One of the highlights of this year’s Grammy Awards was Paul McCartney closing the show by singing the Beatles’ classic “Golden Slumbers”/”Carry That Weight”/”The End” set from Abbey Road (1969). Sir Paul also had some help on vocals and guitar from some other great artists, including Joe Walsh, Bruce Springsteen, and Grammy-winning Foo Fighter Dave Grohl.
The guitar work at the end is a treat, but the best part is the final strains of the lyrics where Grohl is standing behind McCartney singing. Grohl has no microphone, but with a smile on his face he sings anyway for the joy of it, the way many of us have done in our bedrooms as kids listening to the album. But Grohl gets to do it onstage with a look on his face that shows he is thinking, “I can’t believe I’m playing with Paul McCartney!” On a night tinged with sad tributes to Whitney Houston and Glen Campbell (who gave his final Grammy performance on stage as he succombs to Alzheimer’s disease), that image of Grohl captures perfectly the point that host LL Cool J made at the opening of the show: It’s all about the music.
“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”
[February 2013 Update: The entire performance is no longer available, but in the short clip below you may see Grohl singing behind McCartney.]
What did you think of last night’s Grammy Awards show and this closing set? Leave your two cents in the comments.
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Sir Paul was the most exciting thing about the show. Watching his facial expressions and enthusiasm as an audience member is a testament to the fact that the man bleeds music. His “My Valentine” highlights his versatility as a singer, artist and songwriter. And the closing number was a real treat. All of the musicians – particularly Dave Grohl, who you’ve pointed out – were thoroughly enjoying themselves.
It’s funny how with all the young artists out there, it is still one of the Beatles who can come on and steal the show. Good point about his versatility too. While his voice is not what it used to be, he still sings better than most. And in some ways his voice has matured nicely too. Thanks for the comment.