Ram On

Album: Ram (1971)
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Songfacts®:

  • This is a sort of "jingle" tune written by McCartney on his ukulele. In the late '60s and early '70s, Paul used to carry along this instrument everywhere when he was wandering around New York City.
  • The song is about being straightforward, courageous and strong.
  • The words "Ram" and "On" form the name "Ramon," which was one of Paul's pseudonyms when he was in The Beatles.
  • The ram is also the name of the animal chosen as the title track of the album, which meant for Paul to ram against the things that were making him depressed at the times of the Beatles breakup. Plus, it refers to the sheep and rams he had at his Scottish farm in the Mull of Kintyre. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Claudio - São Paulo, Brazil, for all above
  • James Righton of The Klaxons selected this as the first track to be played at the wedding reception when he married actress Keira Knightly.
  • In 2021, two of the musicians who played on the Ram album - David Spinozza (guitar) and Denny Seiwell (drums) - played on a 50th anniversary tribute to the album called Ram On, with contributions from longtime Elton John guitarist Davey Johnstone and many others. The song "Ram On" features Pat Sansone of Wilco.

Comments: 15

  • AnonymousI use to hitch hike out to my Dad's place in Orillia 1971. If it weren't for this album I think I'd have lost my mind living out there in the middle of nowhere. It was my favorite until he recorded Band On The Run, but here I am today still listening to it. (August 1st 2021) LUV' It! Quite possibly Anthony didn't grow up in our era or on the other hand he's just a hate tank.. To each his own I suppose. My first concert I was 10 when I saw The Beatles on Labor Day 1964 here in Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens. They changed the History of Music Forever! Brilliant each and every one of them!
  • Karen from Manchester, NhI've loved the album "Ram" since day one - the whole album is great. My 6-year-old daughter recently discovered Sir Paul and is a fan now, too.
  • Harold from San Bernadino, CaA great little tune----i think it conveys that, shall i say, melancholy time right after the Beatles split-up. the lyric is simple yet thought-provoking.
  • Dante from Hudson Falls, NyPaul Mac does not suck. He happens to be one of the most innovative bass players of all time. He also played drums on 'Birthday", "The Ballad of John and Yoko", and other Beatle tunes. He can do it all. "Ram On" isn't a monster hit but as Adelaide said, it's simple and beautiful.
  • Christy from Palm Springs, CaThis song is beautiful and I love it. Another one of those "hidden treasure" songs.
  • Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaThis song is beautiful, its so simple and pretty and it gives me tingleys when I hear it. beautiful man *sigh*
  • Ian from Lethbridge, CanadaHow could you say this song is about nothing? He's saying "Ram On (Ramon), give your heart to somebody", saying that he should move on with his life and with Linda, his newly-found love. I thought he said it in a very clever way. This is a very beautiful song, and it sucks that people always seem to want more from him, rather than judging him on what he actually is.
  • Alisa from Franklin, Withis song is good. i don't know why people don't like it.
  • Rob from Vancouver, CanadaAnthony sucks and so does his commentary.
  • Anthony from Lodi, NjPaul sucks and so does this song. He writes about nothing as John Lennon writes lyrics that actually means something. John later made fun of this song and album in the revengeful song "How Do You Sleep?".
  • Barry from New York, NyFeatures some tasty electric piano.
  • Greg from Victoria, CanadaLove Paul but that one is just plain bad.
  • Dennis from Chicagoland Burrows, IlI love Paul and beautiful Linda!
  • Claudio from São Paulo, BrazilPaul and Linda sang the tune while shooting Hope of Deliverance video in 1993 in England. Paul strummed the banjo instead of the ukelele this time.
    Claudio Dirani
  • Claudio from São Paulo, BrazilJust would like to add that Dixon Van Winkle was the engineer who taped the song at the Studio 2 at Columbia Studios, New York.
    He miked Paul's voice, ukelele and feet. The percussion beat youi listen on the track are Paul's feet work.
    Claudio Dirani (the one who contributed above) :-)
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