Culture

Happiness is a Warm Doctorate: Paul McCartney gets Honorary Degree from Yale

by julianw | May 26, 2008 at 03:44 pm

352 views | 9 Recommendations | 3 comments

Paul McCartney, already "Sir," added the "Dr." prefix to his name today, as Yale University awarded him an honorary doctorate degree in music.

Underneath the pomp of the ceremony was an informal contest to see who could make the best allusion to a Beatle's song while presenting Mr. McCartney with his award. Yale University President Richard Levin set the bar by dropping a“Here, There, and Everywhere” into his speech.

But with the help of my colleagues, I’ve spent the last 30 minutes dreaming up two better, funnier references. Here they are:

1) Paul McCartney trips out on PhD.

2) Money can’t buy him love, but fame can buy him a great education.

Paul McCartney can now add one more honour to the numerous awards, accolades and the knighthood he has already received.

The ex-Beatle on Monday was awarded an honorary doctor of music degree from Yale University. In granting the honorary degree to McCartney - Sir Paul McCartney since he was knighted in 1996 - the university said no one compares with the legendary songwriter.

Yale said the 65-year-old McCartney awakened a generation, giving a fresh sound to rock 'n' roll, and rhythm and blues.

A band played "Hey Jude," a Beatles hit, as McCartney walked on stage to accept the honorary degree.

Yale University president Richard Levin evoked some of the songwriter's most memorable lines.

"Here, there and everywhere," Levin said, quoting a line from a Beatles song, "you have pushed the boundaries of the familiar to create new classics. We admire your musical genius and your generous support of worthy causes."