Celebrate Paul McCartney’s Birthday With His Iconic ‘Carpool Karaoke’ Episode

Sir Paul McCartney is sailing past 64 to celebrate his 79th birthday today, and the Beatles star is still going strong, as one of the most beloved musicians in the world. Just yesterday, Beatles fans of all ages responded to the news that The Beatles: Get Back will be released as a six-hour docuseries on Disney+ with vows to watch every minute. (The Peter Jackson documentary, which will feature restored footage from the Let It Be recording sessions, was previously packaged as a feature-length film.)

But while fans wait for The Beatles: Get Back to drop in three parts on November 25, 26, and 27, there’s another way to celebrate McCartney’s birthday: By rewatching his fantastic episode of “Carpool Karaoke,” with host James Corden of The Late Late Show.

“Carpool Karaoke” had been a popular segment on Corden’s talk show for several years, but the late-night host took things to the next level for McCartney’s episode, which aired almost three years ago exactly in June, 2018. It couldn’t be more clear that Corden is a genuine Beatles fan himself, and it’s sweet to witness his excitement and admiration. At one point, the comedian tears up while singing “Let It Be”—as any Beatles fan singing “Let It Be” with Paul McCartney would—and shares a memory of his father and grandfather playing that record for him.

“If my grandad were here, he’d get a kick out of this,” Corden says, wiping the tears from his eyes.

“He is,” McCartney replies simply.

There are plenty more delightful singalong sessions to old Beatles hits, but the 23-minute segment is so much more than that. Corden, who traveled to McCartney’s childhood hometown of Liverpool for the segment, drives the rockstar through his old haunts, including the house where McCartney grew up, which is now owned by the UK’s National Trust.

Being in his childhood home—which, according to McCartney, was the first time he’d been back since moving away as a young adult—seems to bring back memories for the musician not often heard on the interview circuit. He tells a story about writing “She Loves You” with his writing partner and fellow Beatle John Lennon, and playing the song for McCartney’s father. McCartney’s father, also a musician, suggested that the song was too American, and would be better if the lyrics were: “She loves you, yes, yes, yes.”

Watching McCartney dart around the tiny home where he grew up with his father and brother is something special. He’s always had a boyish energy—that’s why he’s the cute Beatle—but he seems particularly youthful as he bounds into the bathroom and plops himself down the toilet, playing an air guitar for Corden. He sings, unprompted, “Everything sounds better in the bath!”

McCartney tells stories about those early days of Beatlemania, when he still lived at home, and his dad would invite fans in and offer them a cup of tea, much to McCartney’s chagrin. When Corden and McCartney step outside of the house in 2018, it’s clear nothing has changed, other than the Beatle becoming even more popular—a large crowd has gathered, hoping to catch a glimpse of the bassist.

The segment ends with a surprise Paul McCartney concert at a local Liverpool pub, where patrons have been gathered, presumably knowing they are there for something, but with no idea that a real-life Beatle was behind the curtain. Once McCartney appears, playing “A Hard Day’s Night,” it takes all of 30 seconds before the people get up and dance like they are at a rock concert—which, of course, they are. Soon, the people of all ages come flooding in as word spreads that there is a free Paul McCartney concert in the neighborhood.

At the end of the show, McCartney invites Corden to join him on his usual closer, “Hey Jude,” and Corden is overcome with emotion. It’s impossible not to get caught up in the energy of the crowd as they sing along to the “Na na na nas.” And once a rockstar, always a rockstar—McCartney hoists himself up on the car to give the crowd a few fist pumps, before he is driven away.

The entire segment is a reminder of McCartney’s continued relevance, impact, and charm. Recently, Corden revealed McCartney almost bailed on the entire thing at the last minute, so we’re eternally grateful the late-night host talked him back into it. It’s a must-watch for Beatles fans, so if you haven’t yet watched it, don’t wait another minute. And if you have, there’s no better time for a rewatch than on Macca’s birthday. It won’t fail to put a smile on your face.

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