Paul McCartney - Ram (full album) REACTION 

RAM is not just my favourite McCartney album, it’s one of my favourite albums period.

It's a brilliant album. Critics at the time talked shit ( because idiots were putting the blame of the Beatles breakup on Paul, specially with editor Jan Wenner from Rolling Stone magazine, who was a John fanboy and made some journalists actually changed their good reviews of the album to bad, encouraged negative reviews and talks...vile type of crap. Not to mention John himself that said some bullshit and some people acted like sheep without a personal opinion just repeating/feeling wtv they said they should. Anyway, today it's regarded as the bloody fantastic album it is. Give the album "Band on the Run" a try next.

Ram is a masterpiece.

I absolutely love "Too Many People". There has always been an elitist preference for Lennon's work, but I think there's room to appreciate both. John And Paul were very different people, and that became more evident as time passed by. They were both musical geniuses, and I appreciate both.

One thing about Paul and his massively prolific songwriting career... he writes what he wants, he does not overthink things and moves on to the next song, the next album, you name it. He ‘creates’ like most of breathe.

I have held this album in very high regard for fifty years and it's such a pleasure to see it receiving the praise it deserves.

Paul is so massively talented it's Scarry. Great album one of my all-time favs.

Glad you loved Monkberry Moon Delight. Listening to Paul "effortlessly" bounce up and down the scale over the final couple minutes just never gets old. Paul also employs an old "trick" on Ram that I love: the gruff vocal on "Monkberry..." follows his smooth/sweet/lilting vocal tone on "Heart of the Country". The contrast is fascinating. He does the same on The Beatles White Album, where the gruff "Why Don't We Do it In the Road?" is immediately followed by the romantic "I Will". In both instances, I would imagine that an uninitiated listener would be shocked to learn that it's the same vocalist on both tracks!

this album is just bursting at the seams with creativity. i believe one of the reasons critics maligned it at the time is because the sounds were just too “abnormal” and ahead of their time. this is proved by how good it still sounds today. as far as Wings albums, Band on the Run is amazing.

Paul was just 1/4th of a band called The Beatles. Easy to see why they were so good!☮☮☮

DEAR BOY - no mention of the genius vocal work throughout - layer of melody - counterpoint and background oohs and aahs - incredible craftsmenship.

The critics at the time totally missed the pathos here. They took John's "primal scream" album Plastic Ono Band at face value, but you can't listen to the Monkberry Moon Delight or the screams at the end of Back Seat and not realize this is a man baring his soul abstractly.

So glad to see someone share my love for Monkberry Moon Delight. It’s Paul in all his screaming glory. This is definitely in my top 5 McCartney post-Beatle albums. Others I’d recommend are 2 wings albums; Band on the Run and Venus & Mars. And then I’d also suggest Flaming Pie and Memory Almost Full. There’s also Chaos & Creation in the Backyard which is a brilliant album but quite folksy, so may not be your cup of tea.

Paul used to use the alias Paul Ramon when he checked into hotels so that is more than likely where the phrase Ram On comes from. This is also where The Ramones took their band name from, with a slight spelling change. Also when Paul played bass and drums on the Steve Miller song My Dark Hour in 1969 he was credited as Paul Ramon in the album liner notes.

The ending to Ram Reprise "Who's that coming round that corner, who's that coming round that bend..." turns into the song Big Barn Bed, the lead tract to Red Rose Speedway, an album two discs later.

The song you considered was "filler" on side one and the Ram On reprise that you didn't think you wanted to be on the second side are MOOD setters which tie the album together. It is a a full listening experience and some songs create contrast and a variation in flow for the impact of the song that follows. Probably better not to think of it in terms of which songs you can tap your feet to at a concert and rather imagine the experience of listening to the full album from start to finish with the lights off late at night, like watching a great movie uninterrupted... then probably those songs that didn't seem to belong shine out as perfect little segues carrying you from one amazing song to another. If everyone of them was a power pop masterpiece, the lack of contrast would detract from the experience. Interesting to see what you guys liked best.

WOW what a gem!! Paul McCartney is such a prolific creative genius, ahead of his time. Blown away by this. On repeat. Mad respect 🙏🏼

It was because Paul McCartney got the blame for the Beatles beak up because he was the one who announced that he was quitting the Beatles but John Lennon had already silently quit the Beatles 7 months earlier in September 1969

Definitely in my top 3 solo Paul albums

The critics have been hard on Paul since the beginning, but history has proved them wrong. I’m reminded of the Impressionist painters who were criticized and deny gallery space. In the 80’s they gathered these paintings, Monet, Renoir, Degas, etc... and put them on display as The New Painters Exhibit. Brilliantly they put the critics comments below the paintings. They were all unknown and the art lasts forever.

In popular press at the time we were all being told that Linda had no talent and was just Paul's "Yoko". It's very evident now, that it wasn't true. She worked very hard to improve her musicianship. Her vocals sound great to me now. R.I.P. Linda.

As a fan of Beatles+solo works for 40 years I only recently listened to this masterpiece album. If I could sue the stupid music critics, whose comments had put me off listening to it earlier, I would! :) For me this is the best album any of them did post-Beatles. It's fun, whacky, wild and uplifting! My theory is that at the time of release the music critics were suffering from the 20s-something juvenilism - that I suffered too much - where you think art has to be heavy, dark and serious ... Hence the praise for Lennon's misery and the disdain for Paul's celebrations of life and joy.

I think this album was Paul McCartneys best work outside the Beatles and at the time it had only been a year since the Beatles had broken up officially. So it didn't get the respect because it was way different that the Beatles had done. Also like me many people realy liked the album but wished it was a Beatle Album. Even today who can write, play and sing 10 good songs on a single album. McCartney truly is a master of his musical craft......

I recommend the Band on the Run album in it's entirety. I really like his first solo album, commonly referred to as the "Cherries"album because of its back cover.It's raw and pretty primitive. He wrote and plays all the instruments and r3corded at his home in rural Scotland. The movie Jerry Maguire features some of the music from it.

Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey is my absolute favorite song by Paul. Tears, as I've not heard it in 50 years or so. Thanks.

This album is considered by many as the beginning of the 'indie' sound. Before it was called that. Yes, awesome. Rickie Lee Jones had it on her top 10 "Albums you must have if your stranded on a deserted island". That says a lot.

What a fun ride with you two. As an old Beatle fan, this was considered Pop Rock post the Beatle era and was maligned by some yet was a popular album. Paul once described his writing style as being a bit Tin Pan Alley. It was popular, very much music for the people. He never took his fame and popular persona so seriously. He is a true music master and delivers every time. Another thing I find interesting is how good Pop music was back in the '60s and 70's so, much better crafted than today. Many artists and songs I dismissed when I was young I came to enjoy later in life. If it wasn't the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc. it wasn't worthy. Wow, just young and dumb. Also, the ukelele was a very popular instrument in the British Isles back in the day and the Beatles often composed their initial music with the one. There are a few outtakes of their early compositions being played on a ukelele before being fully arranged and played on guitars etc.

This was really fantastic! I’ve never listened to it fully before either! But it was a great experience to listen to it with you two! Really great album ! Thanks!

I was about 16 when Ram came out. Major Beatles fan. I loved Ram immediately. Listened to it over and over. My friends liked it too. We weren't all backward back then. I still have my original copy of the LP. It's been said that Ram was the original indie album. It became a blueprint for those that followed. Those who didn't appreciate Paul's whimsy, light-heartedness and cleverness weren't paying attention to what he did with the Beatles. Obla di. Obla da. Critics hated Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick and the Who's Tommy. Small minds with big mouths. Ram on!

Great job, guys... loved that you were appreciating Linda's vocals... you might, or might not, know that back in the day, Paul took a LOT of flack for including Linda in the band - she was a photographer, not a musician - as noted, it was hard to follow the Beatles; he went in a different direction. Taught her the parts, worked with her on keyboards, and she developed into a legitimate band member. If you're interested in Wings, I think Band On The Run, Venus and Mars, and London Town are strong showcases of Paul's inventiveness, musicality, and the complex simplicity of his compositions. You can hum any of his melodies, but there's so much going on around them.

Thanks for this. I must admit as a young kid I believed the crap and passed on this album. Its great. Thanks for opening my eyes. BTW - Paul was lead guitar on "Taxman". And on "Good Morning Good Morning" :) And many others.

This was the most Beatles sounding album of all the solo albums put out by the individual Beatles. Hearing it now, I can't help but hear the musical direction the Beatles would have gone had they stayed together. It also shows how much influence Paul had when they were together (which was part of the reason they split, as the others felt their ideas weren't being respected). For a John Lennon reaction I'd recommend either "Imagine" or "Plastic Ono Band" (the latter being Lennon's most personal album, as well as his most emotionally intense: it's not for the faint of heart). Great reaction! It's fun to see younger generations respond to older generation's music.

Having grown up on the Beatles and post-Beatles music, your reaction to Linda's singing is completely opposite to how most people reacted at the time . . . a lot of people absolutely hated her vocal contributions. Funny how good this album sounds 50 years on. Now a classic, but not well respected at the time

RAM is easily one of my favourite albums ever. the fun, the joy, the beauty, the carelessness, the freedom!!! paul is having fun, paul is making beauty, paul is being free on this record! i am so angry with critics who bashed this absolute genius of a record. and im so happy it's loved nowadays altho i wish it would be more known. thank you for your reaction!

It was worth it all for your reaction to Monkberry Moon Delight, so I'm glad I was pointed this way. Cheers and thanks for sharing!

As a lifelong Beatles fan, I'm shocked I never listened to the post-Beatles albums (except for the popular singles). I've listened to most of the solo work through 1975 and this is my favorite album. All Things Must Pass is a close second, but this album is just outstanding.

The Beatles are my favorite band of all time and listening to their individual work is amazing because I just fallen in love with all of their music! And I just never get tired there are so many albums! And the stories behind the music, just makes it that much more special!!

Hey guys, great review! And for the songs Ram on and the reprised version, don't forget this was the first indie album. We are now so used to bands doing little things like this. We are also used to banjo's, ukelele's, and whatever. It is tunes like this that bind the album together and makes it light and fun. Paul just has so much fun making music and does not take himself too serious. But I feel from your review that you did get the spirit of the album and the time!

I love Paul’s production and composition work on Dear Boy so much, new layer to hear every time you listen to it

Loved this album for so many years thus this is so enjoyable to watch your reactions to Paul's work, excellent guys loved watching

Paul was famously the lead guitarist on Taxman. George had problems with it and paul stepped in. George fully approved by the way of the end result!

This is and always has been one of my fav albums. Thank you guys for giving this the respect and enjoyment it deserves. Just subscribed on the back of this

This is a fantastic, objective review. Absolutely enjoyable stress-free hangout experience. Subscribed.

Solid review, gents. McCartney can pretty much do any genre he wants.

Ram is my favorite of all the Beatle solo albums. It has been my go-to summer music for decades. Uncle Albert's thundercrash contains, for me, the smell of a summer rain on hot pavement. I have to admit, I would sometimes skip the more virulent sections of Monkberry Moon Delight. Today, I listened for the first time on my good home stereo, and heard all sorts of sounds (say, the twang of a bass string, Paul's impromptu background vocals, etc.) There really is a lot going on in these seemingly simple songs. As for the talents of John Lennon, may I suggest you avoid Two Virgins, Rock 'n Roll, Sometime in New York City, the Live stuff with Frank Zappa, and most of the rest of his catalog. (OK, Imagine has a few bright spots, as does Plastic Ono Band). I love John, but I fear the pressure took a terrible toll on his genius. Oh yes -- The Pussy Cats album he produced for Harry Nilsson is excellent. Congrats on the format - and the obvious love you have for what you are doing. Can't wait to see what you do next. Band on the Run would be the logical choice.

Because Paul's split from the Beatles in April of 1970. The other 3 had already left the group, at least once, and John quit the September earlier in 69. Paul's split was the one that hit the papers and the world was pissed at him for splitting up the Beatles. His rise to solo stardom was the hardest of the 4 and he ended up the one being most successful. All 4 were talented, but Paul's work ethic shone sometimes brighter. Lennon always seemed to fall into songs off of a phrase or headline. McCartney was more into craftsmanship, and building a song (His arguments with George about noodling over song ideas before the core of the song was ready, wore thin on him in the Get Back doc.) George noodled with everything and that hesitation kept him at number 3. Ringo was always just a work horse of versatility and feel. I am always amazed at the layers of harmonies on this, with the little 8 track recorder.

Haven't heard this in about 45 years! Thanks!!

I thoroughly enjoyed your reaction to Ram,nice to see afresh set of ears listening to what I feel is McCartneys masterpiece 50 years later when I was listening to it as a young boy.This was a time when he had complete command of his voice and maturity as a songwriter

Great reaction! This and his first album are my favorites by McCartney, there is just something fresh, fun and a bit experimental about them that he left behind on later albums. Monk berry Moon Delight could have been a Tom Waits song! My favorite cut is Back seat of my car, epic!!

Thanks for covering this great album . I was laughing away as you said I’m waiting for that screaming Paul song as it was just waiting to be played next. 😂 Monk has been a fav of mine for years . Throw in the other single around the album Another Day / Oh Woman Oh why and you get two more good songs. A side being a hit and b side being another Paul screamer. So check out that b side

Nice listen, I didn't know this album, it's wonderful ;-)

Great take on this great album. I remember the critics at the time slagging it off, you were spot on. It was hard to follow the Beatles. John and George came out of the blocks in 1970, but Paul re-grouped and kept going. Just subscribed, you know your stuff lads. Cheers

Enjoyed listening to this and you guys. I haven't replaced the vinyl with CD yet in my collection so I haven't heard these songs in 20+ years. I would like to comment that I think Wings - Back To The Egg is really underrated and I think you guys might enjoy listening and discussing that one. Cheers

This album is just fun. It gets under your skin in a good way and shows Paul at his best "F*ck it all, I'm going to do what I want".

we all know Mccartney is a top 5 bass player but his lead guitar is very good.

The end of the Ram On reprise WAS made into a song. Go to the opening track of the Red Rose Speedway album from 1973. The song is called Big Barn Bed.

I was never a big fan of Paul's catalog of non-rocking collection of saccharine sweet love songs _(really liked his bass playing & vocal harmonizing talents with the Beatles)_ but I've gotta tell you, this album is my favorite of all Paul's albums. From beginning to end it's a great collection of musical inspirations. Not really a song on it that I don't like.

Love your videos and reactions. You are both so likeable (brothers I assume) and interesting. Keep up the good work

Great job, gentlemen, covering a truly brilliant work by Sir Paul. One of the things I love about it are the orchestral "bits" employing the string and horn sections of the famed New York Philharmonic. The orchestra, in fact, was used on more than a half-dozen recordings by Sir Paul over the years. Phenomenal talents, matched with the greatest pop star of all time!

A lot of great knowledgable comments below. I bought this album when it came out in ‘71 and though it was different than the Beatles, there was something that grabbed you. It was totally different from any thing we had heard before and touched on so many different genres and had really interesting and varied songs on it. You can see how leaving the biggest band of all time, experiencing a really difficult breakup with three of his closest friends and kind of not knowing where to go next knocked him back but also caused him to push himself into creating a whole new sound in collaboration with Linda who kind of had to replace the other three Beatles as his musical collaborator on this album. Where do songs like Monkberry Moon Delight even come from ? I had sort of forgotten about how great this album was and saw a RU-vid tribute to it by Tim Christensen and Mike Viola and others which was awesome. Here’s a link to their cover of Monkberry Moon Delight ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QKgZRiQFX6I.html. Their album is called Pure McCartney which is a cool live tribute because as far as I know Paul never played this album in concert. Great job as usual guys. Thx

so nice to see your reactions and opinions! I truly believe that the Beatles are the greatest but Paul is something else, he's always loved music so listening to his work you can feel his joy and his careless perfectionism. great songwriter, vocalist and producer who can do all by himself, a very inspirational guy in all senses! I recommend you guys checking out his Wings albums as well as the two McCartney albums ('McCartney' and 'McCartney II'). I know he embraces the pop formula a little too much but his music also has a lot of feeling and occasional experimentalism. and keep checking for the trivia about the inspiration behind the songs! there's lots of cool info that build up the songs, like Monkberry Moon Delight being about funny words that his children used to say, like "monk" being "milk". lots of cute things about his family most of the time. :) greetings from Brazil! 👐

For a John Lennon album I recommend the raw and pure Plastic Ono Band, his first right after the Beatles break up in 1970. And have you ever listended to the Beatles so called White Album? The album is quite diverse, with much blues, a bit country etc. Helter Skelter on there is their hardest rock song, Paul screaming on lead.

This album got panned when it first came out, but now is widely known as the first "Indie" album. I never listened to this til about 7 years after it came out and I've loved it then and now. He was being compared to John's first offerings (Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, two great albums) and of course George's All Things Must Pass. Ram on!

Your audio is really good, much appreciated !

Monkberry moon delight is a one off absolute favourite. I'm sure I read that the phrase was something young Heather said and Macca being the genius he is thought i like that

Paul never allowed his music to be played in a commercial. He was very adamant about that. He was furious with Sony and Michael Jackson when they sold some of The Beatles songs for commercials. He made such a fuss that they stopped selling his songs for commercials.

Wow, haven’t watched yet but this album was played on loop in my fathers car when I was 7. I still don’t know if I love this album solely for that nostalgia or because it’s actually a great album. One track I know for sure is great is “Heart of the Country”. Looking forward to see if you fellas felt the same.

One of my all time favorite albums! I know every word of it, the order of the songs, sing with the windows down on a summer day driving down the highway! Love it!!

Uncle Albert is a transition type song. Band on the run too. This is Paul's silliest album. Perhaps that's why i like it so much

A late viewer of your video but also what used to be called one of many who named themselves "Beatle People". Great observations and insights, guys! "Apple to the Core" is an excellent book exposing the details of the breakup of the Beatles if you can find it. My observations: First two songs were, no doubt, directed at John and others but, also to himself, in my opinion. Ram On is a good example, after telling others off he then uses George's favorite instrument, the Ukulele, which all three used to sit down and play together whenever visiting George at his house. George had lots of them and would pass them out for all to play, including other artists. I think this is Paul's song to himself more than to anyone else now, but also saying to the four of them, Now that we've all said our piece,, Let's move on from here, which includes an instrument which often brought them all together. In retrospect, this entire album may be a message of sorts. The Beatles were very familiar with concept albums and had even created their own with Sgt. Pepper and yes, Abbey Road with song ties like "Here Comes the Sun" and "Here Comes the Sun King" (a famous French king who had hopes of bringing about a sort of world peace). "And in the end, the love you make is equal to the love you take" as opposed to seeking such outside sources as Krishna...Abbey (the church, not just the studio) Road being an incredibly subtle debate about outsode sources of God verses our own ability to give and to receive. Most of what The Beatles songs included, even from the beginning included subtle messages or words. This seemed to be a pattern initiated by John with such books as "A Spaniard in the Works" or his involvement with the movie "How I Won the War". As time goes on more and more will be discovered about the Beatles music just as seems to happen with all great composers. PS...Monkberry Moon Delight is one of those read between the lines song...it's about sex but in those days, everything needed to be in code, ie, the term rock and roll and the meaning behind it (Wikipedia). PS..."Eat at Home" is not about food. Another read between the lines song. Sexual activity was not quite openly spoken about quite yet...at least, not to that degree! These are my opinions, of course. But, in order to provide some context of the times I hope it is, at least, somewhat insightful.

Great reaction! John's Plastic Ono Band next? It perfectly shows how different John and Paul were at the time AND it's a hell of an album!

Takes a few listens but it is a great album. Uncle Albert one of the greatest songs of all time, lush and brilliant

awesome review guys. I have always struggled deciding who was the better, Lennon or McCartney. I have finally realised they were both great. separately, but must importantly together. Also I now recognize where Blurr got the 'oh hooo' from. Enjoyed this journey with you, so thanks boys

Hey guys the song bit at the end of Ram On (Reprise) actually appeared later on in early 73 on Red Rose Speedway by Wings. it's called "Big Barn Bed". It's a FUN AF song.

I think it's a great album. I still listen to it pretty regularly. For me, the weakest song is Long Haired Lady. I agree, it needs some cutting. I'm older than you guys and I can tell you that it was a real fashion to bag Paul. There was a lot of talk along the lines of "John was the visionary in the band, Paul was a lightweight" which was so much crap. It probably stung Paul but he kept at it anyway. He's never stopped working, now he's almost 80!

wow, thanks guys this is the first time i took the time to listen to this album in full and i think this might have just become my perfect album, enjoyed every song (and you guys’ review)

And it's pretty much a love song to Linda, or a love album. I'm watching you guys listen to Long-Haired Lady right now, and my heart is overwhelmed. Thank you guys. ❤

I had such a blast reacting along with you, I love this album and I loved the video! If you're interested in a Wings album, I'd check out Venus & Mars. Incredible album, good production and a lot of catchy tunes. Paul, as always, at his best ;) Thanks guys, I'll be sure to tune in again!

Great review! So glad you liked 'Monkberry Moon Delight' and on your first listen! This is just such a varied set of songs, so many different styles. I went through the 'this album is too catchy and flimsy' phase, believing the critics ... one book I read described the album as being like an Easter egg .. nice packaging but nothing inside, which really isn't true. However, back in the day, it seems like lyrics had to be heavy or 'meaningful'. Anyway, great review and I see you have done 'Revolver' so that one, my favourite Beatle album, will be my next watch!

RAM is one of the best albums of his history, greetings from argentina!!!

Such a marvelous album. It's as wonderful today as it was back when it came out. Still sounds fresh and it probably always will.

You guys have so much great music of theirs both as the Beatles and solo to experience . Enjoy

Listen to "another day" wich was a single too . its a well known song from this album, i believe its on cd 2 so... but its part of the album, you must listen to that, its great

I’m surprised you havnt been dinged by Yt but I’m glad you weren’t, cuz I’m able to enjoy the songs while you listen.

One of my favorite McCartney songs She’s My Baby. I purchased the LP because of this song.

Monkberry Moon Delight is the ultimate answer to the avant garde argument in the Beatles. Strains of Shoenberg and Stockhausen mixed with a mixture of singing styles. Recorded with his wife and child as backing vocals - :) The Co-writing of Paul and Linda was a way of getting around the freeze on Apple assets on all four of the Beatles. With Linda co-credited it meant he got half the money on the album as she was nothing to do with Apple. He was sued by the new rights owner and had to do the awful James Paul MacCartney TV program to 'pay off' the debt.

I’m enjoying watching you guys enjoying it

The butter wouldn't melt, so he put it in a pie.

This album is masterpiece.

these are really cool reactions. thanks.

Thank you so much for giving this album a proper perusal. This, Abbey Road and Exile on Main Street were the albums I carried over from my initial Mono turntable/amplifier to a full fledged stereo. "Sitting in the Backseat" brings intense feelings of nostalgia which yanks tears out of my now pavlovian sockets. By the way, who but Paul could put that particular vocal flourish on "Monkberry"? Nobody, EVER!

Fantastic review!

Thanks guys that was fun! You need to do Band on the Run at some stage too...

welp, had to listen for myself to see if I'd LOVE HIS RAM, lol. Best part of this youtube experience was watching Ryan discuss the politics surrounding this album and then reading the comments which I knew were going to reflect that and they didn't disappoint. The Beatles affected EVERYONE who was alive back then. Good reaction as well, Cheers.

RAM is like Beck but 20 years early.

Been listening to this album for 45 years, yet I really enjoyed listening to it with you guys. As you mentioned, "Band on the Run" would be an excellent next step and introduction to Wings

Love watching you both get your stank face on for every song! told ya, great album!!

Uncle Albert one of my favorite songs of all time. Brilliant composing .

😅 loved your reactions to this album! I never thought about it at the time, but you're right, it was really ahead of its time. I guess everyone just had to catch up with Paul and Linda McCartney! 🎸🎵

I loved it when it came out