If you get Paul McCartney singing along and smiling ear-to-ear like this while you sing the Beatles, you know you’re doing something right, and Steven Tyler’s Fab Four tribute is nothing short of iconic!

Steven Tyler presented a four-song Beatles set during Paul McCartney’s Kennedy Center Honors celebration. The Aerosmith singer performed with his band and a soulful choir, and McCartney soon began singing along. The selections named in the tribute included “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight,” and “The End.” McCartney looked proud throughout the performance and broke into a joyful, boyish smile when Tyler acknowledged him at the finish.

Tyler did not treat the Beatles material as something to reproduce exactly. He gave the 1960s songs a gritty, soulful interpretation, while the force of his band’s playing sometimes pushed the arrangements toward hard rock. The performance also made Tyler’s enthusiasm for the Beatles and McCartney’s music clear, showing how grateful the devoted fan was for the opportunity to honor the group.

The Kennedy Center Honors later uploaded Tyler’s tribute to McCartney on YouTube, where the video reached 5.8 million views. Viewers responded positively in the comments. One described the set as a tribute from one living legend to another, while another cited McCartney’s delighted expression and apparent attempt to hold back tears as proof of how well Tyler had performed.

McCartney has participated in major tributes as both the person being honored and one of the musicians paying homage. At the Concert for George, he appeared on several songs celebrating his friend and Beatles bandmate George Harrison, along with Harrison’s life and musical work.

Watch the full performance on page two