"Press to Play" is indeed Paul McCartney's sixth solo studio album, released on August 25, 1986. This album marked McCartney's return to releasing new music after the 1983 album Pipes of Peace and was his first album issued internationally by EMI, following a six-year period with Columbia Records in the US and Canada.
To revitalize his sound after the mixed reception of his 1984 musical film Give My Regards to Broad Street, McCartney enlisted producer Hugh Padgham, known for his work with artists like Phil Collins and The Police, to give the album a contemporary edge.
Upon its release, Press to Play received a mixed critical response and did not perform as well commercially as McCartney's previous works. It was his poorest-selling studio album up to that point. In the UK, it peaked at number 8 on the Albums Chart and achieved gold status from the BPI in September 1986. In the US, however, it did not reach the top 20.
The album produced four singles: "Press," "Pretty Little Head," "Stranglehold," and "Only Love Remains." "Press," the lead single, was a minor hit, reaching number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for "Press" featured McCartney navigating London's Bond Street and Charing Cross tube stations, interacting with the public, and catching a tube train, reflecting a playful and accessible approach.
