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Paul McCartney Talks Cannibalism, “Electric Arguments” With Stephen Colbert

1/29/09, 11:53 am EST

Paul McCartney made a rare talk show appearance yesterday, serving as the special guest on The Colbert Report for a segment titled “Better Know a Beatle.” In the intro to his interview with McCartney, host Stephen Colbert broke down the history of the Fab Four, discussing important biographical details like, “As a teenager, he joined the band the Quarrymen, which was composed of George Harrison, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Brian Wilson, David Bowie, Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Phil Spector, George Gershwin, Led Zeppelin and the Vienna Boys’ Choir.” Even better: “After the Beatles broke up, McCartney formed Wings, who were known for their smash hit ‘Stop Requesting “Strawberry Fields,” That Was John,’ ” Colbert jokes.

Things get even LOLier in the actual interview, with McCartney at first awkwardly blindsided by the whole Colbert character. Colbert’s questions range from “Who is your favorite Beatle?” to “Your new album is called Electric Arguments. I understand you did 13 songs in 13 days. Why so long? It only takes 40 minutes to listen to.” (Amusing, yes, but we’ve got McCartney talking about how the Fireman’s album was really recorded right here.) Other highlights: Macca quipping “In an emergency, maybe the Dalai Lama would eat me” and Colbert and Paul engaging in a touching duet of “Ebony & Ivory.” The pair riff off each other perfectly, but bonus points go to Paul, as the “Fightin’ Walrus” hasn’t made us laugh this much since we saw Help! back in junior high school. Check out “Better Know a Beatle” in the video above.

Related Stories:

Album Review: The Fireman’s Electric Arguments
Cover Story: Sir Paul Rides Again
Paul McCartney Photo Gallery


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Comments

Anonymous | 1/29/2009, 2:12 pm EST

I loved it!!!!!!!
Paul’s still got his charm

Eric Con Queso | 1/29/2009, 2:44 pm EST

Points go to Paul for initially looking confused as hell but then rolling with it.

jamie | 1/29/2009, 8:55 pm EST

Too funny….and such a sweet guy is our Paul……….!

TXJDR | 1/29/2009, 11:31 pm EST

Awesome clip, these guys had me rolling on the floor laughing. Good stuff. I’m just wondering what they plan to do with the absence of John and George? They can always invite the 5yh Beatle Sir George Martin onto the show.

Weegie | 1/30/2009, 1:41 am EST

Paul died an artistic death in about 1976…….

raissa robles | 1/30/2009, 2:17 am EST

There IS comedic life after George W. Bush.

Laughter is what we need to get through this crisis.

Paul McCartney hasn’t lost his touch despite the Sir.

Hats off to Sir Colbert for bringing out the young Paul,

Raissa
Manila

Biff | 1/30/2009, 10:59 am EST

How is it that George Bush always gets a mention no matter what the subject? STFU already!

Steve | 1/30/2009, 11:47 am EST

Paul died a creative death in 1976? Apparently you haven’t listened to anything he’s done since “At the Speed of Sound” was released huh? “Tug of War”, “Flowers in the Dirt”, and “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard” are among his finest nearly approach “Band on the Run” in quality of material. A hundred years from now Lennon and McCartney will be viewed as our generation’s Mozart and Beethoven.

Steve | 1/30/2009, 11:47 am EST

Paul died a creative death in 1976? Apparently you haven’t listened to anything he’s done since “At the Speed of Sound” was released huh? “Tug of War”, “Flowers in the Dirt”, and “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard” are among his finest nearly approach “Band on the Run” in quality of material. A hundred years from now Lennon and McCartney will be viewed as our generation’s Mozart and Beethoven.

Paul | 1/30/2009, 12:44 pm EST

Worst show ever. not funny. thanks.

eightball | 1/30/2009, 7:38 pm EST

Paul (the commentor, not Macca) is retarded. Colbert is the shit.

otak | 1/30/2009, 8:41 pm EST

Great show. McCartney and Colbert were very funny. McCartney’s comic timing flawless. I didn’t read all the posts here but from some of the replies, it seems some have criticized McCartney’s solo efforts. For the first half of the 70’s, he was strong. Then he was hit or miss for fifteen years with a few strong songs but a lot of silly love songs. BUT… since the 80’s? For those of you who tuned out, McCartney has been doing great work. Half the tunes on Flaming Pie compete with his songs on Revolver. Electric Arguments, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard — these are important pieces in the McCartney body of work. And that says a LOT.

Dave | 1/30/2009, 8:52 pm EST

All my life I have said it in just 2 words. They are “IT’S PAUL” That is all you need to say. If the ones you are with get it, thats great. If not, then they will never know.
I love him. He is the Greatest.
Once again – “IT’s PAUL”!!!
GOD BLESS HIM

Peter Davis | 2/3/2009, 9:32 am EST

paul is not retarted.. paul is a genius!

Peter Davis | 2/3/2009, 9:33 am EST

paul is not retarded.. paul is a genius!

shaun | 2/16/2009, 5:49 pm EST

ummm im pretty sure interviewing george martin would be impossible due to the fact that he died before the beatles had even broken up..
its a well known fact that martin was the only thing keeping the four together towards the end of their career amongst all the fighting and personality conflicts

get educated on your beatles people

hello there | 3/26/2009, 6:17 am EST

i think the previous poster meant brian epstein.

George martin is still around.

David | 5/6/2009, 7:24 pm EST

Great stuff – this kind of stuff from the Beatles was almost as popular as their music and Colbert is a very funny guy indeed

David | 5/6/2009, 7:24 pm EST

Great stuff – this kind of stuff from the Beatles was almost as popular as their music and Colbert is a very funny guy indeed

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