Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Get Back sessions - January 14, 1969 - Day 9
Jan 14, 1969
May-August 1970
"Ram" sessions (Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles)
March-April, 1971
Jun 15, 1971
Jun 16, 1971
Jun 17, 1971
Jun 18, 1971
Related interviews
Paul McCartney Talks VIP Soundcheck Shows: 'It's a Tribal Ritual'
Aug 15, 2016 • From RollingStone
Jan 01, 2005
Related articles
Paul and Linda McCartney go and live in Scotland for a few months
April 10 to August 1970
Spread the love! If you like what you are seeing, share it on social networks and let others know about The Paul McCartney Project.
Song facts
“The Back Seat Of My Car” is the last track of 1971 “Ram” album, by Paul & Linda McCartney. From Wikipedia:
[…] The song modulates stylistically between a sweeping piano-and-orchestra ballad similar to McCartney’s “The Long and Winding Road” and upbeat rock sections before ending in a raucous and passionate finale.
McCartney first presented this composition for The Beatles’ consideration during the Get Back rehearsals on 14 January 1969 at Twickenham Film Studios in London, but the album was aborted before anything could be done with the song, which eventually did not make it onto Let It Be either.
According to McCartney, this song and other car-based songs in his late-Beatles and early solo career, such as “Two of Us” and “Helen Wheels,” were inspired by the long road trips he and Linda used to take as the Beatles were breaking up. Most of the song is a piano-based ballad. But it is interspersed with orchestral sections and sections inspired by 50s-style rock ‘n’ roll. Allmusic critic Stewart Mason likens the main tune to those of McCartney’s Beatle songs “Two of Us” and “You Never Give Me Your Money.” Mason compares the effect of the various song sections to the medley from the Beatles Abbey Road and to some of the Beach Boys’ post-Pet Sounds work. […]
John Lennon felt that this song, among others on the album, was directed critically towards him; in particular, he perceived the protagonists who sing “We believe that we can’t be wrong” to be himself and Yoko Ono. Allmusic critic Stewart Mason claims that in the context of the criticism McCartney was receiving in the aftermath of the Beatles breakup, this line sounds more like a “statement of personal intent” than the declaration of love it could be in the context of the song’s lyrics themselves.
In a contemporary review for RAM, Jon Landau of Rolling Stone described “The Back Seat of My Car” as one of only two good songs he enjoyed on the album, the other being “Eat at Home“. Landau further described the song as “the album’s production number“.
Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic said the song demonstrated the “imaginative and gorgeous” arrangements on Ram and called the song its “sad, soaring finale.” Mason considers it to be the “true highlight” of Ram.
“Back Seat of My Car” is the ultimate teenage song, and even though it was a long time since I was a teenager and had to go to a girl’s dad and explain myself, it’s that kind of meet-the-parents song. It’s a good old driving song. [Sings] “We can make it to Mexico City.” I’ve never driven to Mexico City, but it’s imagination. And obviously “back seat” is snogging, making love.
Paul McCartney, “Paul McCartney On His Not-So-Silly Love Songs”. Billboard.
From mixing engineering Eirik Wangberg:
We did lots of overdubbing, such as brand new bass and guitar tracks. Plus, I edited the orchestral bit at the end of the song and, following Paul’s taste, mix the drums to the fore. Other cool bits were done, such adding more vocals such as the improvisation and ad-libs that we superimposed almost syllable by syllable.
Engineer Eirik Wangberg, interviewed by Claudio Dirani, 2005
In 2005, “The Back Seat Of My Car” received the remix treatment of DJ Hellraiser, and was released on the “Twin Freaks” album.
Last updated on June 6, 2020
Lyrics
Speeding along the highway, honey I want it my way,
But listen to her daddy's song,
Don't stay out too long,
Were just busy hidin', sittin' in the back seat of my car.
Lookin' all around and all about
Lookin' all around and all about
The maze of lights are pretty, we may end up in Mexico City,
But listen to her daddy's song, making love is wrong,
We're just busy ridin', sittin' in the back seat of my car.
For we was only hidin', sitting in the back seat of my car,
And when we've finished drivin' we can say we were late in arrivin',
And listen to her daddy's song,
We believe that we can't be wrong,
Ah we believe that we can't be wrong,
Ah we believe that we can't be wrong.
We can make it to Mexico City, sittin' in the backseat of my car.
Ah we believe that we can't be wrong,
Ah we believe that we can't be wrong,
Ah we believe that we can't be wrong,
No no no,
No we believe that we can't be wrong.
Officially appears on
LP • Released in 1971
4:30 • Studio version • A • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals
- Linda 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
- Session Recording:
- Oct 22, 1970
- Studio :
- CBS Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- Jan 11, 1971
- Studio :
- A&R Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
The Back Seat of My Car / Heart Of The Country
7" Single • Released in 1971
4:30 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals
- Linda 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
- Session Recording:
- Oct 22, 1970
- Studio :
- CBS Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- Jan 11, 1971
- Studio :
- A&R Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 1971
4:30 • Studio version • B • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals
- Linda 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
- Session Recording:
- Oct 22, 1970
- Studio :
- CBS Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- Jan 11, 1971
- Studio :
- A&R Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
LP • Released in 1977
4:51 • Studio version • C • Stereo • Instrumental version
- Percy "Thrills" Thrillington :
- Producer
- Richard Hewson :
- Arrangements, Orchestration
- Tony Clark :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Vic Flick :
- Guitar
- Clem Cattini :
- Drums
- Herbie Flowers :
- Bass
- Steve Gray :
- Piano
- Jim Lawless :
- Percussion
- Alan Parsons :
- Second engineer
- Unknown musician(s) :
- Horns, Recorder, Saxophone, Strings
- Carl Dolmetsch :
- Recorder
- Carl Dolmetsch Family :
- Recorders
- Session Recording:
- Jun 15, 1971
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Jun 16, 1971
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Jun 17, 1971
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Jun 18, 1971
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1993
4:30 • Studio version • A1993 • Stereo • 1993 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals
- Linda 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
- Peter Mew :
- Remastering
- Armin Steiner :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Oct 22, 1970
- Studio :
- CBS Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- Jan 11, 1971
- Studio :
- A&R Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- March 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 1993
4:30 • Studio version • A1993.1 • 1993 remaster by Steve Hoffman
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals
- Linda 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
- Steve Hoffman :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- Oct 22, 1970
- Studio :
- CBS Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- Jan 11, 1971
- Studio :
- A&R Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
CD • Released in 1995
4:51 • Studio version • C1995 • Stereo • Instrumental version. 1995 remaster
- Percy "Thrills" Thrillington :
- Producer
- Richard Hewson :
- Arrangements, Orchestration
- Tony Clark :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Vic Flick :
- Guitar
- Clem Cattini :
- Drums
- Herbie Flowers :
- Bass
- Steve Gray :
- Piano
- Jim Lawless :
- Percussion
- Alan Parsons :
- Second engineer
- Unknown musician(s) :
- Horns, Recorder, Saxophone, Strings
- Carl Dolmetsch :
- Recorder
- Carl Dolmetsch Family :
- Recorders
- Session Recording:
- Jun 15, 1971
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Jun 16, 1971
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Jun 17, 1971
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Jun 18, 1971
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 2001
4:30 • Studio version • A2001 • 2001 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Remastering
- 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
- Peter Mew :
- Remastering
- Armin Steiner :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Oct 22, 1970
- Studio :
- CBS Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- Jan 11, 1971
- Studio :
- A&R Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Wingspan: Hits & History [CD Sampler]
Official album • Released in 2001
4:29 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals
- Linda 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
- Session Recording:
- Oct 22, 1970
- Studio :
- CBS Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- Jan 11, 1971
- Studio :
- A&R Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Wingspan Hits And History (US version)
Official album • Released in 2001
4:30 • Studio version • A2001 • 2001 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Remastering
- 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
- Peter Mew :
- Remastering
- Armin Steiner :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Oct 22, 1970
- Studio :
- CBS Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- Jan 11, 1971
- Studio :
- A&R Studios, New York City
- Session Overdubs:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- March-April 1971
- Studio :
- Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Bootlegs
A/B Road Complete Get Back Sessions - Jan 14th, 1969 - 1 & 2
Unofficial album • Released in 2004
4:11 • Rehearsal • Jan.14 - D1-23 - The Back Seat Of My Car 14.22
- Session Recording:
- Jan 14, 1969
- Studio :
- Twickenham Film Studios, London, UK
A/B Road Complete Get Back Sessions - Jan 14th, 1969 - 1 & 2
Unofficial album • Released in 2004
3:21 • Rehearsal • Jan.14 - D1-24 - The Back Seat Of My Car 14.23
- Session Recording:
- Jan 14, 1969
- Studio :
- Twickenham Film Studios, London, UK
Unofficial album • Released in 2002
5:20 • Outtake • Early take - Ram sessions 11/70 - 3/71
Unofficial album
Live performances
“The Back Seat Of My Car” has been played in 1 concerts.
Latest concerts where The Back Seat Of My Car has been played
Mexico City • Estadio Azteca • Mexico
Oct 28, 2017 • Part of One On One Tour
Contribute!
Have you spotted an error on the page? Do you want to suggest new content? Or do you simply want to leave a comment ? Please use the form below!
Mexico 2017 Live - Azteca Stadium, Short version
Thank you ! Indeed, Paul has sung a few words after "My Valentine" - "The lazy lights are pretty, we may end up in Mexico City"
Who orchestrated the arrangement for this track? It sounds like George Martin's work, as he was credited on another Ram track, Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey. But no orchestrator or arranger is credited for Backseat of My Car. Thank you for this website, it's a great resource.
thanks Tom for the kind words. Great question, unf, I don't have the answer for now !