Written by Host Will Ferrell added his signature cowbell to “Help!”
By Nate Todd May 21, 2026 • 1:54 pm PDT
Last weekend, musical guest Paul McCartney helped Saturday Night Live close out its 51st season. SNL recently shared two bonus performances of Beatles songs the legendary musician delivered that didn’t air in entirety on the show.
McCartney’s first solo album in five years, The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, arrives on May 29 via MPL/Capitol. Macca went on SNL to promote the album with a performance of the record’s “Days We Left Behind.” He also took it back to his Wings days with “Band On The Run.”
The recently released bonus performances saw Paul focusing on 1965 songs from The Beatles catalog. His backing band for SNL included Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson along with longtime members of his touring band Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson and Wix Wickens.
For the “Help!” play, host Will Ferrell nodded to his legendary role as Gene Frenkle adding the character’s signature cowbell to the title track from The Beatles early 1965 album. McCartney also delivered the opening track, “Drive My Car,” on The Beatles late-1965 album, Rubber Soul.
Watch Paul McCartney deliver bonus SNL performances of “Help!” and “Drive My Car” below:
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