Paul McCartney Surprises Crowd With Surprise “Wonderful Christmastime” Performance
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 03: Paul McCartney performs live on stage at the Tarrent County Convention Hall on the first night of their Wings Over America Tour in Fort Worth, Texas on MAY 03 1976 (Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns)
The start of the Christmas season is always a topic of heated debate. Some people break out the decorations the moment Thanksgiving is over, while others wait until December 1st. But, let’s settle it once and for all. The official start of Christmas is the first time you hear Sir Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.” Many absolutely and un-ironically love this cheerful holiday tune, which was first released in November 1979 as part of the McCartney II album. Even though it was a chart success, McCartney rarely performed the song live, which made his recent performance in Manchester much more special.
A Rare Live Performance of “Wonderful Christmastime”
On December 14, Paul McCartney surprised fans at his Co-op Live concert in Manchester with a special performance of “Wonderful Christmastime.” Joining him on stage were kids from the You Should Be Dancing Theatre Academy, adding even more magic to the moment. McCartney hadn’t played the song live since 2018, and before that, he performed it just once in 2016 on The Tonight Show. So, this impromptu holiday treat was a big deal for his fans.
“FINALLY!!!!!” one excited fan commented on X/Twitter, expressing just how much they appreciated the rare performance.
Despite being one of McCartney’s less-performed songs, “Wonderful Christmastime” still brings in impressive revenue. According to a 2010 Forbes report, McCartney earns around $400,000 annually from the track, with its total earnings surpassing $15 million.
McCartney’s Doubts About “Hey Jude”
Even though Paul McCartney is known for his incredible success, he’s had his moments of doubt. During a 1970 interview, McCartney admitted he was nervous about how “Hey Jude” would be received. “I was worried stiff when ‘Hey Jude’ came out just in case it wasn’t any good,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if it was any good. I can never tell.” Of course, the song went on to become a massive hit in music history.
