Someone has been keeping score...
12 · 01 · 2026
Paul McCartney has long had a love for live performances. From The Beatles’ exhilarating days in Hamburg, where the band would play for eight to ten hours daily, to his current worldwide tours, the iconic songwriter has enjoyed connecting with his audiences. This passion distinguishes him from the other members of the Fab Four; while John Lennon and George Harrison were eager to leave touring behind, McCartney consistently felt a desire to take to the road.
The legendary artist's live shows are filled with hit after hit, and the figures at Setlist.com reflect this clearly.
Among the 40 most frequently performed songs during McCartney’s tours – with approximately 800 shows recorded on the site – most are from his days with The Beatles, highlighting the group's lasting appeal. The most featured post-Beatles work is Wings’ timeless classic ‘Band On The Run’, which includes live favorites like ‘Jet’.
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Examining the Top 10 reveals some of the most cherished highlights of a Paul McCartney concert – ‘Live And Let Die’ and ‘Band On The Run’ are the most frequently mentioned Wings songs, with the Top Three showcasing a stellar lineup of Beatles hits.
The singalong favorite ‘Hey Jude’ ranks third, while McCartney's heartfelt track ‘Let It Be’ secures the second spot.
Narrowly leading in first place is ‘Lady Madonna’, a piano-driven tune that has been performed live 800 times.
This underscores the strength of ‘Lady Madonna,’ as well as the competitive nature of a Paul McCartney setlist. A decade ago, a similar survey placed ‘Let It Be’ firmly in the lead – it’s uncertain what the next tour will bring…
Revisit ‘Lady Madonna’ below.
Related: Paul McCartney Interviewed
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Paul McCartney has consistently been enthusiastic about performing live. From the exhilarating times of The Beatles in Hamburg, when the band would entertain for eight to ten hours...