The Beatles’ ‘Now And Then’ Holds Narrow Lead – Billboard

The Beatles are set to prove once again why they’re the champions of the U.K., as “Now And Then” (via Apple Corps) takes pole position in the current chart race.

Based on sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, “Now And Then” is the leader at the halfway point, and is forecast to snag a second week at No. 1.

The Fab Four has some work to do. “Now And Then” has the edge over new releases from Jack Harlow (“Lovin’ On Me” at No. 2 via Atlantic) and Dua Lipa (“Kinetic Houdini” at No. 3 via Warner Records) on the Official Chart Update, with roughly 2,000 chart units splitting the top three.

The Fab Four’s “last” song,” “Now And Then” took the elevator to No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Friday, Nov. 10, having opened the previous week at No. 42 based on just 10 hours of sales and streams.

On its way to the top, the Beatles busted a string of records. Among them, the track leads the chart some 60 years and six months after the Beatles’ first No. 1, “From Me To You,” marking the longest span between an act’s first and last chart-topping hit, the OCC reports.

Also, “Now and Then” is the Beatles’ 18th U.K. No. 1, extending their record as the British act with the most leaders, and it’s the longest-ever gap between No. 1 singles for any act (54 years).

From tape to the top of the charts, “Now And Then” is the stuff of legend. Originally a demo recorded by the late John Lennon in the 1970s, the project was brought to the studio by the surviving Beatles, then shelved in the mid-1990s due to technical limitations. Led by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the surviving members of the Beatles, the project was recently revived and completed with the help of computer learning software created by Peter Jackson’s team at WingNut Films.

Beatlemania doesn’t end at the singles survey. The legendary band is on track for a U.K. chart double, as the Red and Blue collections dominate the top two spots on the midweek albums tally.

All will be revealed when the Official Charts are published late Friday, Nov. 17.