The music video for The Beatles’ “final song” has been released, with Peter Jackson revealing his initial reluctance to direct it. The song, Now And Then, which was released yesterday, features all four Beatles. The music video, directed by three-time Oscar winner Jackson, includes previously unseen footage of the band’s early days. Originally written and recorded by John Lennon in the late 1970s and developed by the other band members, including George Harrison, in 1995, Now And Then was not released due to limited technology affecting the sound quality. However, thanks to new audio restoration technology pioneered by Jackson, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr were able to finish the song over four decades later. The song was released alongside a remastered version of the band’s 1962 debut single Love Me Do as a double A-side, featuring cover art by US artist Ed Ruscha. The audio version of Now And Then has already received almost five million streams on YouTube, with fans also listening on streaming sites like Spotify and Apple Music. Jackson expressed his reluctance to create the accompanying music video, citing the pressure of living up to the expectations attached to the last song ever released by The Beatles. Despite having never made a music video before and facing insecurities over the band’s breakup and the absence of some members, Jackson eventually agreed to create the video. He was provided with precious seconds of early footage of The Beatles, including never-before-seen scenes of the band performing in leather suits. The video showcases the band’s relaxed, funny, and candid moments, aiming to evoke emotions in viewers. In addition, Jackson received over 14 hours of footage from the 1995 recording sessions. He expressed pride in the final video and its creation process. The release of the music video coincides with a special launch event in Liverpool, where Beatles fans lined up overnight to purchase a vinyl copy of Now And Then. John Lennon, a dedicated Beatles fan who officially changed his name in April 2022, bought the first copy of the newly released track. Remastered and expanded versions of the 1962-66 and 1967-70 collections will also be released next Friday. Sir Paul McCartney, speaking in a documentary about the recording of Now And Then, expressed his gratitude for working closely with his bandmates and the significance of continuing to work on Beatles music in 2023. He emphasized that Now And Then is a genuine Beatles recording featuring all the band members.