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Name: Allison
Show location: New York, New York
Tour date: June 13, 2007 ("Secret Show")
Story: After waiting for 14 hours overnight in line, I managed to score a free ticket to this show to promote Paul's new album, Memory Almost Full. I was so happy that I started crying in front of his press agent, haha. Oh well. Anyway, the show was AMAZING and we got free souvenir t-shirts, so that was awesome, too. Paul did a bunch of new songs from his album, and some from over the years, too. I was about 15 feet away from him, so it was pretty priceless to be at the show. During "Nod Your Head" I was the only one that was truly rocking out, which I think amused Paul, since I got a few smiles from him. (Looove.) It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so I'm extremely thankful that I was able to get in!
My review of the show:
"Drive My Car" - FANTASTIC! At this point, I was in awe because I couldn't believe Paul was 15 feet in front of my face. After this, we all sang "Happy Birthday" to him and he was pretty touched, haha.
"Only Mama Knows" - I was praying he played this song because it's my favorite on the new album and when I heard the opening violin parts, I flipped out. It was so amazing.. he really rocked out!
"Dance Tonight" - I saw pics online of him rocking out to this song, and I didn't think it was possible to rock out to a song played primarily on a mandolin, but he totally did.
"C Moon" - Another classic.
"The Long And Winding Road" - Good, but my view of Paul at the piano was pretty obstructed, so I was glad most of his songs were played with him on guitar.
"I'll Follow The Sun" - Before this, he told a little story about when he wrote it in Liverpool, standing at the window in his living room and looking outside thinking "someday, I'll be a star.. but it never happened." HAHA WHATEV.
"Calico Skies" - FLAMING PIE LOVE! I left this on Beth's answering machine, so I hope she got it.
"That Was Me" - I love this song so much more after hearing it live. Amazing.
"Blackbird" - The crowd was silent during this song and "Here Today." I know I was standing there in awe of him, just feeling so small and staring at him in the spotlight. It was surreal.
"Here Today" - When he introduced this, he said it was "for our fallen heroes, John, George and Linda." And he started tearing up! Of course, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
"Back in the USSR" - Awesome fucking song. He ripped it up.
"Nod Your Head" - This will forever be known as Paul and my "song." We made eye contact several times during it because I was totally getting into it and had my arm in the air the whole time, haha. I think he was amused.
"House Of Wax" - Beautiful and haunting.
"I've Got A Feeling" - I heard this one on the last tour, but it was cool. He and Rusty did a duet like '05.
"Matchbox" - Tied with "Only Mama Knows" for my favorite song of the night. Oh my God. I love this song and I was PRAYING he would play it. He was seriously rocking out so hard and I screamed through the whole thing. This might actually beat out "Only Mama Knows," only because Paul's vocals were SO raw and it was SO amazing. I can't find the words to describe it.
"Get Back" - LOVE this song. It was great.
"Baby Face" - Before he played this old standard, he's like "oh now it's a party, everyone's getting a little silly," and did some weird shit with his hands. HAHA. He's insane, but I love him.
"Hey Jude" - He made the ladies do the chorus twice because he "liked the way it sounded," haha. Always good!
Encores:
"Let It Be" - Is this song ever anything less than gorgeous?
"Lady Madonna" - I think he screwed up a little on this and played through the opening piano riff twice before starting, instead of once like on the record. We all started singing at the proper part; he didn't. I thought his mic cut out, but it didn't. Haha oh well. He's Paul-fucking-McCartney, he can do what he wants.
"I Saw Her Standing There" - SO GOOD. The best way to end the night!
Name: Kisha
Show location: Atlanta, Georgia
Tour date: 2002
Story: We didn't have the best tickets, they were up to the side, but I didn't really care, I was seeing Paul. I'm always curious about things, and I wanted to know when Paul came in for soundcheck, so this security guard told me and my friend where to go to see him come in and get pictures and hopefully an autograph! We went below the arena and waited for what seemed ages, the camera crews were out, security was out, and then suddenly, Paul. He comes out, poses for a few pictures, waves then goes back in. I seriously almost hyperventilated. We got some pictures, went back to the arena and enjoyed the awesome show!
Name: Kisha
Show location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Tour date: 2003 (October)
Story: This time, we got 3rd row seats! I don't think I've ever freaked out as much as I had before knowing I would be that close. The only bad thing is that the seats were off to the side and not the center. The good thing is, Paul would go to different sides of the stage and it was just amazing. When he brought the flag over to wave around I waved at him like a crazy rabid fan and he smiled at me! I think I died right there, because I don't remember the rest.
Name: Kisha
Show location: Atlanta, Georgia
Tour date: 2005
Story: Well, we went down below the arena again, but Paul didn't come out, he just stuck his head out a door and waved. I was a little disappointed but I did wave my "You rock my socks!" poster around. I went to the concert myself this time, I had a floor seat about 12 rows back, so I was just sitting there, minding my business when this guy from the crew came up and asked if I was with anyone. Luckily, I wasn't, and he gave me a new ticket that was 3rd row center! Said I looked like a nice girl or something, but I think it was because Paul didn't want to stare at old ladies, haha. So here I am, right infront of Paul's mic, and I'm seriously having a heart attack. Everyone around me was dressed up real nice and over 40, I swear. They kept asking me how I got up there, which I thought was rude. Anyway, the show started, and everything was in slow motion. I remember seeing Paul sweat, and showing him my sign and getting a wink and hand gestures..I was in heaven. And I don't remember much after that either!
Name: Ash
Show location: Cleveland, Ohio
Tour date: 2002 (October 4th)
Story: I'm pretty sure I begged and pleaded with my dad to get tickets in Philadelphia, which is closer to where we live, but he was too late. So he got tickets in Cleveland since the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is there so we could "kill two birds with one stone." The concert was amazing, the best I've ever been to. Paul was dead on, and adorable. It was so fantastic. I'd see him again in a heartbeat.
Name: Allison
Show location: Cleveland, Ohio
Tour date: 2002 (April 29th)
Story: I foolishly blew $500 on shitty seats. But uh, that's not the story. One story is that my best friend and I had made our own shirts that read something like "tickets: $250, parking: $10, souvenirs: $50, seeing Paul McCartney live: priceless" and everyone was coming up to us and saying how much they loved them. My friend had "Paul is my mac daddy" written on the back and all during the show, we were sitting with a bunch of drunk corporates and they kept yelling "who's your daddy?" at her, which was ANNOYING, but kinda funny when I look back on it. That was a great show. Oh, and the girl in front of us looked exactly like Heather Mills from behind, which was scary.
Name: Allison
Show location: Detroit, Michigan
Tour date: 2005
Story: I was at the show where the couple got engaged, so that was adorable and awesome, but I would say the funniest thing about this show was my, literally, thirty second restroom trip RIGHT before Paul came on. Yeah, I booked it. I never knew I could go to the bathroom and/or run up stairs that fast. Go me. I also made another custom shirt for this show that said "Paul is my homeboy." I love that shirt.