Paul McCartney closes SNL 50th anniversary with Beatles medley

McCartney performs "Golden Slumbers," "Carry That Weight," and "The End" in a nostalgic tribute.

Paul McCartney performs at The O2 Arena during his 'Got Back' world tour, on December 18, 2024, in London, England. Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Sarah Oktaviany

Paul McCartney brought a nostalgic close to Saturday Night Live’s 50th-anniversary special with a stirring medley of the final three tracks from Abbey Road. Performing Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, and The End, the Beatles legend delivered an emotional conclusion to a historic night of television.

McCartney, seated at a piano, opened with Golden Slumbers, a song about returning home—a fitting choice given that the show had started with Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter performing Homeward Bound, originally sung by Simon and George Harrison on SNL in 1976.

Following the structure of Abbey Road, McCartney transitioned seamlessly into Carry That Weight before rising from the bench to play electric guitar during the instrumental segment of The End. After delivering a solo, he sang the medley’s famous closing lines:

"And in the end / The love you take / Is equal to the love you make."

As the final notes faded, McCartney thanked the studio audience, marking a special moment in SNL history.

A historic return to Saturday Night Live

Sunday’s appearance marked McCartney’s fifth time as SNL’s musical guest, with his most recent performance dating back to 2012. The former Beatle has long been associated with the show, making appearances over the decades that have cemented his status as one of SNL’s most iconic musical guests.

His performance served as a nod to both Abbey Road’s legacy and SNL’s rich musical history, particularly with his song choice mirroring the themes of nostalgia and homecoming that ran through the anniversary special.

A familiar encore for McCartney’s New York performances

McCartney’s SNL performance wasn’t the first time he played this medley in recent days. Earlier in the week, he surprised fans with a pair of pop-up shows at New York’s Bowery Ballroom. His encore at these intimate concerts was identical to his SNL setlist—Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, and The End—suggesting a deliberate tribute to the Beatles' legendary 1969 album.

A fitting finale to SNL’s milestone event

McCartney’s performance was a standout moment in a night filled with tributes, special guests, and nostalgia. As SNL celebrated half a century of comedy and music, McCartney’s rendition of Abbey Road’s finale reminded audiences of the timelessness of the Beatles’ music and its continued impact across generations.

For fans of both Saturday Night Live and the Beatles, McCartney’s closing performance was a poignant and powerful way to mark the occasion.