On October 23, 1984, television history was made when Paul McCartney appeared as a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. At the time, McCartney was promoting his film Give My Regards to Broad Street and its soundtrack album, which had just been released. But what made the appearance so special wasn’t just the promotion—it was the rare combination of two icons of entertainment sharing the same stage.
The interview was a mix of humor, storytelling, and genuine warmth. Carson, never one to fawn over guests, treated McCartney with the same quick, teasing humor he gave everyone else—something Paul clearly appreciated. McCartney spoke about the challenges of making Broad Street, his love of songwriting, and shared a few anecdotes from his days with The Beatles. Fans watching at home were treated to rare glimpses of McCartney’s down-to-earth personality, far removed from the grandeur of stadium tours.
One particularly memorable moment was when Carson asked Paul about songwriting with John Lennon. McCartney described their partnership as “a conversation in music,” a line that has since been quoted by countless fans and writers.