Heart of the Country

"Heart of the Country"
Single by Paul and Linda McCartney
from the album Ram
A-side	"The Back Seat of My Car"
Released	13 August 1971
Format	7"
Recorded	16 November 1970
Genre	Folk rock, country folk
Length	2:21
Label	Apple
Writer(s)	Paul and Linda McCartney
Producer(s)	Paul and Linda McCartney
Paul and Linda McCartney singles chronology
"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" (1971) "The Back Seat of My Car" (1971) "Eat at Home" (1971)
Ram track listing 12 tracks Side one "Too Many People" "3 Legs" "Ram On" "Dear Boy" "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" "Smile Away" Side two "Heart of the Country" "Monkberry Moon Delight" "Eat at Home" "Long Haired Lady" "Ram On" "The Back Seat of My Car"

"Heart of the Country" is a song written by Paul and Linda McCartney from their album Ram released in 1971.

Origins

The song has simple acoustic tune with a heavy bass chorus, and an unusually mellow sound to the acoustic guitar that was achieved by tuning all of the strings a full step lower than standard pitch. The song is about a man searching for a farm in the middle of nowhere. The song reflects Paul's heading for the Scottish countryside to escape the headaches associated with the Beatles' breakup at the time.

Reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic described the song as "an effortless folk-pop tune that ranks among [McCartney's] very best songs." Erlewine also praises its "imaginative and gorgeous arrangement." In 2013, Rolling Stone Magazine rated "Heart of the Country" to be Paul McCartney's #26 all-time post-Beatles song.

Aftermath

McCartney and Elvis Costello re-recorded the song in 2013 for a commercial featuring his late wife Linda's vegetarian recipe book.