Band on the Run
paul mccarntey and wings Lyrics


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Stuck inside these four walls
Sent inside forever
Never seeing no one
Nice again like you
Mama you, mama you

If I ever get out of her,
Thought of giving it all away
To a registered charity.
All I need is a pint a day
If I ever get outta here
If we ever get outta of here

Well, the rain exploded with a mighty crash
As we fell into the sun
And the first one said to the second one there
I hope you're having fun

Band on the run, band on the run
And the jailer man and sailor Sam
Were searching every one
For the band on the run
Band on the run
Band on the run
Band on the run

Well, the undertaker drew a heavy sigh
Seeing no one else had come
And a bell was ringing in the village square
For the rabbits on the run

Band on the run
Band on the run
And the jailer man and sailor Sam
Were searching every one
For the band on the run
Band on the run

Yeah the band on the run
Band on the run
Band on the run
Band on the run

Well, the night was falling as the desert world
Began to settle down.
In the town they're searching for us everywhere
But we never will be found

Band on the run
Band on the run
And the county judge who held a grudge
Will search for evermore
For the band on the run
Band on the run




Band on the run
Band on the run

Overall Meaning

"Band on the Run" is a classic rock song by Paul McCartney and Wings, released in 1973. The lyrics open with the singer expressing his frustration and desperation of being stuck inside four walls, feeling trapped and isolated from the outside world. The repetition of "Mama you, mama you" can be interpreted as a cry for help or a yearning for maternal comfort. The singer daydreams about getting out of there and giving away everything he owns to charity, except for his daily pint of alcohol, which is a clear indication of his addiction.


The second verse describes an explosive and chaotic scene, where the rain and sun collide, and the band escapes from prison, while being chased by the authorities. The chorus repeats the phrase "Band on the run" multiple times, emphasizing the intensity of the situation, while the jailer man and sailor Sam are on their tail. The third and final verse shifts to a quieter tone, where the undertaker mourns the loss of the rabbits on the run, and the band continues to evade capture, as the nightfall sets in.


The lyrics of "Band on the Run" have been interpreted in many ways, some suggest it is a commentary on McCartney's legal troubles during the early 70s when he was fighting against his former Beatles bandmates over the ownership of their music. Others believe it was influenced by the 'Count of Monte Cristo', where the singer escapes from prison and seeks revenge on those who wronged him. Still, others read it as an allegory of McCartney's transition from The Beatles to Wings, and his pursuit of creative freedom and independence.


Line by Line Meaning

Stuck inside these four walls
I am trapped in a place where my freedom is limited


Sent inside forever
I am stuck in this place for an undetermined amount of time


Never seeing no one
I am completely isolated from the outside world and have no one to talk to


Nice again like you
I long for the company of someone who is pleasant to be around like you


Mama you, mama you
I am seeking comfort from a maternal figure


If I ever get out of here,
If I am finally released from this confinement,


Thought of giving it all away
I am considering donating all of my possessions


To a registered charity.
I would like to give my belongings to a legitimate organization that helps others


All I need is a pint a day
I would be content with a small amount of alcohol each day


Well, the rain exploded with a mighty crash
The weather suddenly became intense and violent


As we fell into the sun
It felt like we were descending into a bright, warm light


And the first one said to the second one there
One person in our group began a conversation with another


I hope you're having fun
I genuinely hope that you are enjoying this experience


Band on the run, band on the run
Our band is constantly fleeing from some kind of danger or confinement


And the jailer man and sailor Sam
The people pursuing us include both those who work in law enforcement and those who work on ships


Were searching every one
They were carefully looking for us in every possible location


For the band on the run
They were searching for us specifically because we are a group that is constantly on the move


Well, the undertaker drew a heavy sigh
The person responsible for handling the dead expressed disappointment


Seeing no one else had come
No one else had arrived to join us in our escape


And a bell was ringing in the village square
A nearby bell was making a loud noise that could be heard by everyone


For the rabbits on the run
The bell was meant to alert people about rabbits that were trying to escape


Yeah the band on the run
We are still trying to evade those who are chasing us


Well, the night was falling as the desert world
The sun was setting in a place that felt barren and empty


Began to settle down.
Things started to become calmer after a period of chaos


In the town they're searching for us everywhere
People in the nearby town are actively looking for us in all locations


But we never will be found
We are determined to continue to stay hidden and avoid capture


And the county judge who held a grudge
A local judge who had a personal issue with us


Will search for evermore
Will continue to look for us indefinitely


For the band on the run
Because we are constantly moving, we continue to be a target for those who want to find us




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LINDA MCCARTNEY, PAUL MCCARTNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Hermanoel

00:02 Band On The Run
05:15 Jet
9:23 Bluebird
12:48 Mrs. Vandebilt
17:30 Let Me Roll It
22:20 Mamunia
27:10 No Words
29:48 Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)
35:40 Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five
40:51 Band On The Run Reprise
41:06 End.



All comments from YouTube:

@minicrownedmelanatedqueen

Who’s listening in 2023! 😍 Arrangement, vocals of this era is classic!

@jaydemo5792

Who's listening in March of 2023 ? This is the PERFECT example of TIMELESS.....

@SuperBullyone

I bought the Band on the Run cassette the day it hit the shops in the mall.. I Skipped college classes and began driving around town in my VW bus. I ended up at my dads house about 9 am, just in time to race him to the hospital in my bus. About 20 years later when my dad was dying, I had a new VW micro-bus camper, I rushed him to the hospital in my bus. This album by chance was in the cassette player again. I don't know if it means anything, just two pivotal days in my life. I listened to this album during his funeral a few days later. 49 years later it remains one of my favorite albums.

@darlenemc3586

I call this the magic of life. I don't know what it means either, but it's an amazing story. God Bless

@d.harrison1570

Its 2023 and this album is 50 years old. It still sounds amazing. We are alive at the same time as one of the greatest musicians ever!

@Broomehall

As I stand here tonight in my top floor apartment looking out over the view as a 64 year old man having a party for friends of old, a cheer the likes of which I haven't heard in years goes up as I put this album on ...... we are all transported back in time to the summer of 73 when as 14 and 15 yr olds we were just starting down the road of life, love, and friendships .....what a journey it's been, "In loving memory of Steve Tucker" ....... Marko .....Jan 2023.

@thetenthdoctor1000

@@Broomehall Chin up! the journey is far from being over, there's room to make plenty of new memories ;)

@Hanzey1966

I did grow up on this , my Mum being a Big Beatles Fan . The four Heads as a Poster in the White Album was the first thing You did see when coming in the Front door, as they were on the wall in the hallway. Made a hughe impression on Me as a Kid . Always Beatles and later Wings music played by Mum, and Dad being a Slade and Deep Purple fan , it was a nice and warm Rock&Roll Home . Then I discovered AC/DC myself as a 13 Year Young Kid . And got into the Hardrock scene ...so in a way you can say I did hang on to Dads side . . . But when somewaht older I begun to ,,Understand,, the Beatles . The passing of Bon Scott and John Lennon in 1980 played kinda role into that . To long a story to tell here . Now way into my 50s I do listen quite a lot Beatles music.

@stephanietadic2051

Paul is my lifelong love! ❤️

@lisaparsons4124

Yes I agree I remember in 1973, I was 7,Paul McCartney a awesome singer and song writer

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