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Paul McCartney Caps SNL Season 51 Finale With New Single, Classics and a Surprise Encore

The set doubled as a launch pad for his Liverpool‑rooted album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, due May 29.

Overview

  • McCartney returned to SNL’s Season 51 finale on Saturday and performed three songs across the broadcast.
  • He led with Days We Left Behind from The Boys of Dungeon Lane, which arrives May 29 and includes his first vocal duet with Ringo Starr on Home to Us.
  • He closed the night with a surprise encore of Coming Up during the on‑air goodnights, a rare chance for a musical guest to play over the credits.
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith hijacked Will Ferrell’s monologue as a lookalike gag and then backed McCartney on drums, as McCartney also popped into sketches including a mechanic bit.
  • Reaction was split on social media, with some praising the throwback moment and others criticizing the live vocal sound during the broadcast.