UK album release: Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney

Ram, the only album credited to Paul and Linda McCartney, was released in the United Kingdom on 21 May 1971, four days after its US release.

The album initially received a mixed critical reception – reviews in Rolling Stone and Playboy were particularly hostile. It was also given lukewarm appraisals by Paul McCartney’s fellow former Beatles.

It was, however, a commercial success, and topped the charts in the UK. Ram peaked at number two in the US, held off by Carole King’s Tapestry, although it spent five months in the top 10 and was certified platinum.

In the UK the song ‘The Back Seat Of My Car’ was released as a single in August 1971, but only reached number 39 in the charts. The US single ‘Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey’ proved more successful, becoming McCartney’s first post-Beatles number one single.

‘Eat At Home’ was issued in several countries, among them Norway, Japan, Germany and Ireland, with ‘Smile Away’ on the b-side. It was a moderate hit but failed to top any charts.