Recorded - November 6, 1970 - January 1971
Released - May 17, 1971 (Album), August 2, 1971 (US-only single)
#1 for week of September 4, 1971.
After the Beatles split up in April of 1970, Paul McCartney entered a deep and dark depression. When you take into account the fact that he was losing his closest friends of the last decade, losing the band that had made him famous, and losing the respect of those who assumed he was solely responsible for the split, it would have been hard for Paul not to feel at least a little down.
While he was decamped in his Scottish farm, with Linda and their kids, Paul began writing and demoing new material. By October of 1970, he had amassed enough songs to begin work on a second solo album, and his first since leaving the Beatles. Paul and his family temporarily moved to New York to begin sessions for what would become Ram.
If you read any of the early reviews of the Ram album, many critics went right to the jugular and criticized every little thing about the record. Even the three other Beatles were unusually harsh with their criticisms. Perhaps this was due to the lengthy court case that Paul held to legally break up The Beatles. When you read stories about the other three Beatles going as far as to throwing a brick through Paul's London home during this time period, it's easy to assume that Paul wasn't exactly well-liked by many during 1971.
However, go read the reviews of the recently re-released box-set version of Ram. The critics absolutely praise the album, and for good reason, it is one of the most underrated and diverse-sounding solo Beatle albums. One song from the album, "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" was released as a single in the US only. With an ex-Beatle listed as the co-writer of the song, a #1 chart position was practically a given. But is this really a deserved chart topper? Let's find out...
Although "U.A/A.H" is listed as a two part song, it is actually comprised of several song segments all blending into one. Sound familiar? It should as this is exactly what the side 2 medley of Abbey Road is. "Uncle Albert" has a mild psychedelic undertone to it, not unlike Paul's complex Sgt. Pepper productions. Finally, the use of flugelhorn and the nautical theme are a throwback to "Yellow Submarine". Thus, "U.A/A.H" is Paul's last psychedelic stand.
One thing that is undeniable about "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" is that it is quirky with a capital "Q". Much of the record has a very non-serious and often whimsical quality to it. In fact, this is what some who hate the record have used as their argument for why they dislike it. But it would be a crime to simply dismiss this record as a novelty track. No, there's much more to ol' Uncle Albert...
The "Uncle Albert" section of the song has a much more melancholic feel than the second half of the piece. This is enforced by several natural and unnatural sound effects. There is a thunderstorm, as well as Paul imitating a ringing telephone. An extremely deep bodied string and brass section brings the lonely feeling of the song to the surface. The vocal blend of Paul and Linda works really well, and I've always been baffled by critics who were unjustly harsh on her vocals for the album.
All of this somberness is blown away by the "Admiral Halsey" section. We have bright instrumentation, powerful octave guitar parts, and some flugelhorn thrown in for an extra nautical feel. There are also numerous singalong segments, from the "Heads across the water" choruses, to the saloon piano "Live a little" bridges. This isn't a simple novelty song, this is a complex suite that only a Beatle could do perfect justice.
Lyrically, the song is entirely up to your own interpretation, and there are several theories floating around in books and the internet. As for me, I assumed "Uncle Albert" to be a metaphor for the other three Beatles. The extremely sad sounding first half and the heavy thunderstorm? This is Paul's depression and anxiety at bitterly leaving his Beatle brothers. The "Admiral Halsey" section is him getting up reluctantly, to carry the torch and continue this trail via the "Rough Seas" of a solo career.
Regardless of the success or failure of "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey", Paul yearned to be in a true band again. So during the summer, he, Linda, Denny Laine, and Ram drummer Denny Seiwell formed Wings. How well this band holds up to the Beatles is up to your own opinion. Either way, Wings had several #1's over the 1970's that you can be sure I'll cover when they fly my way.
Final Verdict - "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" is one of Paul's more complex numbers. It is a perfect blend of heavy production and carefree whimsical singalongs. If you've never been a fan of this song, I'd highly recommend examining it like I did, with an open mind. Due to the sheer fact that this song sounds like nothing else released in 1971, I'd consider its chart topping status to be well-deserved.
Coming Up Next - "Go Away Little Girl" by Donny Osmond.
Until Next Time, I'm Dr. Rock and I'm so sorry...uncle Albert -
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