The Back Seat of My Car / Heart Of The Country

Track list

Side 1

1. The Back Seat of My Car

   Written by Paul McCartney

   4:30 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Producer Denny Seiwell : Drums Hugh McCracken : Electric guitar Eirik Wangberg : Mix engineer Phil Ramone : Recording engineer Marvin Stamm : Horns Mel Davis : Horns Ray Crisara : Horns Snooky Young : Horns Ron Carter : Double bass David Nadien : Violin The New York Philharmonic Orchestra : Horns, Strings Jim Guercio : Recording engineer Tim Geelan : Recording engineer Ted Brosnan : Assistant recording engineer Dixon Van Winkle : Assistant recording engineer Armin Steiner : Recording engineer

   SessionRecording : Oct 22, 1970 • Studio : CBS Studios, New York City

   SessionOverdubs : Jan 11, 1971 • Studio : A&R Studios, New York City

   SessionOverdubs : March-April 1971 • Studio : Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

   SessionMixing : March-April 1971 • Studio : Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon

Side 2

1. Heart of the Country

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   2:27 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Producer Denny Seiwell : Brushes Hugh McCracken : Electric guitar Eirik Wangberg : Mix engineer Jim Guercio : Recording engineer Tim Geelan : Recording engineer Ted Brosnan : Assistant recording engineer

   SessionRecording : Nov 16, 1970 • Studio : CBS Studios, New York City

   SessionMixing : March-April 1971 • Studio : Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon

Paul and Linda McCartney’s album “Ram” was released in May 1971. That summer, singles were selected from the album: in the United States, “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” backed with “Too Many People”; in the United Kingdom, “The Back Seat of My Car” backed with “Heart of the Country”; and in international markets “Eat at Home” backed with “Smile Away.”

“The Back Seat of My Car” / “Heart of the Country” was issued in the UK on August 13, 1971. While the US single “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” topped the charts, “The Back Seat of My Car” underperformed, peaking at number 39.

NEW POP SINGLES BY CHRIS WELCH

PAUL & LINDA McCARTNEY: “The Back Seat Of My Car” (Apple). Well, it’s not the most thrilling of songs. So far I have played this seven times in succession. In the final analysis it proves a most unmemorable performance.

As the Beatles, ex-or otherwise, seem so touchy these days, one does not wish to be rude, but it’s about as exciting as the window display of the Scots House, Knightsbridge. It has a certain wistful charm, a few romantic touches, but it lacks intensity or the bitter sweet qualities which make Paul such a fine writer.

From Melody Maker – August 21, 1971

Tipped for the Charts

PAUL & LINDA McCARTNEY
The Back Seat Of My Car (Apple)

IT’S always something of a disappointment when an artist of the calibre of McCartney is content to release a couple of tracks from his latest album for his new single.

Well, maybe it was the record company’s decision and not Paul’s, but it’s not nearly as satisfying as two original tracks. I have the “Ram” album, and I like it very much as a complete entity — though I don’t rate this as one of the best tracks on it.

Never mind, I’m sure this disc will be more than welcomed by those who don’t possess the LP. And doubtless there are sufficient of them to boost it into the chart.

Whilst not so melodically memorable as some of his numbers, it’s a ballad that’s rich in atmosphere — soothing, flowing, lilting and coloured by engaging harmonies and changing tempos.

Unknown publication