The Back Seat of My Car

Album: Ram (1971)
Charted: 39
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Songfacts®:

  • McCartney started writing this while he was still a member of The Beatles. It was his attempt at a classic American love song, with a classic American theme: driving off with the girl you love.
  • In the UK, this was McCartney's second single as a solo artist, following "Another Day." It wasn't issued as a single in America, where another track from the Ram album, "Uncle Albert - Admiral Halsey," got the honor and went to #1.

    "The Back Seat Of My Car" placed at just #39 in the UK, surprising considering McCartney's history of hits with The Beatles. Many fans and critics found his first two solo albums - McCartney and Ram - underwhelming, especially when his former bandmates (even Ringo) were cranking out hits. Paul ended up having an exceptional solo career, and those first two albums gained a lot of respect through the lens of history.
  • There were some lines in this song that John Lennon thought were directed at him and Yoko. Specifically, "We believe that we can't be wrong."
  • The New York Philharmonic provided the orchestral accompaniment on this track.

Comments: 11

  • Eddie B. from South FloridaLike several of the songs on Ram, John Lennon interpreted it as an attack on him and Yoko Ono, most notably in the refrain “We believe that we can’t be wrong”. “Well,” he responded, “I believe that you could just be wrong.”
  • George from Vancouver, CanadaThis just came on the radio, & HORRID!!! I was too far away to ban the song from future playing. . :'( Hard to believe it's Sir Paul McCartney! & not with Ono!
  • Buddy from Branford, CtEver since I put this album on my turn table back in 1971.... I fell in love with this song!!!
    Everytime I listen to it, I go right back to that time period. Man it was great!!!
    John had the "Imagine" album/ single and his Christmas single " Happy Christmas"
    George released the epic album "The Concert for Bangla Desh
    And Ringo, "It Don't Come Easy" co-written with George Harrison.
    Ahhhhh...what a year....
    12/26/12
  • Tiko from Xalapa, MexicoI wish he'd play this song in Mexico City...
  • Ken from Louisville, KyGeorge Martin wrote the orchestral score for this song, although he was not involved in its recording.
  • Bobby from Lansdale, PaAbsolutely one of my favorite songs ever. Anyone have any idea what the lyrics are near the end?
  • Britt from Boston, MaThis song is so beautiful I listen to it while i'm in the shower. This song proved to me that Paul McCartney is a musical genius. When he says 'we believe that we can't be wrong' is my favorite song and his voice gets really high. I'm surprised that not many people have heard of this song, I love it so much and I play it wherever I go. There is one word for this song: beautiful.
  • Aaron from Plainview, Txthis is one of my favorite paul mccartney songs, and it comes from one of the best post-beatle albums- RAM! I love the high note he hits close to the end of the song, hes just incredible, fantastic!
  • Christy from Palm Springs, CaThis song IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Especially all of the ooooooooo's!!! I can't even describe this song I just love it too much. It makes me daydream. One day when I get a boyfriend or husband or whatever I am going to make him take me on a drive and we will sing this song!!!!!
  • Frank from Cherry Creek, Nythis song and ram album was one of the best he ever made
  • Ken from Louisville, KyThis was released as a single worldwide, except for North America. In North America, the single released was "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey".
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