Band on the Run Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Digi-G 

Cover art for Band on the Run lyrics by Paul McCartney

This song consists of 4 different parts - confinement, desperation, escape and running.

Confinement = stuck inside these 4 walls. desperation = if I ever get out of here escape = well, the rain exploded running = band on the run

The confinement part is very subdued, as if he's given up - it's reflective too. The heart starts beating faster when he's thinking about escaping and the desperation of his situation. Crash!!! The Breakout - the release - you can almost 'feel' the freedom. All that's left is to RUN! For ever more.

Paul said it was intentionally written to have several meanings - could be jail cell or trapped in life.

@Digi-G "Sent inside forever". Sounds like he's saying life is a prison for him or could be.

Second verse, sort of wishing he wasn't the famous ex-Beatle.

"Well, the rain exploded with a mighty crash As we fell into the sun"

Rain as in a life in misery, the 'sun' could be heroin as that's a slang name for it.

"And the first one said to the second one there I hope you're having fun"

Hoping they're enjoying the drugs.

"And the jailer man and sailor Sam Were searching every one"

...

@Digi-G - Hate to break it to you - but it is a dig at Charles Manson. He was 'possessed' by the Beatles until he did their will, then taunted by them ('boy, you're going to carry that weight a long time', etc.)