The Beatles have earned two Grammy nominations, despite disbanding over 50 years ago and with only two surviving members.

The Beatles, one of the biggest bands in history, have released a new song. While John Lennon and George Harrison are sadly no longer around to record new music, this hasn’t stopped “Now and Then“ from earning the iconic four-piece Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance.

What’s groundbreaking is that this song marks the first AI-assisted track to be up for a Grammy, using technology to bridge the gap between past recordings and modern sound quality. With the Beatles competing against today’s top artists like Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish, this nomination speaks to the timeless appeal of their music, as well as the growing role of AI in the music industry.

The journey of “Now and Then” began when Paul McCartney revisited a 1978 John Lennon demo. Inspired by Peter Jackson’s acclaimed documentary series The Beatles: Get Back, McCartney employed AI-powered audio restoration software similar to what was used to remix the Beatles’ Revolver. The AI system helped isolate and improve the quality of Lennon’s vocals from old, low-fidelity demo tapes. This groundbreaking technology functions in a similar way to noise-reduction software, which is often used in video calls on platforms like Zoom or Discord. By applying these principles to music, McCartney was able to separate and elevate Lennon’s voice, adding new contributions from both himself and Ringo Starr to produce what he calls “the last Beatles record.”

While “Now and Then” has fewer streams than some of its Grammy competitors (78 million streams), the fact that it has achieved such recognition highlights the enduring influence of the Beatles. This song is not just a nostalgic release but a testament to how music can continue evolving through innovative tools.

As AI reshapes the industry, “Now and Then” might inspire independent artists to explore how technology can amplify their music. We’ll have to wait and see if The Beatles can rely on nostalgia to win a Grammy against current heavyweights in the industry.