Paul McCartney, "Press to Play" (1986) Part 2

Paul McCartney, "Press to Play" (1986) Part 2

August 22, 2026 · 1h 7m · Season 7 · Episode 337

About this episode

Tony and T.J. discuss Paul McCartney's album 'Press to Play' and its cultural references with humor and insight.

“Oklahoma was never like this?” Really, Sir Paul? AGAIN with the complaining about the 1999, Hugh Jackman-led revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first banger? Oh sure, Paul - go ahead and be all Tipper Gore-y about that opening scene where Aunt Eller is churning butter like some barnyard horndog, milking every delicate inch of that up and down churn work. And don’t get me started on how Paul handled the edits to the “Farmer & The Cowman” dance break! He (allegedly) threw the London Cast Recording CD at Heather Mills!! That's a $17.99 CD, my guy! Who the hell knows what Macca was talking about in his 1986 semi-hit, “Press”. But we’ll be damned if it isn’t one of the best pure pop songs of the mid 80’s. Much like the album from which it came, it’s never gotten the love it’s so obviously due. Until now, as Tony & T.J. freshly (?) assess side two of “Press To Play” with open arms (#Journey) and open eyes (#Incubus). Along the way, they ask (rather intuitively, if we do say so ourselves): 🧵 Is Press To Play the “Designing Women” of McCartney’s catalog, and does that make Eddie Rayner Meshach Taylor? 🚢 Has anyone checked on El Debarge (“The Debarge”, en ingles)? Like…

People in this episode

Hosts: Tony, T.J.

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rodgers & Hammerstein

Products: London Cast Recording CD

Books & works: Press to Play, Designing Women, Farmer & The Cowman

Places: Chicago, Dominicks, Oklahoma

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