'SNL50's Cold Open Launches Epic Night With Unexpected Musical Duet

The highly anticipated 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live has had people talking all season long, with many wondering what surprises would be in store for the milestone episode. While the special may have forgone the traditional cold open that the iconic sketch show is known for, we still got quite the surprise when lights came up on two musical icons — Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon. Standing side by side on the Studio 8H Stage, Carpenter and Simon shared a bit of banter before signing a heartfelt rendition of “Homeward Bound”, with Paul revealing that the last time he performed the song on the show was with George Harrison in 1976. “I was not born then,” Sabrina quipped, “And neither were my parents.”

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 

You might not immediately pair these two music superstars, but once you hear their voices effortlessly meld together, it’s easy to see why the show asked them to collab. Their harmonies were the perfect representation of the musical guests, both past and present, who have graced the SNL stage with their talents throughout the years. The duo set the tone for a night that is sure to be as funny as it is sentimental.

You can watch a clip of the full performance here:

Related: Meet Wally Feresten, the Man Who's Been Writing 'SNL's Cue Cards for 35 Years (Exclusive)