The set list: Paul McCartney

There are two types of people in the world who don't love Paul McCartney - communists and John Lennon. Actually, I don't know what I'm talking about because communists love Macca because he always sings "Back in the U.S.S.R." (OK, maybe the Chinese communists don't like him because he boycotted their country, but that was because of the dog fur and stuff.)

Anyway, since everybody loves Sir Paul and he's going to be play at AT&T; Park on Saturday, we closely followed his "Up and Coming" tour around the world, checking the nightly set lists to figure out what we should expect when he arrives here.

It's kind of a big deal. The concert will mark the first time he has played in San Francisco since Aug. 29, 1966, when the Beatles performed their final public concert at Candlestick Park.

After weeks of diligent research, we think we have a pretty good idea, and it's going to be amazing - covering songs by the Beatles, Wings, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, his techno alter ego the Fireman and the Beatles. But no "Say Say Say." What gives, Paul?

Here's a sneak peek.

"Venus and Mars/Rock Show"

McCartney is opening the concert with this Wings oddity, possibly because its lyrics are actually about opening a concert: "Sitting in the stand of the sports arena/ Waiting for the show to begin."

"Jet"

This song comes next because, well, that's how it is on the album. Also, because this is one of my favorite Wings songs ever and he probably knows I would tear my seat out of the bleachers and start a riot at this point if he didn't play it.

"All My Loving"

The first Beatles song he plays isn't a very good one, but it's really old, so it's probably just there to remind people that he's been doing this since the time pterodactyls ruled the skies.

"Letting Go"

That's right, another song from "Venus and Mars." If you don't already own the album, at this point you'll want to run to the nearest Salvation Army store's record bin and buy it for a dollar.

"Got to Get You Into My Life" or "Drive My Car"

He's been switching up these bouncy Beatles classics on the tour. We're pulling for "Got To Get You," mostly because it has real horns and not just a guy going, "Beep-beep-beep."

"Highway"

Even though this sounds as if it could have come off any of the solo albums he released in the '80s, it's actually a song McCartney did with his secret group, the Fireman. Even if you don't know the tune, the polite thing to do is nod along and wait for the next song.

"Let Me Roll It"/"Foxy Lady"

This Wings tune has the distinction of being from the 1973 "Band on the Run" LP without actually being "Band on the Run." Paul likes to throw in a little surprise Jimi Hendrix at the end.

"The Long and Winding Road"

You can grab a drink while they haul the piano out for this one, a nostalgic epic from the tail end of the Beatles era.

"Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five"

Wow, Wings has a lot of songs. Even though the lyrics are a little lazy ("Oh I/ Oh I/ Well, I just can't get enough of that sweet stuff"), this is the second best song on the "Band on the Run" LP, originally released as a b-side to the title track.

"Let 'Em In"

The most awesome Wings song ever on the subject of opening a door for your relatives and friends. Also, it has a whistle solo.

"My Love"

From Wings' other 1973 album, "Red Rose Speedway." A straight-up love song for his wife, Linda, which is probably going to make me cry when he sings, "Don't ever ask me why/I never say goodbye to my love."

"I'm Looking Through You" or "I've Just Seen a Face"

Another toss-up from the black and white period Beatles, both from the "Rubber Soul" album. It's really a can't lose situation.

"Two Of Us" or "And I Love Her"

It's either going to be a foot stomper from the "Let It Be" album or a gorgeous ballad from "A Hard Day's Night." Why can't he play both, damn it?

"Blackbird"

This opens the acoustic portion of the evening, with Paul standing alone with his guitar center stage - until some 50,000 people decide to join in.

"Here Today"

His solo tribute to Lennon, written shortly after his former bandmate's death: "I'm holding back the tears no more."

"Dance Tonight"

A relatively new song from McCartney's 2007 album, "Memory Almost Full." It features a mandolin and another whistle solo.

"Mrs. Vandebilt"

More Wings! Another cut from the "Band on the Run" album - but it's still not "Band on the Run." He started playing it live only two years ago.

"Eleanor Rigby"

You might have heard this maybe once or twice before.

"Something"

McCartney has been playing this as a tribute to George Harrison - on the ukulele. Somehow it's not quite the same.

"Sing the Changes"

Another track from the Fireman. We're not saying this song sucks or anything, but this would probably be the ideal time for the last bathroom break of the evening.

"Band on the Run"

The song "Band on the Run" from the album "Band on the Run."

"Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

Brilliant carnival music from the Beatles. This would sound so much better if they could find a way to convert the entire stadium green into a giant trampoline.

"Back in the U.S.S.R."

Only McCartney can make vomiting on a plane sound like a total party. This is the song that keeps him in with the commies.

"I've Got a Feeling"

One of the slow-rolling blues-rock songs from the "Let It Be" sessions that made it a four-star album and not five.

"Paperback Writer"

The song that every Oasis song has been based on. McCartney brought down the house when he performed it at Coachella last year, possibly because the kids thought he was doing a cover of "Wonderwall."

"A Day in the Life"/ "Give Peace a Chance"

There's no way around it - this is going to be an absolute showstopper. But the decision to switch out the last bit of one of the greatest Beatles' tracks with Lennon's chant-along bedroom anthem? We'll have to see it how it plays out in the stands.

"Let It Be"

Macca has probably played this song so many times he can just start thinking about what his dog is doing back home while he sings it now and everyone will still whip out their lighters, hold hands and weep openly.

"Live and Let Die"

One more dip into the Wings' back catalog. This is definitely one of the top-five James Bond theme tunes of all time, ranking somewhere between Shirley Bassey and Duran Duran.

"Hey Jude"

Please see the notes on "Let It Be."

ENCORE

"Day Tripper"

"Lady Madonna"

"Get Back"

Look at that. Is that going to be the best encore in the entire history of rock 'n' roll or what? Three Beatles classics played back-to-back by the man who wrote them. What could possibly be better?

ENCORE 2

"Yesterday"

"Helter Skelter"

"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)"

"The End"

Oh, wait. I take back what I said about the last encore. This one is even better, primarily because it contains "Helter Skelter" and, at 67, McCartney still manages to howl his way through it like an absolute madman. Also, no more Wings songs. Thumbs up! Peace and love! {sbox}

Paul McCartney: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $49.50-$250. AT&T; Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco. (800) 745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com

Follow Aidin Vaziri at twitter.com/MusicSF. E-mail him at avaziri@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page Q - 32 of the San Francisco Chronicle