Macca at the White House

Paul McCartney was in the East Room at the White House last night to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. President Obama and the first lady hosted the event, which also featured other artists participating in a concert. Jerry Seinfeld did a stand up comedy routine. He had lots of compliments for McCartney and one complaint — he couldn’t quite figure some of McCartney’s lyrics.

Such as: “She was just 17. You know what I mean.” Seinfeld: “I’m not sure I do know what you mean, Sir Paul. I think I know what you mean. And I think there’s a law enforcement agency in a couple of states that might want to ask you a few questions.”

Of course, the “you know what I mean” lyric was contributed by John Lennon. McCartney’s original lyric read “never been a beauty queen”.

Set list:

Paul McCartney – Got To Get You Into My Life

Elvis Costello – Penny Lane

Dave Grohl – Band On The Run

Corinne Bailey Rae and Herbie Hancock – Blackbird

Emmylou Harris – For No One

Faith Hill – The Long and Winding Road

Jonas Brothers – Drive My Car

Lang Lang – Celebration on the piano

Jack White – Mother Nature’s Son

Stevie Wonder – We Can Work It Out (twice)

Paul McCartney – Ebony And Ivory (duet with Stevie Wonder)

Paul McCartney – Eleanor Rigby

Paul McCartney – Michelle

Paul McCartney – Let It Be

Paul McCartney – Hey Jude

The concert and award speeches were taped by PBS and will be televised as a 90 minute TV special on July 28th.