Press (song)

"Press" is a song by Paul McCartney. It was released as the lead single from his sixth studio solo album, Press to Play, being McCartney's 37th single. The single features the non-album track, "It's Not True" as its B-side, which was later included as a bonus track on the CD reissue of the Press to Play album.

For the Cardi B song, see Press (Cardi B song).
"Press"
single cover
Single by Paul McCartney
from the album Press to Play
B-side
  • "It's Not True"
  • "Hanglide" (12" only)
Released14 July 1986
RecordedApril–May 1985 at McCartney's Sussex studios
GenreSynth-pop
Length4:43
LabelParlophone/EMI
Songwriter(s)Paul McCartney
Producer(s)
Paul McCartney singles chronology
"Spies Like Us"
(1985)		 "Press"
(1986)		 "Pretty Little Head"
(1986)

Background

Though hitting the Top 30 in both the US (number 21, spending 8 weeks in the top 40)[1])[2] and the UK (#25),[3] "Press" marked the beginning of a downturn of McCartney's fortunes on the singles charts, as it was the first time since Back to the Egg in 1979 that a lead single from a McCartney album failed to hit the Top 20 in the US/UK. This may have been because "Press" did not fit neatly into album-oriented rock or adult-contemporary radio formats popular at the time.

Release

Various issues in the UK include two 7" singles ("Press" and "Press-video edit"), a 10" single in a special fold-out sleeve and two 12" singles.

Promotional video
Female fan kissing McCartney.

The 1986 music video for Press was shot entirely in the London Underground. Paul McCartney sings the song as he takes the Tube from South Kensington to Piccadilly Circus. As he takes the escalator to the platform and boards a Tube train, he begins singing the track. The video continues with scenes from around the Underground. These include shots of various commuters and buskers, featuring an accordionist and a violinist. McCartney interacts with members of the general public aboard the train and in the station, signing autographs, accepting a kiss from a female fan and leaving a tip for the violinist. In the final shot, he is seen riding the escalator up out of the Underground.

Critical reception

Writing for AllMusic, critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated that the track "is a terrific mid-'80s drum machine-driven slice of synth-pop, utterly featherweight in the best possible way."[4] and writing for Los Angeles Times, critic Terry Atkinson stated that the track "is a sprightly, sunny delight--one of the most playful, positive pop songs ever written about the joy of sex and its link with love."[5]

Track listings

All songs written by Paul McCartney except where noted

7" single (UK Only)
  1. "Press" – 4:20
    • Mixed by Hugh Padgham
    • Actual running length is 3:55; other than the earlier fade, this mix is identical to the 10" single
  2. "It's Not True" – 4:31
7" single (R 6133)
  1. "Press" (Video Edit) – 3:35
  2. "It's Not True" – 4:31
12" single (12R 6133)
  1. "Press" (Video Soundtrack) – 4:43
    • Mixed by Hugh Padgham
  2. "It's Not True" (Remix) – 5:50
  3. "Hanglide" (McCartney / Eric Stewart) – 5:18
  4. "Press" (Dub Mix) – 6:30
    • Remix by Bert Bevans and Steve Forward
10" single (10R 6133)
  1. "Press" – 4:20
    • Mixed by Hugh Padgham
  2. "It's Not True" (Remix) – 5:50
  3. "Press" (Video Edit) – 3:35
    • Mixed by Bert Bevans and Steve Forward

Sales chart performance
Chart (1986) Position
Belgium Ultratop 17
UK Singles Chart 25
American Billboard Hot 100 21
Polish Music Charts 34
Canadian RPM 43
German Media Control Charts 53
Australian ARIA Charts 47
Federation of the Italian Music Industry 90

References
  1. http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/paul%20mccartney/
  2. "Paul McCartney > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
  3. "Official Charts: Paul McCartney". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  4. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Paul McCartney – Press to Play". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  5. Atkinson, Terry (1986-08-31). "Paul: Signs Of Hope Before The Letdown". Los Angeles Times.
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