, racial, gender, and national diversity in the Academy and what music is today, can be traced back to a band whose songs never seem to die.
The release has also included a CD single contrasting “Now and Then” with the band’s first UK single, “Love Me Do,” showcasing the contrast between their early and later work. We know that there are more unfinished songs in the Beatles archives. Maybe Paul and Ringo will bring them back and finish them, every now and then.
Patrick O’Heffernan
