Paul McCartney Easily Proves He’s a Living Legend at Globe Life Park in Arlington
Paul McCartney is a music legend. He proved it once again last Friday night (June 14) to a packed house as he brought his Freshen Up Tour to Globe Life Park in Arlington.
At 76 (he just turned 77 June 18) McCartney can still make the girls hearts skip a beat and bring a big smile to all the faces in the audience. Opening the show with the Beatles classic "A Hard Day's Night" to a crowd of almost 40,000 people he said we were going to have fun tonight and boy did we! What a night, and to be there with two of my dearest and oldest friends plus one friend's two older sisters. Of course, all of us just happen to be Super Beatle Fans! Paul played for almost 3 hours only pausing to make his way to his piano or to grab a different guitar.
How does someone with a song catalog as big as his, decide on what songs to sing? Very carefully! It was a well-orchestrated show of 38 songs touching all the stages of his career. From one early song with the Quarrymen (the first song they actually recorded in a studio) to the Beatles, Wings plus songs from his current album Egyptian Station. My friends and I dressed the part for his new song "Who Cares" with the upside down question mark on the back of our shirts and parasols inspired by the video.
Not only did he sing the classics but Paul definitely has some great storytelling skills as he told the story of when the Beatles recorded "Love Me Do". He said they were all nervous. John Lennon was singing lead on the song originally but also playing the harmonica. Their producer George Martin wanted John to come in with the harmonica at the word "do" so he asked Paul to take over the lead vocals. Paul said he was nervous anyway and now petrified. He told the audience he can still hear the nervousness in his voice on that record, then he said "But not tonight" and broke into the song.
Paul shared stories about John and George. Then he performed George's song "Something" with a ukelele that George had given him. Paul's band was spot on all night and you could tell they were having a blast on stage performing together. At the encore, they all came out carrying big flags and waved them around. The US Flag, the Texas Flag, the Union Jack and a rainbow flag followed by the drummer coming up from behind enjoying a glass of wine. That guy was a hoot.
Throughout the three hour concert, the audience laughed together, sang together and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a tear or two as Paul sang Let it Be, Hey Jude and Elenor Rigby. He sang "My Valentine" for his wife Nancy, who was in the audience. When he started singing "Maybe I'm Amazed" I couldn't help but think about his late wife Linda.
Unfortunately, the night was coming to an end. Paul said it was time to go and jokingly reminded us that we needed to go home too, but we would see him next time. Oh,Paul, we hope so! We sure do hope so!