Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 25, 2025 · Science

AI Resurrects John Lennon: Hear His Voice in Stunning New Clarity!

Paul McCartney has once again used AI on two more Beatles songs. Pictured, Sir Paul McCartney performs at London's O2 Arena during his 'Got Back' world tour in December 2024

BEATLES SECRETS REVEALED: Paul McCartney Taps into AI to Unleash John Lennon's Hidden Vocals

In a move that has left fans and critics alike scratching their heads, Paul McCartney has once again enlisted the help of artificial intelligence (AI) to complete the Beatles' discography. The legendary musician, known for his iconic voice and songwriting skills, is set to release two new tracks featuring John Lennon's vocals, expertly restored by AI.

The songs in question are "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love", which were originally recorded in demo form by Lennon before his tragic death in 1980. The demos were subsequently passed on to McCartney, who worked with George Harrison and Ringo Starr to add fresh music to the tracks in the early 1990s.

The Beatles pictured in 1963 - from left, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison

However, according to sources close to the project, McCartney was never entirely satisfied with the sound quality of Lennon's vocals on these particular songs. With the limitations of 1990s recording technology, Lennon's voice often sounded muffled and distant, overwhelmed by his accompanying piano and electrical hum from the mains.

That was until the advent of AI. McCartney has teamed up with WingNut Films, a New Zealand production company led by none other than Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. The team has developed an AI tool called MAL (machine assisted learning), which has been used to separate Lennon's vocals from the rest of the recording.

The result is nothing short of astonishing. Using MAL, McCartney and his team have managed to "unbake" the cake, as it were, restoring John Lennon's vocals to crystal clear perfection. The difference between the original demos and the newly restored tracks is like night and day – or rather, like 1980s demo quality versus modern studio wizardry.

Peter Jackson's production company WingNut Films' machine audio learning (MAL) audio technology (pictured) was used to make John Lennon's vocals clearer

The two new songs will be released on an upcoming reissue of the Beatles Anthology compilation later this year. Interestingly, McCartney's use of AI to restore Lennon's vocals has sparked debate within the music industry. Some have hailed it as a revolutionary breakthrough, while others have questioned the role of technology in creating "new" content.

In May 2025, McCartney was among 400 creatives who signed an open letter urging the UK government to regulate AI firms and force them to reveal the copyrighted works used to train their models. However, this latest move seems to suggest that he is willing to set aside his reservations when it comes to using AI in creative projects.

The use of MAL has also raised eyebrows due to its similarity to "generative" AI – a type of technology that creates new content by learning from existing data. While McCartney has been critical of generative AI, the fact that he is now embracing its cousin, machine-assisted learning (MAL), has left some fans wondering if there's more to the story than meets the eye.

Before the making of Now and Then, Peter Jackson used MAL for his 2021 Disney+ documentary 'Get Back' to uncover hidden studio conversations between the Beatles during rehearsals

One thing is certain, however – this latest development is set to send shockwaves through the music industry. Fans are eagerly anticipating the release of these two new tracks, which promise to shed new light on the Beatles' legacy and reignite interest in their iconic music.

Listen to one of the songs here:

It's worth noting that the use of AI in this project is not without controversy. While some have hailed it as a groundbreaking achievement, others have expressed concerns about the role of technology in creating "new" content. In an era where the boundaries between art and technology are increasingly blurred, McCartney's decision to enlist the help of AI has sparked a lively debate.

Lennon played the song while a cassette recorder was running on top of his piano, although it was at the time unfinished. He's pictured here during studio sessions for Imagine (1971)

However, one thing is clear – this latest development marks a new chapter in the Beatles' discography, one that promises to shed new light on their legacy and inspire a new generation of fans.

Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr work on a John Lennon demo during the mid 1990s

Now and Then features on the reissue of legendary Beatles compilation The Blue Album, which, along with The Red Album, was released on November 10