McCartney to Do Super Bowl

Paul McCartney is the newest name on the list of stars that will perform live at Super Bowl XXXVI.

McCartney will enlist the help of 500 young people -- from all of the 180 countries that broadcast the game -- to perform "Freedom," a song he wrote to raise money for victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. McCartney and an all-star cast of pop stars performed the song in October at "The Concert for New York" show.

"I was sitting on a plane at New York airport and watched it unfold through the windows," McCartney said of the terrorist attacks. "I am honored to add my voice to the message of tribute that this year's Super Bowl will carry."

Already confirmed for the event are Mary J. Blige and Marc Anthony, who will perform "America the Beautiful" together before the game, and Mariah Carey, who will follow with the national anthem. U2 will perform at halftime.

Super Bowl XXXVI will be held February 3rd in New Orleans, and televised on Fox.

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Song Stories

“Let My Love Open the Door”

Pete Townshend | 1980

A peppy, hopeful love song, "Let My Love Open the Door" became a U. S. Top Ten hit for Pete Townshend in 1980, anchored by the kind of repeating synthesizer figures that he'd used in some of the Who's recordings in the previous decade. Although Townshend brushed the song off as "just a ditty" in Rolling Stone shortly after its release, in 1996 he revealed it was about love of the holiest sort. "It's supposed to be about the power of God's love," he remarked. "That when you're in difficulty, whether it's major or minor, God's love is always there for you."

More Song Stories entries »

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