Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
| "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Too Many People" |
"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" is a song by Paul and Linda McCartney on the album Ram. It hit #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in August 1971.[1] The song is probably the most ambitious and experimental track on Ram, and is less a song and more a collection of melodic fragments pieced together, in a similar way to the song-cycle on the second half of The Beatles' Abbey Road. Paul McCartney won the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists in 1972 for the song.
The song is noted for its sound effects, including the sound of thunder, lightning, and rain, heard between the first and second verse, the sound of a telephone dialing, and a message machine, heard after the second verse, and a sound of chirping sea birds and wind by the seashore. Linda's voice is heard in the harmonies as well as the bridge section of the "Admiral Halsey" portion of the song.
The melody and lyrics are upbeat and nonsensical (Albert was an uncle of McCartney's). It is unclear, however, which of two "Admiral Halseys" he refers to. American listeners will probably think of Admiral William "Bull" Halsey of World War II fame while British listeners may think of Admiral Lionel Halsey who had a notable career with the Royal Navy. However, it seems clear that "Uncle Albert" must refer to german WWII General Albert Kesselringer, who whas given this name by hist troops. At any rate, the sophisticated arrangement, production, sound effects, and vocal treatments strongly recall The Beatles during their psychedelic phase.
Song uses
- The song was used in the episode He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle of the British sitcom Only Fools And Horses, where the character of Uncle Albert leaves home.
- Harry Shearer uses a looped sample of "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" for the "Apologies of the Week" segment of Le Show, with emphasis on McCartney saying "sorry".
- In her song "Edit", Regina Spektor refers to Doctor Robert and Uncle Albert.
Notes
- ^ Thomas Ryan, American Hit Radio, Prima Entertainment, 1996. "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
External links
Paul McCartney singles discography | |
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