UAWIL #157: Band on the Run at 50

Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, one assumed that Paul McCartney was always universally loved because of his work in The Beatles, his 70s solo work and that with Wings, and his positive peace & love attitude. However, in 1973 Paul found himself in a bit of turmoil. Though he'd enjoyed some success as a solo artist, particularly in the US, Paul was being criticized for the adult contemporary nature of his music vs. the output of the other Beatles and the harder rocking music of the day. He was skewered in the British press after he released Leave Ireland to the Irish on the heels of Bloody Sunday in 1972 and had lost several members of Wings over being treated as hired hands and the presence of Linda in the band despite her lack of musical ability.

However, Paul forged ahead with Linda and Denny Laine to create Band on the Run, released on December 5, 1973 in the US (November 30, 1973 in the UK). The title track is one of redemption and freedom inspired by George Harrison during their ongoing Apple Corps meetings and negotiations. Jet is an upbeat song that climbed the charts around the world despite it being about his dog and getting to know Linda's father. Songs like Bluebird, Mrs. Vanderbilt, Let Me Roll It and Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five became AM and classic rock radio staples in the US where the album not only went to #1 but sold more than 3 million copies. As the album that gave Paul back his credibility with the critics and allowed Paul and Wings to continue through the end of the 70s turns 50, we give it our classic track by track treatment.

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