Baden-Baden/London (dpa) – Today, as then, number one: after 54 years, the Beatles have once again conquered the singles charts in Germany and Great Britain. The song “Now And Then” shot to the top within days of its release, according to Germany’s GfK Entertainment and Britain’s The Official Charts Company.
This is the legendary band’s twelfth number one in Germany and their 18th number one in their home country. Former Beatle Paul McCartney spoke of “stunning” news. “That blows my mind,” the 81-year-old said. “It’s a very emotional moment for me too. I love it!”
The Beatles broke up in 1970. “Now And Then” is considered the group’s “last” song. The song was originally composed and sung by John Lennon in the 1970s. After Lennon’s murder in 1980, the three other former Beatles McCartney, Ringo Starr (83) and George Harrison, who died in 2001, developed the work further. But only with the help of technical innovations could the song finally be completed: thanks to artificial intelligence, Lennon’s singing could be clearly isolated from his piano playing on an old recording.
Last at number 1 on the charts in 1969.
The Beatles last topped the charts in 1969, in Germany with “Come Together” and in Britain with “The Ballad of John and Yoko.” “This means that Paul McCartney & Co. have the longest gap between two number one hits in history: 54 years,” GfK Entertainment said. “In addition, “Now And Then” achieved the biggest week of sales for an international single in more than two years.”
In Britain, the record was 44 years old: Kate Bush held the top position both in 1978 and in 2022 with her hit “Wuthering Heights.” The success of the Beatles had been expected for days. Just ten hours after its release, “Now And Then” had reached number 42 on the British charts. Now things have gone up another 41 spots.
It is not the only resurgence of a British band founded in the 60s: The Rolling Stones also occupy third place in the German album charts with their new album “Hackney Diamonds” and previously even received congratulations in Germany and Great Britain. Excellent.
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