Watch Paul McCartney embrace the past and perform The Beatles ‘Let It Be’ in 1990

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Watch Paul McCartney embrace the past and perform The Beatles ‘Let It Be’ in 1990
Far Out Staff
March 3, 2020


Credit: Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney’s recent appearances have always paid homage to his past. The singer’s contribution to music with the Beatles should rightly stand in the spotlight of any performance from Sir Paul. But for a while, the singer avoided looking back at the past.

Here we relive the tour that McCartney finally embraced his past and welcomed a host of Beatles hits to his setlist. This clip sees McCartney finally assimilating his solo career with his legendary band on his world tour.

During the seventies, following The Beatles disbandment and McCartney’s pursuit of solo glory, the singer stayed away from performing the Fab Four’s tunes. He did drop a few Beatles’ numbers during the Wings 1975-76 and 1979 tours, but for the most part they had been kept aside from the McCartney’s repertoire. On The Paul McCartney World Tour, that soon changed.

1989 would see McCartney take to the road for the first time since 1979 when the Wings tour ended. The singer had disbanded the group following a drugs bust in Tokyo in 1980 had left him feeling vulnerable while on the road. But that year would also see some other classic rock alumni take to the stage.

The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, the Who were all touring and gathering up ticket sales wherever they went. Could McCartney draw in a big enough crowd without the other members of his famous band? Yes, of course, he could.

The singer and talented musician sold-out stadiums and arena wherever he went and he repaid those faithful fans with not only some of Wings’ best tunes but a whole host of Beatles songs which would litter the setlist and delight everyone in attendance. The set would include hits like ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ and ‘Hey Jude’. But it also included rarities that hadn’t been performed since the band’s split like ‘Fool on the Hill’ and ‘The Long and Winding Road’.

Despite having an album to promote in Flowers in the Dirt, McCartney clearly took the most joy in bringing out the tracks had put him in front of thousands of adoring fans. He enjoyed giving them a taste of the past and sweet piece of nostalgia to go home with. The moment below must’ve been truly special for all those in attendance as McCartney performs The Beatles ‘Let It Be’.

The video footage comes from Get Back the 1991 concert film that documented The Paul McCartney World Tour of 1989–1990. The film was directed by Richard Lester (his most recent directorial work to date) and brought together a bunch of clips from the tour to create one of the seminal tour videos of the decade. It means it is quite difficult to accurately date and place the clip. (Answers on a postcard.)

What we do know however is that this moment is a pure spark between artist and audience. The artist, happily playing his greatest hits is showing his gratitude and thanks for the love he received by performing for his audience. The audience is awe-stricken and equally as grateful.

To preface the performance, McCartney pays homage to the other people who had put him in his position as he dedicates the song to his “buddies, John, George and Ringo.”

Watch Paul McCartney embrace the past and perform The Beatles ‘Let It Be’ in 1990.