LONDON 2012 : Sir Paul McCartney leads the crowd in singing The Beatles' Hey Jude

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What better way to end a great night than a sing-along? Sir Paul McCartney leads the crowd in singing The Beatles' Hey Jude 

• The Arctic Monkeys played one of their early hits I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor 
  
• UK Grime MC Dizzee Rascal took to the stage singing his hit song Bonkers
• Brit musician Emeli Sande sang the 1847 hymn Abide With Me 
• Other artists played during the show included Muse, The Beatles, Sugababes, The Rolling Stones, Prodigy and The Sex Pistols 
• Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg tweeted: 'Impressive though (the opening ceremony) in Beijing was, they didn’t have any great pop music to play, did they?'
• Universal Music: Album of the ceremony soundtrack would be on sale 'within moments' of the ceremony ending
• 1,000 drummers beat out their rhythm across the stadium and 80 musicians, aged from seven to 17, captivated the crowd as they joined the London Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Nimrod by Edward Elgar
• Director Danny Boyle tweets 'Proud to be British'

By JILL REILLY, DAVID WILLIAMS and LOUISE ECCLES
PUBLISHED: 23:29 GMT, 27 July 2012 

The musical climax of the evening was provided by Sir Paul McCartney, the most successful songwriter in British history, who had the crowd singing and swaying. 

Smiling widely as he sat playing the piano, the British singer performed two songs: The End and Hey Jude.

Towards the end of the performance he stood up and clapped his hands in the air, encouraging the audience to sing-along. 

He asked the men to join in - and then asked the women to get involved, before the whole stadium sang together.

Crowd pleaser: The crowd inside the Olympic stadium were swaying and singing tonight as Sir Paul McCartney closed the Opening Ceremony

Atmosphere: The British singer asked the men to join in - and then asked the women to get involved, before the whole stadium sang together

He was watched by his daughter Stella McCartney who has played a key part in designing Team GB's costumes. 

Broadcast to a television audience estimated at one billion, Universal Music said an album of the ceremony soundtrack would be on sale 'within moments' of the ceremony ending.

Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg tweeted: 'Impressive though (the opening ceremony) in Beijing was, they didn’t have any great pop music to play, did they?”

The ceremony began gently, with Edward Elgar, the hymn Jerusalem and Danny Boy - but soon started to rock.

Olympic ceremonies often play it safe. But Boyle, who brought in the electronic duo Underworld as musical directors, gave his show a cheeky edge.

The Sex Pistols, once the outrageous face of punk, were included with their song Pretty Vacant.

Dancing shoes: The Arctic Monkeys played one of their early hits I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor

The group performed The Beatles song Come Together as bikers with wings cycled around the stadium

As the band performed fireworks shot up around the stadium

Spectacular: The English indie rock band who became a group in 2002 performed towards the end of the evening

Boyle even slipped in a few bars of the Pistols’ snarling God Save the Queen (“the fascist regime”) early on - although he respectfully did it before Queen Elizabeth II had entered the stadium.

In parts, it was like a Union Jack jukebox - a medley of tracks from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Queen, the Specials and the Jam, the Stone Roses and Eurythmics, and what seemed like dozens more.

The list spanned generations, from The Who’s My Generation right up to live performances from two of the hottest homegrown acts of the moment.

A dramatic section featuring 75 bikes representing the traditional doves which were released at Games from ancient times to signal peace, was accompanied by the music of the Arctic Monkeys, including their No. 1 hit I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

Stand out: Bright neon colours on the dancers' costumes made an effective scene

Dancing feet: A montage of songs were played as brightly-coloured dancers took to the stage

As they played to thousands of people in the stadium and millions around the world, fireworks surrounding the East London arena lit up the sky.

In a reflection of British humour and the East End there was a version of I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles.

UK Grime MC Dizzee Rascal took to the stage singing his hit song Bonkers - he is a local boy brought up in the East End.

He said: 'It is exciting to be part of the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. It is a good time for the UK and I am glad they asked me to perform one of my greatest tracks to represent the country.

'Huge respect to all the athletes who are taking part and let's get the party started.'

Emeli Sande who sang the hymn Abide With Me said: 'I am extremely proud and humbled to be part of the amazing ceremony which will allow the world to see some of the best up-and-coming and established talent the UK has produced.'

It was written by Henry Fancis Lyte in 1847 and he died three weeks after completing it.

The hymn has been sung at every FA Cup final since 1927.

It is also a regular tune heard at Rugby League internationals.

Singing to millions: Emeli Sande sang the hymn Abide With Me - it was written by Henry Fancis Lyte in 1847

National treasure: UK Grime MC Dizzee Rascal took to the stage singing 'Bonkers'

The musical melange continued during the athletes parade, with members of the 204 national teams circling the track to everything from West End Girls by the Pet Shop Boys and Rolling in the Deep by Adele.

The British squad entered to a roar of applause - and Bowie’s anthem-like Heroes, while Pink Floyd played during the fireworks display.

A thousand drummers beat out their rhythm across the stadium and 80 musicians, aged from seven to 17, captivated the crowd as they joined the London Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Nimrod by Edward Elgar.

A young male chorister moved the audience to tears last night with a stunning solo during his choir’s rendition of Jerusalem.

Despite a global audience of four billion, he kept his composure as he led the Dockhead Choir, from Southwark, South East London.

Dressed in yellow striped tops, the choir sang a note-perfect version of the song, often associated with patriotism and based on the short poem by William Blake.

Looking bored: The London Symphony Orchestra played Chariots of Fire as Mr Bean - actor Rowan Atkinson - took to a keyboard

The Bean way: Half-way through the performance Mr Bean took out his phone and then proceeded to sneeze, while playing one key repetitively

Musician Frank Turner took to the stage with a band before the opening ceremony. 

The English singer folk singer played 'I Still Believe' as actors dressed in period clothing walked out on to the green scene. 

He had previously practiced twice at the venue this week before he made his Olympic debut to the crowd.  

Another act during the night was funnyman Mr Bean.

The London Symphony Orchestra took centre stage playing Chariots of Fire as Mr Bean - British actor Rowan Atkinson - took to a keyboard.

The performance cut to a video of Mr Bean running down the beach made famous in the opening scene of the 1981 film.

British ceremony: God Saave The Queen was sang by the Kaos Signing Choir for Deaf and Hearing Children

Singing out: The pyjama-clad choir ranged from young children to teenagers

Past bedtime: Artists perform on beds during the Opening Ceremony

Oscar winner Boyle, the man responsible for the the remarkable transformation of the stadium where the athletics will take place, said: 'Tonight's a warm-up act for the Games.

'That's one of the things you have to keep remembering.

'You big it up for different reasons, and you hear it bigged up or slammed or whatever it is and you've got to keep remembering we're the warm-up act.'

First act: Folk musician Frank Turner performs under a hill with a tree during the pre-show of the opening ceremony

PART ONE

Captain Algernon Drummond, William Johnson Cory - Eton Boating Song

Elgar, AC Benson - Land of Hope and Glory

The Jam - Going Underground

Muse - Map of the Problematique

Big Ben Chimes

Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen

The Clash - London Calling

Simon May - EastEnders Theme

The Shipping Forecast

Sir Hubert Parry, William Blake - Jerusalem

Elgar - Nimrod

Handel - Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

Eric Coates - Dambusters March

Handel - Music for the Royal Fireworks

Monty Norman - James Bond Theme

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells

Mike Oldfield - In Dulci Jubilo

Vangelis - Chariots of Fire

BBC News 1954

Arthur Wood - The Archers Theme

Winifred Atwell - Black and White Rag

PART TWO

Sugababes - Push the Button

OMD - Enola Gay

David Rose - The Stripper

Lionel Bart - Food Glorious Food

Irwin Kostal, Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman - Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Rizzle Kicks - When I Was a Youngster

Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight

Colin Tully - Gregorys Girl Theme

William Pitt - City Lights

The Who - My Generation

The Rolling Stones - Satisfaction

Millie Small - My Boy Lollipop

The Kinks - All Day and All of the Night

The Beatles - She Loves You

Mud - Tiger Feet

Led Zeppelin - Trampled Under Foot

The Specials - A Message to You Rudy

David Bowie - Starman

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

Sex Pistols - Pretty Vacant

Duran Duran - The Reflex

New Order - Blue Monday 

PART 3

Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax

Soul II Soul - Back To Life

Happy Mondays - Step On 

Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony

Prodigy - Firestarter

Underworld - Born Slippy

Jaan Kenbrovin, John William Kellette - Im Forever Blowing Bubbles 

Blur - Song 2

Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers

Tigerstyle - Nacnha Onda Nei (contains Michael Jackson - Billie Jean, Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure and Ilaiyaraaja - Naanthaan Ungappanda)

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor

Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse - Valerie

Prodigy - Firestarter

Radiohead - Creep

Muse - Uprising

Kano & Mikey J - Random Antic

Tinie Tempah - Pass Out

MIA - Paper Planes

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

The Chemical Brothers - Galvan

PART 4

Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out

Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict a Riot

Roll Deep - Shake a Leg

Adele - Rolling in the Deep

Oasis - The Hindu Times

Oasis - Wonderwall

Emeli Sande - Heaven

William Monk/Henry Francis - Abide With Me

Pink Floyd - Eclipse

The Beatles - The End

The Beatles - Hey Jude

David Bowie - Heroes

Eric Spear - Coronation Street Theme

Ron Grainer - Doctor Who Theme

John Philip Sousa - Monty Python Theme/The Liberty Bell

David Bowie - Absolute Beginners