The Beatles returned to the top of the UK music charts on Friday, with record-breaking single “Now and Then” making history as the band with the biggest gap between their first and last chart-topping single.
Described as the Beatles' final song, “Now and Then” features the voice of the late John Lennon and was developed using artificial intelligence. The song also contains parts recorded by living members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as the late George Harrison.
The group's 18th UK number one hit returned the Beatles to the top of the Official Singles Chart, 60 years after the group's first single, “From Me to You”. This feat also extends the Beatles' record as the British band with the most UK number one singles in Official Chart history.
The Official Charts Company said the band are the group with the longest gap in number one singles – 54 years – and the oldest to achieve a number one in the UK chart. McCartney is 81, while Ringo Starr is 83.
“It's incomprehensible. It took me by surprise,” McCartney said in a statement. “It's also a very emotional moment for me. I loved it!”
The Official Charts Company said the song is the best-selling single of the year so far in the UK, with 48,600 physical and download sales based on the first seven days after release.
It is also the best-selling vinyl single of this century so far in the UK, with over 19,400 copies sold on vinyl, and is the most-played Beatles song on streaming platforms in a week, with over 5 million streams.
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