Watch Paul McCartney close out ‘SNL’ with surprise performance of ‘Coming Up’

McCartney's third song of the night wrapped up the show's 51st season

Paul McCartney closed out Saturday Night Live with a surprise encore – check out footage of the moment below.

• READ MORE: NME Big Read – Paul McCartney: “The Beatles were brothers arguing, that’s what families do”

The 83-year-old music icon and Beatles star returned to the show last night (May 16) to perform the lead single from upcoming album ‘The Boys Of Dungeon Lane’, opening with the mellow ‘Days We Left Behind’ before taking on Wings classic ‘Band on the Run, with Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith on drums for both.

Later, during cast goodnights, McCartney made his way back toward the band and gathered the musicians for a final encore, performing ‘Coming Up’ –  the opening track from 1980’s ‘McCartney II’.

SNL often cuts out during goodnights due to time constraints, but last night went over, and the cast could be seen dancing in the foreground as they wrapped up Season 51.

Macca’s new album, ‘The Boys Of Dungeon Lane’, is set for release on May 29 (pre-order here) and includes a duet with former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr on ‘Home To Us’ –  a nostalgic reflection on their Liverpool roots which marks their first ever vocal collaboration.

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As well as reflecting on his roots across the deeply personal new album, McCartney also looked back to his time with The Beatles when speaking to NME in 2021.

Of his close relationship with Lennon and the disputes they would sometimes have, he said: “Working with John was great. Those are the kinds of things you remember.

“In a film, you remember that bit where the guy says ‘Hasta la vista, baby’ or whatever, and John definitely did have those withering putdowns, you know, but it was two per cent of who he was and it’s the two per cent people remember. Most of the time he was very generous, very loving, very easy to work with.”

He also opened up about returning to his hometown after reaching global fame, saying it makes “all these things come flooding back”, particularly when he sees the famous Cavern venue.

“It makes you play better, I think, being back in a little club like that, inches from your audience,” he shared. “It reminds you of how it was.”

The doors of 3 Savile Row in London’s Mayfair, meanwhile, will be open to the public next year for the first-ever official Beatles fan experience. The site of the iconic 1969 rooftop concert will allow fans access to seven floors of archives and exhibitions, while the ‘Let It Be’ studio will also be recreated.

“It was such a trip to get back to 3 Savile Row recently and have a look around,” McCartney said recently of the exhibition. “There are so many special memories within the walls, not to mention the rooftop. The team have put together some really impressive plans and I’m excited for people to see it when it’s ready.”