I grabbed your attention with the title, didn’t I? Sorry to disappoint (both of us) but I’ve never met Sir Paul and yet…like zillions of other fans, it’s never diminished my adoration. My 12-year-old self knew an anthem when she heard one.
The Paul McCartney and Wings Album, “Band on the Run” debuted in December 1973 and unbeknownst to me, in just six short months, our vagabond family would be on the move again (a band on the run?) leaving the only home I’d felt safe and secure in. I built life-long friendships during the few years we lived in Columbus, Ohio, which felt glorious, considering we moved frequently – every couple of years. In Columbus I felt secure. Normal.
Looking back, I see how my bestie, Colleen, made it so. She lived next door, and her love of my sister, Lisa, was a gift. That, and Colleen had a knack for reminding me that mom (Sue) had shiny, glistening moments amidst the madness.
For months, Band on the Run was the only LP I wanted to listen to. It was simultaneously moody and uplifting and it suited me. I share a melancholy memory in “Surviving Sue” when BOTR – the single – was played on repeat:
I still have mementos from my friends in Columbus – photos, going-away party gifts, autographed pillows with goodbye messages on them. And lots of musical memories. I can transport myself to the early 70’s when I hear music from that era. Closing my eyes, I picture my friend Debbie’s backyard – the clothesline used to hang signs, streamers, and balloons that and “Good luck, Vicki” and “We’ll miss you.” In the background, the Paul McCartney & Wings song Band on the Run played on repeat. One line in the lyric was especially painful at the time – and it still creates a melancholy cloud for me today when I hear it: “Stuck inside these four walls… sent inside forever… never seeing no one… nice, again.” Yep. I thought it was the end of days.
“Surviving Sue”, p. 32
Fifty years? Fifty years since the album debuted? I don’t feel old because music is the equivalent of time travel but when a factoid like 50 years comes hurling at me, even I pause. Sure, I’ve got some new aches and pains that come with aging, but when I learned about the BOTR anniversary, I felt nothing but buoyancy and joy.
To celebrate this landmark birthday, a 50th Anniversary Edition of Band on the Run will arrive in record stores and online on February 2! This special edition includes an ‘underdubbed’ version of the album, a termed newly coined by Paul, which describes these previously unheard mixes. In Paul’s own words: “You’re going to hear Band on the Run in a way you’ve never heard before.”
Underdubbed. What a word.
PaulMcCartney.com: As part of the 50th Anniversary edition, an album of ‘underdubbed’ Band on the Run mixes will be released. Can you explain what ‘underdubbed’ means? Where does that term come from?
Paul: Well, you always talk about the ‘overdubs’ when you’re making a song. When you put an extra guitar on over the top of what you’ve recorded, for example, that’s an overdub. So, we thought that these versions sounded like ‘underdubs’, as they are heard without those overdubs on top.
Paul McCartney | News | You Gave Me the Answer – Celebrating 50 Years of ‘Band on the Run’
I’m not a musician and have no talents in that arena but I’m a fan of artistry and creativity. Our blogging colleague, Todd Fulginiti never ceases to amaze me with his wide-ranging musical gifts. I suspect the rest of the world knows what ‘dubbing’ is, but I’d never considered what an ‘underdubbed’ track might sound like. Stripped down. Original – unfiltered. No enhancements. I can’t wait to hear what the anniversary version of BOTR sounds like when the album’s released next week.
Until time travel is actually possible (physicists everywhere – get on that, would you?) I’m going to continue cherishing musical interludes that transport me. And if ‘underdubbing’ works in music, maybe I can apply the same principle to living more simply, with less environmental impact, more love and grace for the planet and all who inhabit it. Less? It might be more.
Vicki 🥰
Victoria Ponders 
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