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Former Beatles member, Paul McCartney delivered a memorable performance at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special on February 16, 2025. He closed the show with a medley of classics from the band.
The songs included Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, and The End from their album Abbey Road, as he captivated the audience with his signature style.
He started his performance with the song Golden Slumbers as he sang the lyrics:
"Once there was a way to get back homeward/Once there was a way to get back home/Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry/And I will sing a lullaby."
McCartney closed with the song, The End.
"In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make,” he crooned the lyrics.
The album was released on September 26, 1969.
Reportedly, the track, The End was composed by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney, according to The Paul McCartney Project’s official website. Abbey Road is the 11th studio album by the Beatles. It was the last album to be recorded by the band.
Paul McCartney has been a guest at Saturday Night Live four times, particularly in 1980, 1993, 2010, and 2012, as reported by Stereogum. But, according to a report in People magazine, he has made cameos in 2006, 2013 and 2015. He was also present during the show’s 40th anniversary special in 2015. Although he never hosted the show.
His performance has received an overwhelming response from the viewers including social media users. Some have described it as electric as the 82-year-old singer showcased his youthful energy at the anniversary special.
Netizens react to Paul McCartney’s Saturday Night Live performance at its 50th anniversary special
Paul McCartney’s performance at the Saturday Night Live has received praise from the majority of his fans. He even left the audience spellbound with his electrifying performance. However, some noticed that he went “out of tune” during the show.
“paul mccartney always knows how to steal the show,” one user reacted to his performance
“I love Sir Paul. I geninuely thought he’d do the long and winding road or let it be for an actual in memorium segment. I never thought the last half of the Abbey Road Medley was coming,” another fan wrote.
“It was a fitting and nostalgic way to end a star-studded birthday event,” a third person commented.
“Legendary performance by a music icon,” another netizen added.
“The greatest living musical icon…Even other celebrities seem to be in awe when they encounter and speak of Paul McCartney. #legend,” a fan wrote.
However, a few were disappointed by his performance and believed he was “out of tune.”
"Let's be brutally honest here he sounded horrible and was out of tune. I love the guy but that performance stunk,” one wrote.
“He was better at Coachella '09.” Another fan compared his performance to Coachella 2009 which was highly praised.
Although the Beatles never performed on Saturday Night Live, other members, including George Harrison and Paul McCartney, have been a part of the show over the years. Reportedly, Harrison’s first performance was in November 1976. McCartney appeared on the show in May 1980, just a day after the release of McCartney II, according to a report in Far Out Magazine.
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SNL50: The Anniversary Special was aired on NBC and will be available to stream on Peacock.
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