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.

Background

Though hitting the Top 30 in both the US ) and the UK, "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, a 10" single in a special fold-out sleeve and two 12" singles.

Promotional video

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." 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."

Track listings

All songs written by Paul McCartney except where noted
;7" single
  1. "Press" – 4:20
  2. * Mixed by Hugh Padgham
  3. * Actual running length is 3:55; other than the earlier fade, this mix is identical to the 10" single
  4. "It's Not True" – 4:31
;7" single
  1. "Press" – 3:35
  2. * Mixed by Bert Bevans and Steve Forward
  3. "It's Not True" – 4:31
;12" single
  1. "Press" – 4:43
  2. * Mixed by Hugh Padgham
  3. "It's Not True" – 5:50
  4. * Remix by Julian Mendelsohn
  5. "Hanglide" – 5:18
  6. "Press" – 6:30
  7. * Remix by Bert Bevans and Steve Forward
;10" single
  1. "Press" – 4:20
  2. * Mixed by Hugh Padgham
  3. "It's Not True" – 5:50
  4. * Remix by Julian Mendelsohn
  5. "Press" – 3:35
  6. * Mixed by Bert Bevans and Steve Forward

    Sales chart performance