The Beatles are back on the charts with a new song with vocals recorded decades ago. "Now and Then," a previously unreleased demo by John Lennon, has been completed and released by the surviving members of the band, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison's estate.
The song, which features Lennon's vocals and piano, along with new contributions from the other Beatles, has debuted at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, after topping the U.K. charts last week. This marks the band's 35th Top 10 song on the Hot 100, extending their record for the most by a group. It is also their 72nd Hot 100 hit, which is the most by bands who play their own instruments.
The last time the Beatles were in the Top 10 of the Hot 100 was in 1996, with another Lennon demo, "Free as a Bird," which was also finished by the remaining Beatles. With "Now and Then," the Beatles have achieved the longest gap between Top 10s for any act with sole billing, at 27 years, 10 months and two weeks.
The Beatles have also joined an elite club of artists who have had a Top 10 hit in four different decades: the '60s, '70s, '90s and 2020s. They are only the 13th act and the second band to do so, following Aerosmith.
The Beatles' first song to reach the Top 10 was "I Want To Hold Your Hand," which also debuted at number seven in January 1964. The song went on to become their first number one hit in the US, and sparked the phenomenon known as the British Invasion.
"Now and Then" is part of a new compilation album, The Beatles: The Collection III, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the band's formation. The album features rare and unreleased tracks, as well as remixed versions of some of their classics. The album is available on streaming platforms, CD and vinyl.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]