Beatles icon Sir Paul McCartney recently treated passengers riding in a New Orleans street car to a medley of his most well-loved songs, but was surprisingly mistaken for a busker.

The superstar was travelling with his wife Nancy Shevell when, according to onlookers, he "burst into a medley of some of The Beatles biggest hits", but his performance was ignored by many after they thought he was just a street artist.

Tram passenger Robert Senft recalled the exciting and rather amusing event to Britain's The Mirror newspaper: "This guy got on the street car and started singing Beatles songs."

"Everyone was just ignoring him really because there are a lot of buskers in this town. Then we realised it was Sir Paul McCartney and we were just in shock. He started singing along with the whole carriage and taking pictures. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One of the best days of my life."

Senft added that he played 'A Hard Day's Night' along with other Beatles' classics.

Watch the 2012 recording of McCartney's 'Heart Of The Country' remake below: