History Music / RAM

'''''RAM''''' is the second studio album by Music/PaulMcCartney and debut studio album by Linda [=McCartney=], released in 1971. ''RAM'' was styled as an attempt to respond to criticisms of 1970's ''Music/McCartney'' with a more fleshed-out production. Gone were the one-man band approach and [[EverythingIsAnInstrument shot glass and bow-and-arrow soloing]], replaced with a more typical series of pop songs. Critics did not respond as [=McCartney=] had hoped in the slightest, with Rolling Stone's Jon Landau famously calling it "the nadir in the decomposition of sixties rock" and holding a mock funeral for Paul as a spokesman for the counter-culture. Even [[Music/RingoStarr Ringo]] publicly trashed the album, wondering if his former band-mate had "gone strange" as "there wasn't a good tune on the record." Music/JohnLennon had the strongest response as, [[ItsAllAboutMe convinced the album was a long attack on himself]], he convened [[Music/GeorgeHarrison George]] and Ringo for an AnswerSong, "How Do You Sleep?", later to appear on ''Music/{{Imagine}}''. ([=McCartney=] later admitted that the song "Too Many People" was a dig at Lennon; they buried the hatchet a few years later).

[[CriticalDissonance The critical slings and arrows stopped nobody from buying the record]], which spawned the hit singles "[[SongStyleShift Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]]", "[[IntercourseWithYou Eat At Home]]", and "[[PowerBallad The Back Seat Of My Car]]" on its way to the top of the charts worldwide. Taken aback by the cold reception, [=McCartney=] became convinced he needed to form a real band to feel like a real musician again, birthing the first line=up of Music/{{Wings}} with Linda, ex-Music/TheMoodyBlues member Denny Laine and ''RAM'' drummer Danny Seiwell. Over time, the ''RAM'' album has gained in reputation, and while not quite receiving the praise of its most [[Music/AllThingsMustPass direct]] [[Music/JohnLennonPlasticOnoBand comptetition]], is now considered a key forerunner of JanglePop. (Its reputation has recovered enough that popular music review site Allmusic has given it the maximum rating of five stars, so it could be considered to have been somewhat VindicatedByHistory).

[[caption-width-right:301:''RAM''.]]

'''''RAM''''' is the second studio album by Music/PaulMcCartney and debut studio album by Linda [=McCartney=], released in 1971. ''RAM'' was styled as an attempt to respond to criticisms of 1970's ''Music/McCartney'' with a more fleshed-out production. Gone were the one-man band approach and [[EverythingIsAnInstrument shot glass and bow-and-arrow soloing]], replaced with a more typical series of pop songs. Critics did not respond as [=McCartney=] had hoped in the slightest, with Rolling Stone's Jon Landau famously calling it "the nadir in the decomposition of sixties rock" and holding a mock funeral for Paul as a spokesman for the counterculture. Even [[Music/RingoStarr Ringo]] publicly trashed the album, wondering if his former band-mate had "gone strange" as "there wasn't a good tune on the record." Music/JohnLennon had the strongest response as, [[ItsAllAboutMe convinced the album was a long attack on himself]], he convened [[Music/GeorgeHarrison George]] and Ringo for an AnswerSong, "How Do You Sleep?", later to appear on ''Music/{{Imagine}}''. ([=McCartney=] later admitted that the song "Too Many People" was a dig at Lennon; they buried the hatchet a few years later).

[[CriticalDissonance The critical slings and arrows stopped nobody from buying the record]], which spawned the hit singles "[[SongStyleShift Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]]", "[[IntercourseWithYou Eat At Home]]", and "[[PowerBallad The Back Seat Of My Car]]" on its way to the top of the charts worldwide. Taken aback by the cold reception, [=McCartney=] became convinced he needed to form a real band to feel like a real musician again, birthing the first lineup of Music/{{Wings}} with Linda, ex-Music/TheMoodyBlues member Denny Laine and ''RAM'' drummer Danny Seiwell. Over time, the ''RAM'' album has gained in reputation, and while not quite receiving the praise of its most [[Music/AllThingsMustPass direct]] [[Music/JohnLennonPlasticOnoBand comptetition]], is now considered a key forerunner of JanglePop. (Its reputation has recovered enough that popular music review site Allmusic has given it the maximum rating of five stars, so it could be considered to have been somewhat VindicatedByHistory).

[[AC:Side One]]

[[AC:Side Two]]

* TakeThat: Despite an abundance of WordSaladLyrics, Paul found space for a couple potshots.

# "Too Many People"
# "3 Legs"
# "Ram On"
# "Dear Boy"
# "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey"
# "Smile Away"
# "Heart Of The Country"
# "Monkberry Moon Delight"
# "Eat At Home"
# "Long Haired Lady"
# "Ram On"
# "The Back Seat Of My Car"

'''''RAM''''' is the second studio album by Music/PaulMcCartney and debut studio album by Linda [=McCartney=], released in 1971. ''RAM'' was styled as an attempt to respond to criticisms of 1970's ''Music/McCartney'' with a more fleshed-out production. Gone were the one-man band approach and [[EverythingIsAnInstrument shot glass and bow-and-arrow soloing]], replaced with a more typical series of pop songs. Critics did not respond as [=McCartney=] had hoped in the slightest, with Rolling Stone's Jon Landau famously calling it "the nadir in the decomposition of sixties rock" and holding a mock funeral for Paul as a spokesman for the counterculture. Even [[Music/RingoStarr Ringo]] publicly trashed the album, wondering if his former band-mate had "gone strange" as "there wasn't a good tune on the record." Music/JohnLennon had the strongest response as, [[ItsAllAboutMe convinced the album was a long attack on himself]], he convened [[Music/GeorgeHarrison George]] and Ringo for an AnswerSong, "How Do You Sleep?", later to appear on ''Music/{{Imagine}}''.

[[CriticalDissonance The critical slings and arrows stopped nobody from buying the record]], which spawned the hit singles "[[SongStyleShift Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]]", "[[IntercourseWithYou Eat At Home]]", and "[[PowerBallad The Back Seat Of My Car]]" on its way to the top of the charts worldwide. Taken aback by the cold reception, [=McCartney=] became convinced he needed to form a real band to feel like a real musician again, birthing the first lineup of Music/{{Wings}} with Linda, ex-Music/TheMoodyBlues member Denny Laine and ''RAM'' drummer Danny Seiwell. Over time, the ''RAM'' album has gained in reputation, and while not quite receiving the praise of its most [[Music/AllThingsMustPass direct]] [[Music/JohnLennonPlasticOnoBand comptetition]], is now considered a key forerunner of JanglePop.

'''''RAM''''' is the second studio album by Music/PaulMcCartney, released in 1971. Credited to "Paul & Linda [=McCartney=]" to keep album sales out of reach of Music/TheBeatles lawsuits, ''RAM'' was styled as an attempt to respond to criticisms of 1970's ''Music/McCartney'' with a more fleshed-out production. Gone were the one-man band approach and [[EverythingIsAnInstrument shot glass and bow-and-arrow soloing]], replaced with a more typical series of pop songs. Critics did not respond as [=McCartney=] had hoped in the slightest, with Rolling Stone's Jon Landau famously calling it "the nadir in the decomposition of sixties rock" and holding a mock funeral for Paul as a spokesman for the counterculture. Even [[Music/RingoStarr Ringo]] publicly trashed the album, wondering if his former band-mate had "gone strange" as "there wasn't a good tune on the record." Music/JohnLennon had the strongest response as, [[ItsAllAboutMe convinced the album was a long attack on himself]], he convened [[Music/GeorgeHarrison George]] and Ringo for an AnswerSong, "How Do You Sleep?", later to appear on ''Music/{{Imagine}}''.

* IntercourseWithYou: "Eat At Home" is about oral sex with one's wife. "The Back Of My Car" is similarly about making love [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin in the back seat]] [[AutoErotica of a car.]]

->''"The songs don't feel collaborative so much as cooperative: little schoolhouse plays that required every hand on deck to get off the ground. Paul had the most talent, so naturally he was up front, but he wanted everyone behind him, banging pots, hollering, whistling-- whatever it is you did, make sure you're back there doing it with gusto. It is exactly this homemade charm that has caught on with generations of listeners as the initial furor around the album subsided. What 2012's ears can find on Ram is a rock icon inventing an approach to pop music that would eventually become someone else's indie pop. It had no trendy name here; it was just a disappointing Beatles solo album."''

* MusicIsPolitics: Music/RingoStarr attempted to delay the release of ''RAM'', as it coincided with the planned release of ''Let It Be''. Paul was not amused.

[[CriticalDissonance The critical slings and arrows stopped nobody from buying the record]], which spawned the hit singles "[[SongStyleShift Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]]", "[[IntercourseWithYou Eat At Home]]", and "[[PowerBallad The Back Seat Of My Car]]" on its way to the top of the charts worldwide. Taken aback by the cold reception, [=McCartney=] became convinced he needed to form a real band to feel like a real musician again, birthing the first lineup of Music/{{Wings}} with Linda and ''RAM'' drummer Danny Seiwell. Over time, the ''RAM'' album has gained in reputation, and while not quite receiving the praise of its most [[Music/AllThingsMustPass direct]] [[Music/JohnLennonPlasticOnoBand comptetition]], is now considered a key forerunner of JanglePop.

'''''RAM''''' is the second studio album by Music/PaulMcCartney, released in 1971. Credited to "Paul & Linda [=McCartney=]" to keep album sales out of reach of Music/TheBeatles lawsuits, ''RAM'' was styled as an attempt to respond to critisms of 1970's ''Music/McCartney'' with a more fleshed-out production. Gone were the one-man band approach and [[EverythingIsAnInstrument shot glass and bow-and-arrow soloing]], replaced with a more typical series of pop songs. Critics did not respond as [=McCartney=] had hoped in the slightest, with Rolling Stone's Jon Landau famously calling it "the nadir in the decomposition of sixties rock" and holding a mock funeral for Paul as a spokesman for the counterculture. Even [[Music/RingoStarr Ringo]] publicly trashed the album, wondering if his former band-mate had "gone strange" as "there wasn't a good tune on the record." Music/JohnLennon had the strongest response as, [[ItsAllAboutMe convinced the album was a long attack on himself]], he convened [[Music/GeorgeHarrison George]] and Ringo for an AnswerSong, "How Do You Sleep?", later to appear on ''Music/{{Imagine}}''.

[[caption-width-right:301:''RAM''.]]

# "Eat At Home"/"Smile Away" (Live)

Released in 1971, ''RAM'' is Music/PaulMcCartney's second album following the breakup of Music/TheBeatles. Credited to "Paul & Linda [=McCartney=]" to keep album sales out of reach of the Beatle lawsuits, ''RAM'' was styled as an attempt to respond to critisms of 1970's ''Music/McCartney'' with a more fleshed-out production. Gone were the one-man band approach and [[EverythingIsAnInstrument shot glass and bow-and-arrow soloing]], replaced with a more typical series of pop songs. Critics did not respond as [=McCartney=] had hoped in the slightest, with Rolling Stone's Jon Landau famously calling it "the nadir in the decomposition of sixties rock" and holding a mock funeral for Paul as a spokesman for the counterculture. Even [[Music/RingoStarr Ringo]] publicly trashed the album, wondering if his bandmate had "gone strange" as "there wasn't a good tune on the record." Music/JohnLennon had the strongest response as, [[ItsAllAboutMe convinced the album was a long attack on himself]], he convened [[Music/GeorgeHarrison George]] and Ringo for an AnswerSong, "How Do You Sleep?", later to appear on ''Music/{{Imagine}}''.

Released in 1971, ''RAM'' is Music/PaulMcCartney's second album following the breakup of Music/TheBeatles. Credited to "Paul & Linda [=McCartney=]" to keep album sales out of reach of the Beatle lawsuits, ''RAM'' was styled as an attempt to respond to critisms of 1970's ''[=McCartney=]'' with a more fleshed-out production. Gone were the one-man band approach and [[EverythingIsAnInstrument shot glass and bow-and-arrow soloing]], replaced with a more typical series of pop songs. Critics did not respond as [=McCartney=] had hoped in the slightest, with Rolling Stone's Jon Landau famously calling it "the nadir in the decomposition of sixties rock" and holding a mock funeral for Paul as a spokesman for the counterculture. Even [[Music/RingoStarr Ringo]] publicly trashed the album, wondering if his bandmate had "gone strange" as "there wasn't a good tune on the record." Music/JohnLennon had the strongest response as, [[ItsAllAboutMe convinced the album was a long attack on himself]], he convened [[Music/GeorgeHarrison George]] and Ringo for an AnswerSong, "How Do You Sleep?", later to appear on ''Music/{{Imagine}}''.

** "Too Many People" starts off with a "Piece of cake" that sounds deliberately like "Piss off!" and quickly evolves into a rant about things "too many people" (but mostly John and Yoko) were doing at the time, particularly "preaching practices" and "sharing party lines".

Released in 1971, ''RAM'' is Music/PaulMcCartney's second album following the breakup of Music/TheBeatles. Credited to "Paul & Linda [=McCartney=]" to keep album sales out of reach of the Beatle lawsuits, ''RAM'' was styled as an attempt to respond to critisms of 1970's ''[=McCartney=]'' with a more fleshed-out production. Gone were the one-man band approach and [[EverythingIsAnInstrument shot glass and bow-and-arrow soloing]], replaced with a more typical series of pop songs. Critics did not respond as [=McCartney=] had hoped in the slightest, with Rolling Stone's Jon Landau famously calling it "the nadir in the decomposition of sixties rock" and holding a mock funeral for Paul as a spokesman for the counterculture. Even [[Music/RingoStarr Ringo]] publicly trashed the album, wondering if his bandmate had "gone strange" as "there wasn't a good tune on the record." Music/JohnLennon had the strongest response as, [[ItsAllAboutMe convinced the album was a long attack on himself]], he convened George and Ringo for an AnswerSong, "How Do You Sleep?", later to appear on ''Music/{{Imagine}}''.

->"The songs don't feel collaborative so much as cooperative: little schoolhouse plays that required every hand on deck to get off the ground. Paul had the most talent, so naturally he was up front, but he wanted everyone behind him, banging pots, hollering, whistling-- whatever it is you did, make sure you're back there doing it with gusto. It is exactly this homemade charm that has caught on with generations of listeners as the initial furor around the album subsided. What 2012's ears can find on Ram is a rock icon inventing an approach to pop music that would eventually become someone else's indie pop. It had no trendy name here; it was just a disappointing Beatles solo album."
--> Jayson Greene, ''Pitchfork'' review (2012)

In 1977, Percy "Thrills" Thrillington - [[AlternateRealityGame actually an adventurer persona McCartney invented to amuse himself]] - released an [[RearrangeTheSong orchestral]] version of ''RAM'' in its entirety.

* WordSaladLyrics: Par for the course with [=McCartney=]. "[[http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/paulmccartney/monkberrymoondelight.html Monkberry Moon Delight]]" is merely the worst offender.

!! Trooooooooooopes across the water! (water) Trooooooooooopes across the sky!

* IntercourseWithYou: "Eat At Home" is about oral sex with one's wife. "The Back Of My Car"

Released in 1971, ''RAM'' is Music/PaulMcCartney's second album following the breakup of Music/TheBeatles. Credited to "Paul & Linda [=McCartney=]" to keep album sales out of reach of the Beatle lawsuits, ''RAM'' was styled as an attempt to respond to critisms of 1970's ''[=McCartney=]'' with a more fleshed-out production. Gone were the one-man band approach and [[EverythingIsAnInstrument shot glass and bow-and-arrow soloing]], replaced with a more typical series of pop songs. Critics did not respond as [=McCartney=] had hoped in the slightest, with Rolling Stone's Jon Landau famously calling it "the nadir in the decomposition of sixties rock" and holding a mock funeral for Paul as a spokesman for the counterculture. Even [[Music/RingoStarr Ringo]] publicly trashed the album, wondering if his bandmate had "gone strange" as "there wasn't a good tune on the record." Music/JohnLennon had the strongest response as, [[ItsAllAboutMe convinced the album was a long attack on himself]], he convened George and Ringo for an AnswerSong, "How Do You Sleep?", later to appear on ''Music/Imagine''.

[[CriticalDissonance The critical slings and arrows stopped nobody from buying the record]], which spawned the hit singles "[[SongStyleShift Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]]", "[[IntercourseWithYou Eat At Home]]", and "[[PowerBallad The Back Seat Of My Car]]" on its way to the top of the charts worldwide. Taken aback by the cold reception, [=McCartney=] became convinced he needed to form a real band to feel like a real musician again, birthing the first lineup of Music/{{Wings}} with Linda and ''RAM'' drummer Danny Seiwell. Over time, the ''RAM'' has gained in reputation, and while not quite receiving the praise of its most [[Music/AllThingsMustPass direct]] [[Music/JohnLennonPlasticOnoBand comptetition]], is now considered a key forerunner of JanglePop.

[[CriticalDissonance The critical slings and arrows stopped nobody from buying the record]], which spawned the hit singles "[[SongStyleChange Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]]", "[[IntercourseWithYou Eat At Home]]", and "[[PowerBallad The Back Seat Of My Car]]" on its way to the top of the charts worldwide. Taken aback by the cold reception, [=McCartney=] became convinced he needed to form a real band to feel like a real musician again, birthing the first lineup of Music/{{Wings}} with Linda and ''RAM'' drummer Danny Seiwell. Over time, the ''RAM'' has gained in reputation, and while not quite receiving the praise of its most [[Music/AllThingsMustPass direct]] [[Music/JohnLennonPlasticOnoBand comptetition]], is now considered a key forerunner of JanglePop.