Paul McCartney performs three songs on SNL season finale, previews new album

Five-timer and counting

Paul McCartney marked his fifth appearance as SNL musical guest on the Season 51 finale, aired May 16, hosted by Will Ferrell. According to Billboard, his return to Studio 8H came more than 13 years after his previous performance slot on the show. His prior bookings were in 1980, 1993, 2010, and 2012.

The night revolved around McCartney more than the usual musical guest slot allows. He was given three performances instead of the standard two, plus screen time in Ferrell's monologue and a sketch alongside Ferrell and Marcello Hernandez as mechanics swindling clueless car owners.

The setlist

McCartney opened his set with "Days We Left Behind", the lead single from his upcoming album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, due May 29. The second slot went to "Band on the Run," the 1974 Paul McCartney and Wings track that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The real surprise came at the end. Rather than the usual cast goodbye, McCartney launched into "Coming Up," his 1980 Hot 100 No. 1, with the SNL cast dancing at the side of the stage. The moment was not uploaded to Saturday Night Live's YouTube channel at press time.

A monologue cameo too

In Ferrell's opening monologue, McCartney joined a running bit built around Ferrell's well-documented resemblance to Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. It was a lighter touch, but it fit the celebratory mood of a finale that felt, at least for one night, like a proper McCartney showcase.