Press to Play's two highlights were released as singles, although surprisingly did not chart very high. This is a mystery, as both songs exemplify McCartney's gifts as a pop songwriter and performer. The first, "Press," contains a chugging beat and an enthusiastic rock vocal. "When you want me to love you/Just tell me to press!" he exclaims, "Oklahoma was never like this." Again, the song's meaning remains vague, but the beat, hot guitar riffs, and McCartney's slightly raspy vocals add to the tune's appeal. In my opinion, the video for this song is one of McCartney's best, simply showing him riding the tube and interacting with delighted passengers.
From his time with the Beatles to his solo career, McCartney has demonstrated that he is a superior ballad craftsman. Nowhere is this more evident than on "Only Love Remains," a gorgeous slow number with the singer/songwriter doing what he does best: sitting at the piano and singing simple lyrics straight from the heart. "I want you back again and again/Till the word has lost its meaning," he croons, bringing "a happy ending to our song." With his usual skill, McCartney's words beautifully imagine "when all our friends have gone and we're alone/There's nothing left to shout about/...Let tonight be the one we remember." This is a mature, deep love he is examining—after all the noise of life "love is all that stays/Only love remains." Unlike many other Press to Play tracks, "Only Love Remains" boasts a spare arrangement, giving it a timeless quality. While the song found a home on adult contemporary radio, it inexplicably never became a huge hit.
Yes, Press to Play contains synthesizers and electronic drums, two staples of '80s music. And yes, these elements date some of the songs. But as with many McCartney albums, some hidden treasures lie amongst the track list. In addition, he should be acknowledged for taking risks and trying to expand his repertoire. Press to Play, along with McCartney II, arguably laid the foundation for his future musical experiments under the name The Fireman (particularly the first two albums, Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest and Rushes). Hopefully McCartney will someday authorize the album to be released on iTunes and other online music stores so listeners can discover the avant garde side of the rock legend.
"The Cutout Bin" is going on vacation, but will return in late May with more hidden musical gems.
Article comments
1 - matt
I agree that Press to Play is adventurous and underrated, but it is has some flaws as well. The single "Press to Play" was pretty lightweight, with odd sound effects added in a desperate effort to sound current. I'm not surprised it wasn't a hit. The electronic drums and synths sound dated, and a few of the songs fall flat. On the plus side, "Angry" is a great punk-ish rocker, some of the ballads are gorgeous, and tracks like "Stranglehold" are a lot of fun. All in all, a pretty good album that paved the way for McCartney's creative resurgence with Flowers in the Dirt.
2 - Karen Stoessel
Oh Kit...thank you for reminding me of yet another filed away CD that I used to love. I LOVE PRESS and seeing the video again...OMG, it just made me smile and I wanted to watch it for a 2nd time before I finished watching it the 1st. OK, who but a Paul fan would say that right? Thanks Kit...your Paulgirl girlfriend!
3 - matt j
Just a correction: "Press To Play" peaked at number 30 on the Billboard album charts.
4 - Kit O'Toole
Thanks for commenting!
@ Karen: Yes, isn't it a great video?
@ Matt: Yes, the album does have its flaws, but as you pointed out, it didn't deserve the critical lambasting it got when it was first released. And I got that chart figure from All Music.
5 - Barry
Press to Play was on iTunes. At lot of McCartney's catalog seems to be missing. It seems that only the music Concord (his new label) has released is on there. All the old EMI stuff is gone. But no worries, Concord is re-issuing McCartney's entire catalog soon, starting with Band on the Run.
6 - Kit O'Toole
Barry, I have heard about Concord reissuing the entire catalog (the news came out just as this article was published), and I can't wait! I've heard that some outtakes and extra bonus tracks may be included, which would be fantastic.
7 - BeatleLarry
Great entry. I am a self-professed McCartney and Beatle nutjob historian of sorts.
Press to play has always been my least favorite of his solo works. Sounded almost immediately dated when it came out. Weird non-sense lyrics. Weird noises.
Best song easily was Good Times/Sun. Production of this album was bad. For the same reason most of Phil Collins 80s stuff sounds dated as heck. Thanks Hugh! Video for Press was great and the song actually reached #7 in the U.S. briefly. Not a huge hit. But even Paul's worst was better than most anything else.
Thanks for the writeup! Try Paul's Wildife or London Town LPs for lost classic material.
8 - Bruce Beatlefan
Enjoyed your comments on Press to Play, which I think is a superb album and a precursor to the classic Flowers in the Dirt. In these two albums Paul has removed himself as far as possible from his Beatles/Wings foundation, before gradually returning back to roots, beginning with Off the Ground. In each album, he employs a strong collaborator (Eric Stewart for the one, Elvis Costello for the other), and in each album makes a strong effort to fully embrace 1980's musical values.
His lyrics are strikingly strong and personal in Press to Play. He makes his strongest response to the critical attacks of the past 15 years, both to himself ("Angry") and to Linda ("It's Not True"). He makes a brilliant and striking statement of feminism and how it has emasculated the male race in the song-pair "Pretty Little Head" followed by "Move Over Busker". "Footprints" is a moving story song that bestows nobility on loneliness and loss. Two tender songs seem to reveal a little unease in his and Linda's marriage ("Only Love Remains" and "Tough on a Tightrope") which seems completely resolved by the time of Flowers in the Dirt. A fascinating and unique album from Sir Paul, deserving of a much better perception.
9 - Kit O'Toole
Thanks for your comments--I'm glad you enjoyed the article.
10 - Sean
Great review. It's nice to see that some people like "Press To Play". I know I'm in the minority, but as a McCartney fanatic (I've got everything), this album remains my favorite. It reveals new layers with every listen and the soundscapes work best heard late at night. This isn't a typical McCartney album, that's for certain and I understand why so many people don't like it. However, most of those people that I've spoken to never actually concentrated on listening to it either. The hooks are present throughout "Press To Play" but not in the immediately accessible manner that the artist had perfected; there's just so much going on that I think it confuses listeners.
I could go on and on really but the bottom line for me is, Paul is often unfairly accused of playing it safe, but when he definitely veers off into experimentation and/or goes eclectic, the same people don't get it. At all. "Press To Play" and "McCartney II" are his most experimental albums and both are wildly innovative, and "Press To Play" may well be his greatest solo work (in my lonely opinion, of course). Listen again folks, there's a wealth of great music here.
11 - Brandon
Thanks for writing about this album (probably my least favorite, but maybe just least listened to). I've been making peace with Red Rose Speedway lately and thinking I just like it because it's Paul. I've listened to so much Macca I've brainwashed myself. Great Blog.
12 - Kit O'Toole
Thanks for commenting, Brandon! It's interesting how albums can grow on us over time, and vice versa. I used to love "Flowers in the Dirt"--while I still like it, it sounds a bit dated now. On the other hand, "Flaming Pie" for some reason didn't grab me at first listen, but now it's one of my favorite albums of Paul's.
13 - Lee
My favorite track from this era was the B-side "Flying To My Home". Kind of Paul McCartney's "Rocky Mountain Way".
14 - Lee
Whoops, that was from Flowers In The Dirt.
15 - Kalle
I enjoyed your review and thanks for the video! It's nice to know there are others out there who appreciate McCartne's more experimental stuff, though "Angry"'s not a favourite. "Pretty Little Head" never seazes to amaze and puzzle. Thankfully.
16 - gary dobbs
Press is, I think, one of the top five solo albums from Macca - I cant understand why so many people dont dig this - far better than the overrated flaming pie