The Beatles’ “Now and Then” is out.
The John Lennon song was written in 1977-78, four years after John returned to Yoko Ono and the Dakota after his 18 months with girlfriend May Pang.
So who was he missing, as the song says? Not Yoko. She was there in the apartment. Some will say it’s mother, Julia. But it sounds more like it was Pang, who John had a memorable time with in 1973-74 until he mysteriously and unaccountably returned to Ono.
In her documentary, “The Lost Weekend: A Love Story,” Pang says she was in touch with Lennon after he left her. But that would have been by phone. The wistfulness of the original Lennon demo has ex-girlfriend/good times written all over it.
PS It wasn’t the other Beatles, because he was in touch with them.
[Intro]
(One, two, three)
[Refrain]
I know it’s true
It’s all because of you
And, if I make it through
It’s all because of you
[Verse 1]
And, now and then
If we must start again
Well, we will know for sure
That I will love you
[Chorus]
Now and then
I miss you
Oh, now and then
I want you to be there for me
Always to return to me
[Verse 2]
I know it’s true
It’s all because of you
And, if you go away
I know you’ll never stay
