Fans of the legendary Wings frontman and songwriter, Paul McCartney, were left emotional after a recent performance. The Beatles icon performed three songs from Abbey Road in tribute to the 50th anniversary of the hit comedy show Saturday Night Live. Following his surprise performances at The Bowery in New York City, Sir Paul's appearance at the anniversary event has left some fans heartbroken due to a poignant detail paying homage to a previous appearance on the long-running programme. McCartney played Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight and The End, the final three songs in a medley heard on Abbey Road's B-side.
His performance has since gone viral, with many members of the public moved to tears. One user wrote: "Eighty-two and still effortlessly able to make me cry.". However, others noticed a lyrical reference to a previous appearance on Saturday Night Live by Sir Paul, who had been both host and musical guest of an episode in the mid-1990s. His double duties saw him feature in several sketches that night, one of which was remembered by fans of the show featured McCartney alongside the late actor, Chris Farley. Referencing the last lyric of The End, one user wrote: "SNL's 50th Anniversary ending it full circle with one of the best.".
They also linked the sketch between Farley and McCartney. During a hilarious moment, Farley recited lyrics from The End to McCartney and quipped: "And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make. Is that true?". Fans were deeply moved by the homage paid to Farley in the show's finale. One viewer remarked: "Paul McCartney performing Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight as a nod to Chris Farley during the SNL 50th Anniversary... 'that was awesome!' Not a dry eye in my house.".
Another expressed their love of the performance, writing: "Poetic at the SNL 50th Anniversary that Paul McCartney performed 'The End' with the line '"and in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make. " Which was a callback to a sketch he started in with the late great Chris Farley!". Some viewers were in awe of McCartney's enduring songwriting prowess. A comment read: "The "You Never Give Me Your Money" reprise during "Carry That Weight" maybe the greatest moment in recorded music.
"It blew open my mind when I was nine years old and hits like crack every single time," another fan added. Others couldn't believe McCartney’s performance quality at this stage of his career. One admirer shared: "It is incredible that he sounds like this at this stage and that he is still doing this - we are so lucky.". A different fan highlighted the emotional impact of McCartney's seasoned voice: "Hearing Paul McCartney sing these specific songs in his weathered voice that has been through life brings new feeling to the words. I cried.".
