The Beatles’ new song, Now and Then, is a beautiful piece of music. It also is an important demonstration of the “good” to be found in the use of Artificial Intellgience. Musically, the song is “Beatley” in all the right ways (for example, the quarter-note rhythmic piano chords and the George Martin-style string arrangement, courtesy of his son Giles, sound familiar to Beatles fans). It is laden with wonderful emotional cues, both in title and lyric, that suggest this is a personal song from John to Paul – a song about John’s love for Paul (as well as the times when that love may have been absent). Technically, the song demonstrates the wonder of AI and its ability to separate cleanly the vocal from other instrumentation – opening the door for “new” works from thousands of long-departed artists who left behind taped demo tunes of varying audio quality. It is interesting that while the song is generally very well received by Beatles fans (and many people who are not huge Beatles fans), there are some listeners who have negative opinions on the song. This highlights an interesting question that can be considered when long-established artists (in this case musicians) release new works. It seems possible that these new works will be evaluated unfairly simply because older works are, in fact, older.
It is suggested that the reluctance or resistance to embracing a new Beatles song, such as "Now and Then," can be attributed to various psychological factors. This includes emotional and memory attachment to the band's earlier work. As a result, some people may not immediately connect with the new material.
The Beatles status in the history of music is undeniable. Given the creativity underlying their work and the band's popular longevity (in terms of radio play and music sales), many listeners across multiple generations associate their songs with specific memories, emotions, and periods of their lives. When a new song is introduced, it is unlikely to evoke the same nostalgia and sentimentality as the classics that have been a part of people's lives for decades. This principle of hedonic adaptation could make it difficult for a new Beatles song to match the emotional impact of their older tracks.
Indeed, we tend to prefer things to stay the same and often resist change. This "status quo bias" can make it challenging for fans to embrace a new Beatles song because it disrupts the established familiarity associated with them. The Beatles' earlier work is considered legendary, and their songs known throughout the world, even to casual listeners. When a new song is released, it is inevitably compared to past successes. If it doesn't measure up to the perceived greatness of the Beatles' classics, listeners may feel disappointed.
In the case of an iconic band such as the Beatles, that band becomes more than a music group, it becomes a cultural phenomenon. Fans often form a part of their identity around their appreciation for the band. The introduction of new material may challenge this identity, causing resistance. Fans do not want to alter their long-standing perception of their connection to the Beatles and their place in the broader cultural context.
It is also fairly well established that people tend to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and preferences. If listeners are already inclined to believe that the Beatles' best work is behind them, they may approach a new song with a bias against it, focusing on elements that reinforce their preconceived notions. The use of AI may also tinge people's perception of the music -- viewing it as fake, or some computer generated "thing" not of the minds and musical souls of John, Paul, George, and Ringo (notwithstanding that at least in the case of Now and Then, AI was simply used to isolate Johns voice).
The psychological resistance to a new Beatles song (or any new work of art from any long-standing and well-loved creative source) stems from an interplay of emotions, memories, biases, and a deep-seated connection to the band's earlier work. Overcoming these barriers often requires time for the new material to carve out its own place in the listener's emotional and cognitive landscape. It is believed that after summer romances, anniversary dances, breakups, and other emotional memories come to pass with the tune heard in the background, Now and Then will find its place in the general public opinion as an excellent Beatles tune and a meaningful component of the band's total catalog.
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