What better way to end a great night than a sing-along? Sir Paul McCartney leads the crowd in singing The Beatles' Hey Jude

By JILL REILLY, DAVID WILLIAMS and LOUISE ECCLES

Crowd pleaser: The crowd inside the Olympic stadium were swaying and singing tonight as Sir Paul McCartney closed the Opening Ceremony

The musical climax of the evening was provided by Sir Paul McCartney, the most successful songwriter in British history, who had the crowd singing and swaying.
Smiling widely as he sat playing the piano, the British singer performed two songs: The End and Hey Jude.
Towards the end of the performance he stood up and clapped his hands in the air, encouraging the audience to sing-along.
He asked the men to join in - and then asked the women to get involved, before the whole stadium sang together.

Atmosphere: The British singer asked the men to join in - and then asked the women to get involved, before the whole stadium sang together

He was watched by his daughter Stella McCartney who has played a key part in designing Team GB's costumes.
Broadcast to a television audience estimated at one billion, Universal Music said an album of the ceremony soundtrack would be on sale 'within moments' of the ceremony ending.

Dancing shoes: The Arctic Monkeys played one of their early hits I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor

Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg tweeted: 'Impressive though (the opening ceremony) in Beijing was, they didn’t have any great pop music to play, did they?”
The ceremony began gently, with Edward Elgar, the hymn Jerusalem and Danny Boy - but soon started to rock.
Olympic ceremonies often play it safe. But Boyle, who brought in the electronic duo Underworld as musical directors, gave his show a cheeky edge.
The Sex Pistols, once the outrageous face of punk, were included with their song Pretty Vacant.


The group performed The Beatles song Come Together as bikers with wings cycled around the stadium

Spectacular: The English indie rock band who became a group in 2002 performed towards the end of the evening

Boyle even slipped in a few bars of the Pistols’ snarling God Save the Queen (“the fascist regime”) early on - although he respectfully did it before Queen Elizabeth II had entered the stadium.
In parts, it was like a Union Jack jukebox - a medley of tracks from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Queen, the Specials and the Jam, the Stone Roses and Eurythmics, and what seemed like dozens more.
The list spanned generations, from The Who’s My Generation right up to live performances from two of the hottest homegrown acts of the moment.
A dramatic section featuring 75 bikes representing the traditional doves which were released at Games from ancient times to signal peace, was accompanied by the music of the Arctic Monkeys, including their No. 1 hit I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

Singing to millions: Emeli Sande sang the hymn Abide With Me - it was written by Henry Fancis Lyte in 1847

As they played to thousands of people in the stadium and millions around the world, fireworks surrounding the East London arena lit up the sky.
In a reflection of British humour and the East End there was a version of I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles.
UK Grime MC Dizzee Rascal took to the stage singing his hit song Bonkers - he is a local boy brought up in the East End.
He said: 'It is exciting to be part of the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. It is a good time for the UK and I am glad they asked me to perform one of my greatest tracks to represent the country.
'Huge respect to all the athletes who are taking part and let's get the party started.'
Emeli Sande who sang the hymn Abide With Me said: 'I am extremely proud and humbled to be part of the amazing ceremony which will allow the world to see some of the best up-and-coming and established talent the UK has produced.'
It was written by Henry Fancis Lyte in 1847 and he died three weeks after completing it.
The hymn has been sung at every FA Cup final since 1927.
It is also a regular tune heard at Rugby League internationals.

National treasure: UK Grime MC Dizzee Rascal took to the stage singing 'Bonkers'

The musical melange continued during the athletes parade, with members of the 204 national teams circling the track to everything from West End Girls by the Pet Shop Boys and Rolling in the Deep by Adele.
The British squad entered to a roar of applause - and Bowie’s anthem-like Heroes, while Pink Floyd played during the fireworks display.
A thousand drummers beat out their rhythm across the stadium and 80 musicians, aged from seven to 17, captivated the crowd as they joined the London Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Nimrod by Edward Elgar.
A young male chorister moved the audience to tears last night with a stunning solo during his choir’s rendition of Jerusalem.
Despite a global audience of four billion, he kept his composure as he led the Dockhead Choir, from Southwark, South East London.
Dressed in yellow striped tops, the choir sang a note-perfect version of the song, often associated with patriotism and based on the short poem by William Blake.

The Bean way: Half-way through the performance Mr Bean took out his phone and then proceeded to sneeze, while playing one key repetitively

Musician Frank Turner took to the stage with a band before the opening ceremony.
The English singer folk singer played 'I Still Believe' as actors dressed in period clothing walked out on to the green scene.
He had previously practiced twice at the venue this week before he made his Olympic debut to the crowd.
Another act during the night was funnyman Mr Bean.
The London Symphony Orchestra took centre stage playing Chariots of Fire as Mr Bean - British actor Rowan Atkinson - took to a keyboard.
The performance cut to a video of Mr Bean running down the beach made famous in the opening scene of the 1981 film.


British ceremony: God Saave The Queen was sang by the Kaos Signing Choir for Deaf and Hearing Children



source: dailymail