The nominations for the Grammys 2025 have been announced. Among the most notable nominees were The Beatles who stand a chance of securing yet another win thanks to ‘Now and Then’ which is up for ‘Record of the Year’.
The single was released back in November 2023. Paul McCartney first announced the track in June of that year, revealing: “When we came to make what will be the last Beatles record, it was a demo that John had that we worked on, and we’ve just finished it up; it’ll be released this year.”
‘Now and Then’ was initially a demo which Lennon had made shortly before his death. His widow, Yoko Ono, later gave the recording to the surviving members of The Beatles, who first attempted to record the track in 1995 as a trio when they made ‘Free As A Bird’ and ‘Real Love’ for the Anthology project.
Due to technology issues, the surviving Beatles were unable to get ‘Now and Then’ up to an acceptable standard. However, thanks to advancements, McCartney and Ringo Starr have now been able to bring all four members back together for one final effort.
The release, therefore, proved controversial owing to the fact that AI was used to help bring it to fruition. In an age where AI threatens both jobs and the integrity of the creative industry, the song’s subsequent Grammy nomination has proved equally divisive, with some arguing that it shows how new technology can be embraced in an artistic fashion and others claiming it sets a dangerous precedence.
Discussing the work, drummer Starr says of the new Beatles track: “It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room, so it was very emotional for all of us. It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out.” But will it be enough to secure them another Grammy when the ceremony swings around on Febraury 2nd, 2025.
The contemporary names the far out anthem is up against include ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ by Beyoncé and the much talked about Chappell Roan with ‘Good Luck, Babe!’. Elsewhere, André 3000 received a nod for ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Please Please Please’ will no doubt get the popular vote from the public in the ‘Song of the Year’ category.
Alternative music was also heavily accounted for this year, with Fontaines D.C. up for ‘Best Rock Album’ alongside the likes of Idles, Jack White and even The Rolling Stones with Hackney Diamond. Meanwhile, Kim Gordon competes with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Brittany Howard, Clairo and St. Vincent in the battle for ‘Best Alternative Music Album’.
How many Grammys have The Beatles won?
Ove the years, The Beatles have taken home 13 Grammy awards. If the total also includes special honours, awards and Grammy Hall Of Fame awards, that number shoots up to 29. Over their time, and excluding those special honours, the band have been nominated 23 times.
Six of the awards were won while Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were still active as a group, and five were within the major categories. The rest of the 13 main awards were won in technical or historical categories such as ‘Best Historic Album’ or ‘Best Music Video’.
Their most recent win came this year, in 2024, as a newly released video for ‘I’m Only Sleeping’ won ‘Best Music Video’.
Grammys 2025 ‘Record of the Year’ nominations:
The Beatles – ‘Now and Then’
Beyoncé – ‘Texas Hold ’Em’
Billie Eilish – ‘Birds of a Feather’
Chappell Roan – ‘Good Luck, Babe!’
Charli XCX – ‘360’
Kendrick Lamar – ‘Not Like Us’
Sabrina Carpenter – ‘Espresso’
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – ‘Fortnight’
