Paul McCartney brought an extra song to the SNL 51 finale
The octogenarian rock icon played “Days We Left Behind” and a few oldies during the show’s Season 51 finale.
Photo by Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC
Paul McCartney returned to Saturday Night Live this week for his fifth appearance as musical guest, and he brought an extra song with him! The icon, who closed out the sketch show’s 51st season alongside six-time host Will Ferrell, was last seen in Studio 8H last February when he and his band played the Beatles’ “Abbey Road Medley.” But Saturday’s episode marked McCartney’s first official musical guest appearance in 13 years. It’s a busy spring for Macca, who’s got a new album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, out in a couple weeks.
Before Weekend Update, McCartney performed “Days We Left Behind,” a warbling, sincere reflection on his early days in Liverpool. He plucked at an acoustic guitar while a montage of childhood photos played behind him. Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith—a Will Ferrell dead ringer—backed Macca on maracas. The performance was pretty, albeit a tad on the nose. For song number two, McCartney picked up the pace with a rendition of “Band on the Run.” He took off his jacket for this one, strumming his bass for the crowd. The rollicking Wings favorite roused the audience to clap along, which McCartney visually enjoyed. And, this time, they let Chad Smith play actual drums.
Most musical guests play two songs and get the hell out of Rockefeller Plaza. But not Paul McCartney. After the goodnights, the octogenarian gave a third performance: the peppy, funky “Coming Up” from McCartney II. The choice was apt: McCartney first premiered the song’s music video on the show in 1980. Watch his performances of “Days We Left Behind” and “Band on the Run” below (as of this writing, “Coming Up” has not been uploaded to YouTube; for now, consider it a secret shared between the millions who tuned in live).
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