UK album release: Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney – 21 May 1971

Q: What did John Lennon think of Ram?

Lennon's song 'How Do You Sleep?' on Imagine (1971) was widely understood as a direct attack on McCartney, referencing lines from Ram and dismissing his post-Beatles output.

Q: What was McCartney's first post-Beatles US number one?

'Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey', the US single from Ram, which reached number one in the United States.

Q: Why didn't Ram reach number one in the US?

It was held off by Carole King's Tapestry, which spent 15 weeks at number one in 1971 and became one of the best-selling albums of all time.

May 18, 2026

UK album release: Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney – 21 May 1971

Friday 21 May 1971 | Paul McCartney, Release

Ram — the only album ever credited to both Paul and Linda McCartney — was released in the United Kingdom on 21 May 1971, four days after its US release on 17 May. It topped the UK album chart and reached number two in the US, held off only by Carole King's Tapestry. Despite a hostile critical reception on release, Ram has since been substantially reassessed and is now widely regarded as one of McCartney's finest solo works.

The Album

Ram was recorded primarily at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City between October 1970 and February 1971, with additional sessions at A&R Recording Studios in New York and at McCartney's farm in Scotland. It was produced by Paul McCartney and engineered by Ramone. The album featured a large cast of session musicians — McCartney played most of the instruments himself but brought in New York session players for additional parts. Linda McCartney contributed backing vocals throughout.

The album's sound was deliberately eclectic — moving between pastoral ballads, hard rock, music hall, and experimental passages — and its lyrics were playful and often oblique. Several songs were widely interpreted as containing coded messages directed at John Lennon and the other former Beatles, with whom McCartney was engaged in bitter legal disputes over the dissolution of Apple Corps.

The Critical Reception

The initial critical reception was hostile. Rolling Stone published a particularly savage review; Playboy was similarly dismissive. McCartney's fellow former Beatles were also lukewarm. John Lennon's response was pointed: his song 'How Do You Sleep?' on Imagine (1971) was widely understood as a direct attack on McCartney, with lines such as “The only thing you done was Yesterday / And since you've gone you're just Another Day.” George Harrison and Ringo Starr were more measured but not enthusiastic.

The critical consensus has shifted dramatically since. Ram is now frequently cited as a masterpiece of early 1970s pop — praised for its melodic invention, its warmth, and its refusal to take itself seriously. It has been cited as an influence by artists including Nilsson, XTC, and Vampire Weekend.

The Commercial Performance

Ram topped the UK album chart. In the US it reached number two, held off by Carole King's Tapestry — one of the best-selling albums of all time, which spent 15 weeks at number one in 1971. Despite being kept off the top spot, Ram spent five months in the US top 10 and was certified platinum.

The Singles

In the UK, 'The Back Seat Of My Car' was released as a single in August 1971 but reached only number 39. The US single 'Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey' proved far more successful — it reached number one in the United States, becoming McCartney's first post-Beatles US number one single. The song is a suite of loosely connected musical fragments, including a spoken-word section and a weather forecast, and is one of the most distinctive tracks on the album.

'Eat At Home' was issued as a single in several countries including Norway, Japan, Germany, and Ireland, with 'Smile Away' on the B-side. It was a moderate hit but failed to top any charts.

Linda McCartney's Credit

The decision to credit the album to Paul and Linda McCartney was both a personal statement and a commercial risk. Linda Eastman McCartney (1941–1998) had been a music photographer before her marriage to Paul in 1969 — she had photographed The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and many others. Her contribution to Ram was primarily as a backing vocalist and creative collaborator, and the joint credit reflected McCartney's view of their partnership. The decision attracted some criticism and mockery at the time.

Key Facts: 21 May 1971

Album: Ram
Credit: Paul and Linda McCartney
UK release date: 21 May 1971
US release date: 17 May 1971
UK chart peak: Number one
US chart peak: Number two (held off by Carole King's Tapestry)
US chart run: Five months in the top 10; certified platinum
UK single: 'The Back Seat Of My Car' (August 1971, number 39)
US single: 'Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey' (number one — McCartney's first post-Beatles US number one)
International single: 'Eat At Home' / 'Smile Away' (Norway, Japan, Germany, Ireland)
Recorded: Columbia Recording Studios and A&R Recording Studios, New York; McCartney's farm, Scotland

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ram?

The second solo album by Paul McCartney, released in May 1971 and credited to Paul and Linda McCartney — the only album to carry that joint credit. It topped the UK chart and reached number two in the US.

Why was Ram credited to Paul and Linda McCartney?

McCartney credited the album jointly as a reflection of their creative partnership. Linda contributed backing vocals and was a significant collaborator. The decision attracted criticism at the time but is now seen as a statement of their relationship.

What did John Lennon think of Ram?

Lennon's response was pointed. His song 'How Do You Sleep?' on Imagine (1971) was widely understood as a direct attack on McCartney, referencing lines from Ram and dismissing McCartney's post-Beatles output.