At 76, Paul McCartney is having a blast and still creating fresh and vital music that doesn't leave behind the history of the former Beatle. “Egypt Station” is the first new album in five years from Paul McCartney, so there's no better reason, for the musician or his fans, to be in a celebratory mood. The new album collection released overnight and Paul was feeling festive a few hours early, joining Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show” on September 6 for a load of fun and hijinks. A performance topped off the visit, and McCartney hasn’t lost his gift for infectious hooks, but in the meantime, the host of “The Tonight Show” and his knighted guest had lots of fun capturing the audience with their humor.

Move to the music

Before Paul McCartney ever took his seat, to chat with Jimmy Fallon, he happened to see Kendall Jenner dancing to his song “Fuh You,” soon to be joined by Jimmy himself. At first, Paul walked by the doorway but then came back, adding a flourish of hands in the air between the two. The song has been the subject of controversy, for some who may not be used to its sensual connotation coming from a senior. The true message of the song, produced by one OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, is to skip the superfluous small talk in a relationship, and get to true feelings, aiming to create a love that's “so proud and real.”

McCartney has always embraced the full scope of love, from the homespun to passionate erotica.

His 1972 hit by Wings, “Hi Hi Hi,” was banned by the BBC for its content, but certainly had nothing to do with drugs, as any fan heard in its declaration, “I want you to lie on the bed,” complete with the sound effects that followed. His classic ballad “My Love” encompassed the fullness of love, far beyond sex, expressing lifelong admiration and commitment in its repeated, “My love does it good.”

No ticket needed to ride

Several groups of unsuspecting NBC studio tourists were treated to jokes and stunts between Paul McCartney and Jimmy Fallon from their elevator rides.

Vignettes ranged from the host and musician as proper English gentlemen, complete with pipes, reading newspapers, to playing a ping-pong match, to an “unassuming” announcement of when “Egypt Station” comes out. One female guest just attempts to stroll out to greet Paul, stopped by the watchful attendant. Another gentleman keeps exclaiming, “No way!” with Paul McCartney responding, “Yeah, way!” Most are just thrilled with their few seconds of seeing a genuine music legend, and one elevator rider relates that this is as close as she will get to her dream of marrying Paul.

In a conversational segment, Jimmy Fallon remarks in amazement at how Paul McCartney manages to stay “cool,” even through periods of strife and loss, such as the controversy over John Lennon's misinterpreted “bigger than Jesus” comparison, in an attempt to explain their appeal to youth. Paul McCartney explained that music is therapy, even for the composer, when he is in a dark place, and a guitar becomes a very healing conduit. Fallon asks if McCartney is in a good mood, and he playfully mocks, “No!” with furrowed eyebrows. The composer breaks out into a song with the tagline, “I hate this little sucker,” and Fallon intercedes to stop the next expected rhyming line.

Beatle fans can also take consolation in the fact that today, the U.S.

Postal Service is releasing a commemorative stamp in honor of John Lennon. The times have indeed come full circle.

“Egypt Station” is a return to the concept album, McCartney explained, and much of the album was a collaboration with Foo Fighters producer Greg Kurstin, who felt great inspiration from the instruments used in past Beatles’ masterpieces. The dates, for his Freshen Up tour, start next week in Canada and eventually go to Japan, and even to Paul McCartney's hometown of Liverpool. The composer with the most mammoth catalog in music contends that he cannot do the “modern pop album” in the way that Beyoncé and Taylor Swift can, since “they've got better legs.” He hopes that the new album will be one that fans will want to listen to “the whole way through.”

Paul McCartney left a message at the phone number of Jimmy Fallon's childhood home, and left “The Tonight Show” audience with a performance of his guitar-driven greeting song, “Come On To Me.” There were also not-so-subtle hints of a show today in New York City. This artist has as much reason as ever to keep his cheeky sense of humor and boundless creativity.

EDITOR, PLEASE NOTE: The lyric line quoted for "My Love" is correct. Thank you.
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