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IFLTS: 'Heart of the Country,' Paul and Linda McCartney

'Heart of the Country,' Paul and Linda McCartney
From 1971's 'Ram'

Allow me to rave about the "lowest point" of an "incredibly inconsequential" and "monumentally irrelevant" album, as Rolling Stone described 'Heart of the Country' (and 'Ram') upon its release.

Granted, this was a mere year after the Beatles went their separate ways, and the world was anxiously awaiting the former members to display their Fab Four-like grandeur individually (which, of course, they would do only occasionally). By forsaking epic prayers like 'Let It Be' and 'Hey Jude' for pastoral pleasures like 'Heart of the Country,' Paul McCartney not only fell short of expectations, he mocked them ... sorta like Mickey Mantle slugging wiffle balls.

Thirty-six years later, 'Heart of the Country' sounds like a man sublimely enjoying himself. Penned on his Scotland farm with wife Linda and daughters by his side, the bouncy, twangy number oozes domestic bliss (a sure-fire way to rankle hipsters). Sure, it's a little goofy: McCartney rhymes "grass in the meadow" with "woah, woah, woah!" and scats baby talk over the acoustic-guitar solos.

"I wanna horssssse," he gleefully slurs. "I wanna sheep/I wanna get me a good night sleep."

And, after running from screaming fans at Shea, trekking across India with the Maharishi and waging legal battles with his ex-bandmates, who could blame the guy?


What song do you freakin' love? Write our next IFLTS. Send it to us at spinnereditor@aim.com

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arjanahation13

Paul is awesome. Linda is sweet. Wings and the Beatles are cool. There is nothing wrong with the song. I think it's cool. After Shea Stadium and Beatlemania and all that you would think he would make a quiet, peaceful song for once. How could you not love it?! It's Paul McCartney!

July 12 2009 at 4:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1800HMB

I love this whole album, but I personally like "Monkberry Moon Delight" a little better

The other great ones are
Too Many People
Ram On
Dear Boy
Uncle Albert/Admiral Hallsey
Long Haired Lady
Backseat of my Car

May 02 2009 at 3:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MissLisa1970

It's McCartney...how could you not Freakin' love this song?

May 15 2008 at 4:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Breanna

I love Macca, i love ram. im 48 years younger than the guy, and still think he is a stud. the man is amazing. His mucis is great, epic, historybook worthy. and i know thats true seeing as ive read about it in my history classes, lol.
he's just as fab AT 65 as he was IN 65.
Lots of love to macca from 17 year old fan in minnesota!! (((K)))

August 28 2007 at 3:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pie

Aw..I think it's a cute, sweet song.
Ram has some good stuff on it, no matter what Rolling Stone says.

August 22 2007 at 7:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Randy

There are some damn good cuts on the Ram album and certainly it is melodic.It was hard living up to Beatle expetations when they were together let alone when they came apart.Individuals from other groups have withered and died under the pressure.Paul was brave and stepped out there.Rolling Stone thrived on Beatle controversy. Perhaps it sold more copies diss-ing Paul

June 23 2007 at 11:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bobby cormier

this song, like everything else on "ram" is disarmingly charming. pick up the CD and give it a couple of listens straight thru! it's got a very cool hipster cult following among the NYC underground art and freaky music scene people.

May 16 2007 at 2:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dee depriest

Paul can sing anything he likes...he's brilliant! If I had nothing more than to listen to Paul, life would be great. Good grief...he's single now and so am I for the same reasons. Call me :)

May 16 2007 at 1:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sunshine

Paul McCartney is a genius. And god, I miss Linda :(

May 11 2007 at 1:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jamie Mottram

I love Ram. Good pick.

April 07 2007 at 8:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply