Article: Paul McCartney Uses AI To Sing With John Lennon

For those who don’t know, Sir Paul McCartney is one of the most famous musicians of all time and a key member of the Beatles, one of the most successful groups ever. The Beatles have sold over six hundred million units worldwide and have twenty number-one singles on the Billboard 100. Paul McCartney is also successful in his own right, with over one hundred million in sales as a solo artist. John Lennon was also a member of the Beatles and a highly successful musician himself before when he was shot to death in 1980 by a fan. Their songwriting partnership, the driving force behind most of the Beatles’ hits, is one of the most successful partnerships of all time.

The fact that Paul McCartney would use AI to sing with his late friend brings up many interesting angles. Firstly, the use of John Lennon’s voice after his death is a morally ambiguous dilemma. He and Paul were not always on good terms in life, and the band’s breakup was acrimonious. One cannot say whether he would have agreed to this collaboration. His representatives on earth clearly provided permission, but this remains a scenario that several people remain uncomfortable with. At the very least, it raises questions. It’s legal, at least in the US, but is it morally sound? Should an artist be able to restrict specific uses of their likeness in perpetuity? Would these things become standard parts of future music contracts? Should they?

In the US, the copyright act protects two types of rights: economic rights and moral rights. The economic aspect of an artist’s death is much clearer – there is already a framework to handle this in contracts. Moral rights, which are rights that allow artists to make decisions relating to the preservation and protection of their connection to their work, are fuzzier. Unlike in France, moral rights expire upon death in the US, leaving major decisions regarding the creation and presentation of an artist’s work in the hands of others.

The second aspect I found interesting is the ability of AI to create impossible “what if” moments. Paul and John were responsible for most of The Beatles’ smash hit singles and multi platinum albums. Many fans would have wished for another collaboration. The fact that AI can grant is magical compared to even a decade ago. Who knows what else is on the table? A new Jackson 5 single?

This leads to the final thing I noticed: AI’s transformative nature, which can elicit real emotion. John Lennon was a dear friend to Paul. I can only imagine, as an artist myself, how it felt to have one more jam session with him. He said, “It was hard to hold your emotions back, actually,” and commented, “It was my buddy, who’s been dead a long time, and here he was, back, and I’m working with him again.” How many times have we wished to be able to speak with a loved one just one more time? To be able to perform with a creative soulmate and even release another song is another level.

This scenario is highly relevant to my potential research topic, “The Adoption of AI in Music Production: Challenges and Opportunities for Musicians in Trinidad and Tobago.” It highlights many challenges and opportunities for AI.

It’s essential to study these scenarios because they will impact us locally very soon, and our industry needs to be prepared. There are concerns, but I am excited because there will also be fun outcomes. Suppose Machel wanted to release a new song recorded in the voice of his younger self. Many people liked young Machel’s voice and would welcome a new release in that vein.

References

McIntyre, H. (2023, August 7). Paul McCartney Says Using AI To ‘Sing’ With John Lennon Again Feels ‘Very Real.’ Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/08/07/paul-mccartney-says-using-ai-to-sing-with-john-lennon-again-feels-very-real/?sh=4ea57d7a5e9b

WIPO. (2016). Understanding Copyright and Related Rights [Book]. World Intellectual Property Organization. https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_909_2016.pdf

Susan. (2024, September 10). Legal and Ethical Issues in Posthumous Art and Artificial Intelligence. Lutzker & Lutzker. https://www.lutzker.com/legal-and-ethical-issues-in-posthumous-art-and-artificial-intelligence/