Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey

I LOVE this song, brilliant! in every way!

The song is great. I have no clue what it means. Thats why I came here. Good melody, the lyrics are just great because it makes no sense. Taking a shot in the dark, but maybe his Uncle wasn't happy he joined the navy, but he thought it would be a good thing for him. Navy guys get stationed around like gypsies. idk. Still makes no sense. Oh well, lets dance.

I remember reading an article (possibly in Uncut magazine) that said that Uncle Albert was a reference the iconic character Albert Tatlock from the British TV series Coronation Street. As I understand it, Tatlock (who was usually referred to as ‘Uncle Albert’ by the other characters) was a First World War veteran who extolled the merits of hard work, honesty and moral responsibility on the younger generation. With that in mind, I always thought this song was McCartney’s way of apologising to his parents’ and grandparents’ generations for the folly and empty rhetoric of his own, particularly silly stunts like the Lennon/Ono bed-in.

To me this song is about two dual personalities, one old school and the other new, and Paul is making some kind of social commentary on the changing times. I picture Uncle Albert sitting by the fireside telling boring war stories to a younger relative (Admiral Hasley notified me...etc). Albert conquered the seas during his prime (hands across the water) and perhaps he expects the same drive and ambition from modern youth. Modern youth however lacks this type of drive (sorry we haven't done a thing all day) but excels as PSYCHONAUTS! I'll probably be lambasted for making yet another drug connection in a Mccartney song, but you can't deny the meaning of "heads across the sky". This is the new battle and modern youth wants to conquer their minds and live a little while doing it. So I guess the ultimate meaning of this song is that some kid doesn't want to sit around listening to his Uncle, so he makes excuses (it may rain, or the kettles on)to go home and get high (get your feet up off the ground). See! It all makes perfect sense! Heads vs. Hands.

McCartney said "Uncle Albert" was based on his uncle. "He's someone I recall fondly, and when the song was coming it was like a nostalgia thing."[4] McCartney also said, "As for Admiral Halsey, he's one of yours, an American admiral", referring to Admiral William "Bull" Halsey.[4]

this song is crazy cuz its almost like 2 songs in one....in my opnion his best after the Bealtes...better than band on the run

Well they make sense in ways.

Like another Paul McCartney song, "Band on the Run", this is one of those songs within a song. I like how McCartney uses two totally different melodies and meshes them together in a way that works. Lyrically, this song seems to be all over the place, but it's a great song with one of the catchiest hooks ever written. This tune takes me back to the early 70s every time I listen to it. Definitely not McCartney's best song lyrically, but surely one of his best in terms of song structure and melody.

I remember the song when it came out on the radio (I was much much younger). Although the words made little sense, I truly enjoyed it, and really, I never get tired of hearing it. I too an very partial to the song-within-a-song style, like Band on the Run: it hearkens back the Beatles with songs like Carry That Weight/In The End.

these are the basics according to my father who was big into the Beatles...... Uncle Albert= Albert Einstein We're so sorry about nuclear war Admiral Halsey= military agression Be a gypsy get around= leave your homeland we're going to bomb you