James Corden calls it “possibly the greatest #CarpoolKaraoke we’ve ever done,” and honestly, it’s hard to disagree.
In an unforgettable 23-minute episode, Corden takes a ride through Liverpool with none other than the city’s most legendary living icon—Paul McCartney.
The segment kicks off with Corden making a call, casually saying, “Hey mate, I’m in Liverpool and could use some help.” Moments later, McCartney joins him, and what follows is one of the most heartfelt and memorable interviews of the rock legend’s career.
As they drive through the streets of Liverpool, McCartney shares stories from his youth while he and Corden sing along to timeless classics like “Baby You Can Drive My Car,” “Let It Be,” and “Penny Lane.”
McCartney reflects on the origins of “Let It Be,” explaining that the lyrics came from a dream in which his mother reassured him that everything would be okay. “Just let it be,” she told him. As they sing together, the emotional weight of the moment brings Corden to tears. “That’s the power of music,” McCartney remarks. “It’s amazing how it can touch people like that.”
Their journey continues down the real Penny Lane, where McCartney signs a street sign and pops into the barber shop immortalized in the song’s lyrics.
One of the most surreal moments unfolds when they visit McCartney’s childhood home, which remains virtually unchanged. He reminisces about playing “She Loves You” for his father in the very kitchen where it was written. His dad, while loving the song, had one small critique—suggesting they sing “She loves you, yes, yes, yes” instead to avoid too many “Americanisms.”
For the grand finale, Corden steps behind the bar at the Philharmonic pub, a place where the Beatles once performed. As an unsuspecting patron selects a song on the jukebox, the curtain rises, revealing McCartney himself on stage. The crowd erupts in shock and delight as he launches into live renditions of “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” “Back in the USSR,” and “Hey Jude.”
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment—one that perfectly captures the magic of music, nostalgia, and the enduring legacy of Paul McCartney.