Paul McCartney capped off a whirlwind week in New York City with a moment that brought generations to their feet. The legendary Beatle closed out SNL 50 on Sunday night with a moving live performance that served as the perfect finale to the show’s historic celebration. Broadcast live, the special honored five decades of Saturday Night Live — and no musical moment could have been more fitting or symbolic.
At 82, McCartney took the stage with a stirring rendition of the Abbey Road medley: “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight,” and “The End.” No AutoTune, no gimmicks — just Paul, his voice, and the weight of a legacy that continues to inspire. His performance was more than just music; it was a tribute to cultural endurance and the timeless power of song. For many, it was the highlight of the night — a closing that felt both intimate and iconic.
The celebration kicked off with another poignant moment: Paul Simon joined rising star Sabrina Carpenter for a beautiful duet of “Homeward Bound,” echoing his legendary 1976 performance of the same song with George Harrison on SNL. The emotional tribute set the tone for an evening steeped in nostalgia and reverence.
Throughout the night, a diverse range of artists paid tribute to the show’s musical legacy. Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard delivered a soul-stirring cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” while Lil Wayne teamed up with The Roots for a high-energy medley of his greatest hits, blending old-school hip-hop with live instrumentation.
But it was McCartney’s closing performance that truly brought everything full circle — the past, the present, and a reminder of just how powerful live music can be. A legend standing on the stage where history has been made for 50 years, singing the final notes of Abbey Road — it was, as one fan put it, “an honor to be alive at the same time as Paul McCartney.”
