Band On The Run

I liked the different vibes from the record ; and there's some bangers so it's a solid 4. Favorite songs: Band on the Run ; Picasso's Last Words

Je tak cítiť McCartneyho, niekdy až moc . Dobre sa to počúvalo ale perfektné to nebolo, nemá to má peak beatles

👌

Vilken press det måste varit, men vilken hög nivå han fortsatte hålla sig på! Otrolig skiva. Stark 4a!

Så jäkla trallvänliga melodier. Når inte heeela vägen upp

The band the Beatles could have been

groovy

Ha, o čem sm včeraj pisala? Prvi, "Band on the Run" je... Fine. "Jet" moram še enkrat poslušat... "Bluebird" mi je kul. Oook, končno komad k me od začetka pritegne ("Mrs. Vandebilt")!!! "Let Me Roll It" isto - od začetka hud (& vaguely familiar?). "No Words" je kul. Vse do konca albums mi je blo tud zelo všečno! (It has been quite a week, nimam dons v seb kj boljšga spisat.)

I'm not very familiar with The Beatles catalogue, but this album pleasently surprised me. It has some fun and unique guitar riffs, and cute lyrics. Nothing overly complicated, but it doesn't need to be. Favorites: Band On The Run, Bluebird, Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five

Sir Paul. You take the good with the bad, and there's plenty of both here.

My least favorite Beatle, but he as his most Paulesque here.

Was Fine ig Fuck off im sad

The earlier parts of the song Band On The Run are a lot better than I'd remembered. The overall album is alright but a bit forgettable. I'd give it 3.5. I'll round it up.

Paul's post Beatles catalogue is really quite good (all of theirs is). This is a great album and really proves he can craft a song.

album très chill et fun, j'adore Paul McCartney raaah

Fun and unmistakably Paul McCartney. 4/5

On one hand, it feels cheap because it's kind of like the Beatles part two. But on the other hand, Paul McCartney is a master of composing, and clearly he's found some skilled and like-minded guys to work with in this project. In a lot of ways, I enjoyed this album more than I do a lot of The Beatles songs. Beatles songs can be all over the place, depending on the time period, it could be very experimental, relatively straightforward, and of course it's always interesting, but the songs feel more focused in this album. It's Poppy, it's groovy, and I honestly prefer it to the Beatles in a lot of ways. You can tell that there are a lot of conflicting ideas within the Beatles by how much more continuity can be felt from their individual projects (I'm speaking from a limited sample size; I've only heard two wings albums, and one George Harrison album and almost no John Lennon music). But that's the vibe I get and I like this a lot strong 4

After listening to the first side, especially the first three songs, I was expecting to give this a 5. But three out of five songs on the second side are pretty mediocre (tracks 1, 2, and 4), so I think I have to get this one a 4. But the good songs on this album are great.

Has it changed my life? No. But is it full of bops? Yes.

Very strong album. I liked the first half more than the second, but overall this was excellent.

The opener and closer for this album automatically make it a 4 for me. There's a lot of other great songs on this one too, but roll it, mamunia, and picasso are all a little more bland for me personally.

пойдет

Short, concise, smooth, substantive, really dug it!

Great album. I never realised the title track was such a fantastic song despite having heard it many many times. Not everything stuck with me but the few tracks that did, really impressed me. Favourites: Band on the Run Jet Let Me Roll It Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

Jag gillar detta! Främst första halvan av albumet. Jag gillar den här Paul McCartney när han rockar lite mer. Vi vet ju att han kan skriva hits men detta är lite roligare än tidiga Beatles.

Every track is an adventure here. McCartney is in one of the best songwriting forms of his life on this album, the whole thing is just bursting with excitement and creativity. It's not The Beatles, but it's the next best thing. Favourite track: Let Me Roll It

cada dia que passa eu passo a gostar mais da carreira solo do paul.

Paul extraña a sus amiguitos y mientras busca la canción perfecta. Ya decidí que le voy a poner 5 solo a los discos prefectos. Subir un poco el estándar…

Hard not to compare this (unfavorably) with the Beatles -- it sounds SO much like late-stage Beatles (obv). So trying to evaluate it on its own, completely separate, merits is hard...almost impossible. At the same time, there is no more obvious master of tunes and hooks than McCartney. So in a world where the Beatles never existed this is a super fun, groovy rock and roll album, filled with energy and spirit. Some of the "goofing" (Mrs Vandebilt) feels a little forced and derivative of the madcap Beatles tracks. If I had any complaint it would probably be that it overall leans a little TOO light and borders on insubstantial. But Band on the Run and Jet are deservedly pop classics and the rest of the album still holds up in 2026 as the most classic form of classic 70s pop-rock.

Probably McCartney’s best solo album and there’s a handful of songs that would have been good enough to feature on a Beatles album if they had been together in 1973

very good album

Really enjoyed this album. I mostly only knew the title track, but there are some other great songs: Jet, Let Me Roll With It

Being second place is alright sometimes, right? I'm listening to the 2010 remaster of the album, mostly because I'm at work right now, fighting the good fight. This one is a classic, isn't it? I've got a lot of history with this one! It's Paul, for Pete's sake :joy:. I usually end up tying a lot of specific albums to points in my life, and this one has a very big reminiscence of being 14 or 15 and being in band in high school. During the time I was learning and teaching bass guitar at a local music shop for extra money. One of the things we'd always start out with, songs-wise was something by the Beatles. Something about how Paul plays on all the records he's on makes for really easy teaching, and from the players end they're very fun. They're fun listening, they're fun playing. Ms. Vanderbilt is a perfect example of that, it's so much fun to play! __Actual ratings and thoughts that aren't just a crazy woman rambling:__ - Obviously Band on the Run is like... The Song TM. It's pretty widely regarded as like, one of the best ever and I agree. - The early 70's were such a cool time for making music in my opinion. Things like transitions weren't entirely figured out yet, people were just starting to figure out that they could start to sound a little uglier on the air, and classic tones just fill me with so much joy. - I'm in love with all the actual vocal dynamics in this. Sometimes it feels like they're putting on voices and In those sections, I always picture whatever band it is in the studio just making funny faces at each other while recording. I dunno, it's fun! - As a firm Pink Floyd Fangirl, This album kind of compares to Meddle for me. There's weird little vibes, light vibes, heavier vibes... the gangs all here! Overall ratings: Album Rating: 73/100 Familiarity Rating: 3/5 Favorite Song: No Words Most Famous Song: Band on the Run Least Favorite Song: Mamunia

It's quite good, though it is a little on the slow side for my personal tastes. That said, there were several songs here that even I enjoyed - the titular song, and Ms Vanderbilt were my personal highlights. I'd give 3.5 if I could.

So, I grew up on the Beatles, and their later solo work, this was one of my mom's favorite albums, dad liked it, but preferred Harrison. So I've heard this album a *TON*, I adore the two big hits that start the song for different reasons. But the rest of the album is just... a good 70s album, but not exactly my style of Yacht Rock hits that I fall into as comfort music, it's more experimental. I know a lot of the backstory of the album, the band had two members quit JUST before the album, and the previous two albums were kinda disappointing, so this was a make or break album, and it absolutely was a hit. Track list: "Band on the Run" – 5:12 Reminiscent of the Abbey Road Medley, a sprawling song that feels like Paul's style combining multiple themes into a coherent single if long song. Very fun and exactly my jam. "Jet" – 4:09 The other massive hit from the album, quite fun, and poppy, very much in Paul's more upbeat styling. A wonderful one two punch to open the album. "Bluebird" – 3:23 Pretty, fun, but nothing to write home about, a little repetitive in places. Things needed to come down and be quieter after how hard Jet hit. "Mrs. Vandebilt" – 4:40 This feels like a deeper album track Paul would have put on a later Beatles album. Not bad, but nothing special. "Let Me Roll It" – 4:51 A stranger mix of his harsher rock sounds with a gentle ballad. By this point it's a nice solid album, but this song feels like him trying to emulate Lennon's style. "Mamunia" – 4:51 Yup. More Paul. While this is more of good Paul, it's just... dragging and repetitive. He really needs John to kick him out of ruts. "No Words" – 2:35 Weirdly, this sounds more like a Harrison song. But it's the shortest song on the album, and it's a shame, because so far it's the third best song on the whole album. "Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)" – 5:49 Yay Paul doing his Americana shtick... I've always hated when he does these, it's not a bad one, but eh... I think Elton John does the schlocky Americana so much better than Paul does. And this one also does the "let's jam three or four songs into a single song", including throw backs to Jet. I get what he's going for, but Band on the Run, Live and Let Die, and the Abbey Road Medley do this better than this one. "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" – 5:28 Nice closer, but this sounds like he's emulating Brian Wilson. A stronger song (likely 4th place for the album for me) to wrap the album, but it just goes on TOO long, just when you think it's about to end it starts again. Overall thoughts: I mean, it saved Wings. It redeemed Paul, and is widely considered the best post Beatles album by any former Beatle. But, I'd frankly rather listen to the two singles, or some Beatles albums. Just like John went kinda sideways with his solo stuff, Paul really needed someone to tell him when his ideas are bad. Favorite song: Jet Least Favorite: Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me) Album rating: 80/100 Familiarity: 90/100 Would I listen again: Yup, it's in my rotation for Beatles albums, so it comes up now and then. Not bad at all, but yeah, could be better.

I’m enough of a Beatles fan that I bought their entire discography when the 2009 re-releases came out. And yet, somehow, I never really listened much to their post-breakup content. As a result I’m hitting this album mostly fresh. Side A opens with the title track, one of the two ‘big’ McCartney/Wings songs that everyone knows, along with ‘Live and Let Die’. I’ve heard this song numerous times, but had somehow failed to notice the first two movements or, in fact, the storytelling aspect of the song. I guess I wasn’t paying attention to the lyrics previously? It feels very much like a late Beatles song, like it would fit on Abbey Road where they were showing off their respective trajectories. And of course, that immediately leads into very ‘Live and Let Die’ horns, leading into a throbbing fuzzed out bassline for ‘Jet’ and lyrics that seem awfully focused on whether the Major is a “lady suffragette”, whatever that’s supposed to mean in this song’s context? It feels a bit like the song was an excuse for that repeating line and… what? ‘Bluebird’ feels in line with some of the late Beatles songs again, and is kind of a jarring change tonally from the previous song, slowing way down into a love song about gaining freedom from… something?... that goes more jazzy than the Beatles ever did, again showing McCartney’s changing style and musical growth. It’s an odd middle track in this case, though, given that after it settles to its conclusion, you immediately get hit with the almost ABBA-like bassline that drives ‘Mrs. Vandebilt’ and its weirdly nihilistic lyrics leading into lunatic laughter and then… organ music and ‘Let Me Roll It’, the album’s slowest track, rolling almost too slowly? The little jogs in the guitars after each chorus are at least interesting, but I can’t say it makes for a terribly exciting end to the side. Side B ends up feeling almost like a different album entirely, for most of its runtime. It remains in the slow-paced ballad space through ‘Mamunia’ and its glorification of standing in the rain (which I can agree is worth doing now and then), and ‘No Words’ despairing at a one-sided love, before settling into a song that is absolutely a wake, ‘Picasso’s Last Words’, in which ‘Jet’ comes back to say hi. This does at least help to start tying the album together more overtly, even if it feels decidedly out of place in a song that is quite literally about a death, but then it turns around and brings back the refrain from ‘Mrs. Vandebilt’, too, leading into the album’s finale, ‘Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five’, a more upbeat song with utter nonsense lyrics that are mostly just there to let the album wrap with another musical theme that prefigures ABBA, along with lyrics that don’t feel especially sensical, but then, this particular song isn’t really about the lyrics, it’s about the music. In a return to the style of the aforementioned ‘Live and Let Die’, this builds into an orchestral surge that builds and builds in a way akin to the way that ‘A Day in the Life’ ended back on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, only when it breaks, unlike A Day in the Life’s chord fading to silence, the Band on the Run suddenly returns to lead us out. Oh good, they really did manage to never be found. I do feel like this is kind of motioning at being a Sgt. Pepper’s kind of concept album-alike, but as with Sgt. Pepper’s, it kind of comes apart in the middle, only vaguely maintaining the pretense. That said, I can’t fault it for this; there’s plenty of great songs here, and if the album has trouble finding itself in the middle, it’s only because this was Paul coming out of arguably the lowest point in his career and finding his footing again. 7.5/10. A few bangers that I won’t hesitate to listen to again here, but it doesn’t feel like McCartney has quite the same magic here as some of his later collaborations with John Lennon had.

𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘶𝘯 is one of the better post-Beatles albums I’ve heard. By this point, Paul McCartney sounds completely comfortable doing his own thing, and the album is packed with the kind of melodies that always seemed to come naturally to him. What stands out is how effortless it all feels. Even the more ambitious songs never sound like they’re trying too hard, and the album remains consistently enjoyable from start to finish. The title track is the obvious highlight, but it’s the overall quality of the songwriting that makes the record work. It’s not quite enough for a 5/5 from me, but it’s an easy recommendation for anyone curious about what the former Beatles did after the breakup.

The most popular Wings album in my opinion. Not one to sleep on. I was never a huge Beatles or Paul or Wings fan, but always worthy of a listen. 4.

Funky, catchy, and so fucking good. This is Beatles-adjacent so I knew it was going to be good production-wise but I didn't expect to be so invested in every song. I felt like there were some elements of prog rock in here as well as tracks just evolved instead of going through a standard structure. Genius stuff. Especially loved the sax on the album. Bass was really catchy too, might learn some of these tracks. Couple of misses with Mamunia and Picasso's Last Words but otherwise an enjoyable album to hear in one go. Ninteen Hundred and Eighty Five is fucking phenomenal too, what a closer. Favourite tracks: Jet, Bluebird, Ninteen Hundred and Eighty Five 4/5

This is certainly not the Beatles. I guess it really proves that Paul McCartney wasn't a one trick pony. I loved this album, first time I have heard it through completely.

een albummetje om vrolijk van te worden 😁

Drink to me, drink to my health You know I can’t drink anymore. Drink to me, drink to my health You know I can’t drink anymore.

i don't care anymore. more true brexit geezers™️. my hands will never get tired. as the fullest of the "full Beatle" archetype (see stone roses review) let it be known there's nothing wrong with grandma music. you fucking children. will the indie huzz get mad if i say i hear sweet trip in this? will the (group of people that def exists) mature sophisti-pop mommies still fw me if i say the first three tracks make me want to "surrender" (word to swing out sister)? do i even give a shit? 3.8-5. thank god we not a Nigerians. thank god (re jill scot freestyle - rx papi: i wouldn't mind if fela kuti beat ur ass) we not a Nigerians. i would've ripped them EMI niggas a new asshole if they touched down in Kumasi. this yoruba white boy reggae grandma music ass b side. alas. i bought the ticket. i must ride.

Buen album, hace recordar el rock clásico con sonidos de mayor madurez

First time hearing a Paul McCartney album. This man has been rocking the music world for a long time now as a singer and songwriter, and some might call him a legend. For me, its still a blank slate and im open to write my opinion on it. T1: Low key chill with some strong instrument. its a good opening T2: A solid song. good ass chord prog., good ass chorus. T3: Ts so chill, i like it T4: I honestly like this song, its goofy T5: Its aight T6: imma sleep T7: meh T8: a good background noise T9: strong ending. it sounds marvelous. Overall, it’s a good album, but it’s definitely not perfect. Just a quality piece of work from the 70s. Honestly, if you don't vibe with this project, then this entire genre probably just isn't for you.

Good stuff

chilliger rock, not my favorite aber kann man sich schon mal nebenbei anhören ist net schlecht, typisch 70er rock i guess

Listened to this while driving in the car and honestly it made me want to skip the party and just keep driving

I have synesthesia and this album is orange…. But! If you put boron on it and light it on fire, it will turn green!! Hope this helps :)

Had a lot of fun

Yeah cool! Liked how it looped around in the end. A weak 4 for me.

Good album. But honestly I might have to say after going back to back George Harrison went a little harder on his own. But these are catchy as shit regardless

as someone who has listened to very few beatles albums, this reminds me very much of the beatles! although, i do think this is better then what i’ve heard. my favorite song was mrs. vanderbilt, close second was bluebird.

Another great album from beginning to end and to be enjoyed as a whole album project. Another project that showcases how well of a songwriter and composer Paul McCartney is.

Love this album!

Lord take me down to the streets, this was a good album

Best of Album: (All songs are 2010 Remasters) - Band On The Run - Mrs. Vandebilt - Let Me Roll It - Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five

Trust me turn those lyrics on It's way more fun

Unique sound very reminiscent of the era

Illo me ha encantado. Qué buen disco. Y yo sin haber escuchado nunca nada de Paul McCartney (excepto un disco de los beatles, poco más). Este sí que me lo quiero comprar porque me lo voy a escuchar más veces jejje. Le doy un 4,5/5. Muuuuy bueno.

I liked this much more than I thought I would! Unmistakably Paul, a little silly, a little gnarly, a little theatrical. Really full, fun record. Glad I gave it a chance! : )

The only solo McCartney album I have. Starts great, and mostly stays that way. Loses a bit of quality on side 2. 4 Heard before? Yes Owned: Yes 78/308 (25%) Will I get: Already have

I would expect nothing less from such a musical legend. I'm actually really not as well versed in The Beatles' solo careers and other projects as I would like to be. So I'm hearing this for the first time, and it's just everything I could want it to be. It's undeniably Paul McCartney, but at the same time sounds so fresh, and really feels like he's coming into his own with making music without the rest of The Beatles. Just a really simple and fun pop rock album, and he does it so well despite being the legend he is who has achieved a hell of a lot more prior to this.

Controversially, I do not think this the best album Paul McCartney’s has been involved in in his life. But it’s amazing how good his “weaker” albums are.

Surprisingly good. Contains most of the hits I know.

i liked the beatles as a kid but i realised ive never listened to any of their solo work... surprisingly had a lot of fun listening to this

Songs from my very early childhood. I recognize Band on the Run and Jet as nostalgic rockers. I know of Let Me Roll It from Howard's huge affection for the lick.This was a great album, sometimes a bit hokey for me (like the beginning to Mamunio) but I would play this one again straight through.

Such an easy listening 70s pop rock album. Band on the run is the standout track and almost sets the bar too high for the rest of the album. The songs that follow are decent to good, none hit me like the title track, though they’re all very catchy, signature McCartney pop tunes.

Really strong opening and closing songs

Perfectly fine album to listen to. McCartney has written some beautiful songs which are performed well. However it falls a bit flat to me in general. It goes and goes well, but it doesn't really excite enough. 4/5

Jist great pop tunes after great pop tunes. I was scared at first that this album was gona be "Band on the run" plus filler but its a rather cohesive and prety good record. Exept for every every song between "Let me roll it" and "Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five". Theyr kinda mid.

Enjoyable listen. Like I expected, not quite as good as the Beatles (what is) but good all around songs.

ou pior que é fortíssimo esse, hein tava botando 0 fé, mas curti bastante. pop rock mto bem feito e variado, divertido demais!!

Honestly great energy and some really catchy parts!

mooi album door één van de betere Beatles

PAUL MCCARTNEY!! great album with great vibes

One of the better post-beatles albums, no real complaints here, just overall solid Paul-written songs. Standouts are the title tracks, Jet, Mrs. Vandebilt and Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five.

So easy to listen to. Fave so far

Still prefer the Beatles, but it was good. Would listen to it again :)

He's just so impish and whimsical

Day 279 Knows his way around a tune does our Paul Highlights Mrs Vanderbilt Let me Roll it Nineteen hundred and eighty five

Solid and very enjoyable.

I have the unpopular opinion of not being mad on either the Beatles albums (they have some incredible songs, but not entire albums) OR Paul’s solo work which is a tad whimsical … that is … with the exception of this beauty. Which is good. Low 4. Not higher because of the lyrics

I love Paul McCartney - one of the world’s great enthusiasts who has only gotten cooler as he’s gotten older. This third and final Wings album sees him on particularly life affirming form with brilliantly sunny songs pouring out of him. There is a glorious range of effortless interwoven textures and sounds on each song including some fantastic guitar work which has a proper bite and plush harmonies.

It’s getting a solid 4 from me too! I love his quirkier/cuter side and enough of that is here alongside some v robust songwriting (of course)

Esse Beatle é bom

8/10 Every song here has it's own identity, with measured experimentation and genuine quality throughout. McCartney is a unicorn when it comes to fully-rounded musical ability - just about everything he touches turns to gold. 'Band On The Run' is clearly the standout track here, and the entire A-Side is brimming with quality. I will say this record is let down a touch by a comparatively weaker B-Side. 'Picasso's Last Words' missed the mark a bit for me. Best track: Band On The Run Will I revisit?: Yes

Nice vibe, and finally - the first song was added within 5–6 album-days!

Listening session: may 15th, while crocheting Listened to before: heard one song before Thoughts: Paul McCartney’s songwriting is so good, I really enjoyed this album Favourite tracks: Band On The Run, Bluebird & No Words

Highlights: Band on the Run, Jet, Bluebird, Mrs. Vandebilt, Let Me Roll It, Mamunia, No Words, 1985 Out of all of the Beatles, Paul is the only one out of the four that I feel like deserves respect for their post-breakup work. Lennon went full retard, and the other two... Well, yeah... That being said, I haven't delved deep into his Wings period, so this was a nice reason to get into it. This is at first a very interesting and playful record, but still kinda safe and nothing all that revolutionary. Some tracks still feel like they are "Beatles" tracks. I've read somewhere that Let Me Roll It is written to sound like a Lennon song, and now I can't unhear it. But there are also some beautiful, more exotic sounding bits, such as Bluebird and No Words. I loved the record, but it did feel like a lite version of Paul's legacy. It didn't set my world on fire. Overall it felt like the tempo was slower, and it just gave the impression of this being his relaxed, lazy outing. A nap after a decade of hustling. Heck, even a groovy track like 1985 needs a couple of breaks from the action to take a breather!

Classic album for sure!

WOW…this album takes me way back! I remember roller skating to these songs in the 70’ when I was a preteen. Fun times! Great music and fun lyrics mixed in as well.

good paul has a nice voice

I'm aware of this album but I don't believe I've ever listened to it start-to-finish. This is good, but not as good as McCartney's typical Beatles output.

Great one

Love The Beatles. Paul has always been my favorite. This album is full of great songs including the singles (title track, Jet, Let Me Roll It). Solid 4.4/5.

Yes please

Fantastic bookends on the album. The middle lost me a little.

Wings feels like a machine designed to generate ratings somewhere between 4 and 4.5. It's one part Beatles-level compositions and one part McCartney and friends just messing around, and you never quite know what you are going to get with any given album or track. I really can't imagine ranking it up there with the Beatles, but damn if Paul doesn't make me doubt it every time, plus have a lot of fun.

I quite liked it. Mamunia and 1985 were really enjoyable.

Picasso's last words drags on a bit drink to my health... Other than that love this album thoroughly enjoyed it. Band on the run is a masterpiece

Падла развалил Битлз

Rather enjoyed this one. The title track is a classic, Jet is great too but my favourite track on the album was Mrs Vanderbilt. Some of the slower songs didn't stick with me, with the exception of Bluebird. 3.5/5

8/10 Ah, Paul McCartney. Very listenable, with zdostinct flavours of Neil Young's guitar sound and Paul Simons songwriting, whilst being unmistakable. I always feel, like many, that Paul needed Lennon to reign in the crap vaudeville, musical hall stuff.

just like george harrison's solo work, this one by paul is another gateway into the beatles for those who did not get the hype of their group work, absolute gems on this one like let me roll it and no words!

# In-Depth Review: *Band on the Run* by Paul McCartney and Wings (1973) ## Overview and Context Released in December 1973, *Band on the Run* represents a pivotal moment in Paul McCartney's post-Beatles career. After two poorly received albums with Wings (*Wild Life* and *Red Rose Speedway*), McCartney faced mounting criticism that he was the lightweight, pop-oriented half of the Lennon-McCartney partnership. The album's creation was itself a story of adversity: two members of Wings (guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Denny Seiwell) quit just before recording, leaving McCartney, Linda, and Denny Laine as a trio . Rather than retreat, McCartney took this reduced lineup to Lagos, Nigeria to record at the EMI studio there—a decision that would infuse the album with unexpected creative energy despite difficult circumstances that included being mugged at knifepoint and having demo tapes stolen . ## Lyrics McCartney's lyrical approach on *Band on the Run* is characteristically playful and narrative-driven rather than deeply confessional. The title track presents an abstract tale of escape and freedom—"the spirit amongst the young people of getting away, breaking out" as McCartney later described it, though some interpreted it as referencing his legal battles with former Beatles manager Allen Klein . "Jet" was famously named after a pony on the McCartneys' Scottish farm, its lyrics remaining deliberately nonsensical and exuberant . The album contains moments of genuine emotional resonance alongside its lighter fare. "Bluebird" yearns with a melancholic beauty, while "Let Me Roll It" carries a heavier, more brooding tone often interpreted as McCartney channeling Lennon's style . "Mamunia" offers a surprisingly philosophical perspective on adversity: "The rain comes falling from the sky to fill the stream that fills the sea / And that's where life began for you and me / So the next time you see rain, it ain't bad / Don't complain it rains for you" . "Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)" was written on a dare from Dustin Hoffman during a holiday encounter in Jamaica, incorporating fragments of other songs on the album in a dreamlike, stream-of-consciousness structure . **Verdict on Lyrics:** McCartney's words here prioritize melody-carriers and mood-setters over profound poetry. They're accessible and often charmingly absurd, but rarely reach the psychological depth of Lennon's best work or even McCartney's own Beatles-era peaks. ## Music and Composition Musically, *Band on the Run* showcases McCartney at his most compositionally ambitious. The title track itself is a masterclass in the "song-suite" approach McCartney pioneered on *Abbey Road*—three distinct musical sections woven into a cohesive whole that shifts from gentle acoustic opening to driving rock to triumphant chorus . This structural complexity appears throughout: "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" builds to a proto-disco climax with McCartney singing in an altered voice before fading back into the "Band on the Run" refrain, creating a circular album structure . "Jet" delivers one of McCartney's most irresistible hooks—a shouty, propulsive rock anthem that remains endlessly catchy . "Let Me Roll It" features heavy use of echo and a grinding guitar riff that many listeners initially mistook for a Lennon composition, representing perhaps the closest post-Beatles approximation of the Lennon-McCartney dynamic . "Mrs. Vandebilt" provides pure singalong joy with its infectious "Ho, Hey-Ho" refrain . The album's musical range is impressive: from the acoustic tenderness of "Bluebird" to the ragtime clarinet and French spoken word of "Picasso's Last Words" to the orchestral soft rock of "No Words" . McCartney's bass playing throughout is, as expected, exquisite—particularly the rollicking tone on "Mrs. Vandebilt" reminiscent of "Old Brown Shoe" . ## Production The production story of *Band on the Run* is almost as famous as the music itself. The basic tracks were recorded in Lagos on a faulty mixing desk driving a single Studer 8-track recorder—mediocre technology even by 1973 standards, though still an upgrade from the 4-track used for *Sgt. Pepper* . Upon returning to London, McCartney took the tapes to George Martin's AIR Studios where they were transferred to 16-track, allowing for overdubs including Linda's Moog synthesizer work and, crucially, lavish orchestral arrangements by Tony Visconti featuring a 60-piece orchestra . The result is a fascinating hybrid: the raw, spontaneous energy of the Lagos sessions combined with polished, professional post-production. McCartney himself noted that the tapes "sounded different" back in England, and the team worked to achieve a sound that was "raw but professional, which was kind of a nice mix" . The orchestral touches on "Picasso's Last Words" and "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" demonstrate McCartney's absorption of George Martin's production lessons—"the student delivered," as one reviewer put it . However, the production isn't flawless. Some listeners have noted fidelity issues and occasional out-of-tune moments, particularly in earlier pressings . The remastered editions have addressed many of these concerns, with the Abbey Road team's work under Allen Rouse providing cleaner, crisper sound while maintaining the album's essential character . ## Themes While not a concept album in the strict sense, *Band on the Run* carries a consistent thematic thread: **freedom and escape**. The title track's prison break narrative, "Bluebird's" yearning for flight, "Mamunia's" finding shelter from the storm, and even the album cover's *Sgt. Pepper*-esque photo of celebrity "fugitives" all reinforce this motif . The album also explores **resilience in adversity**—fitting given its creation circumstances. "Mamunia" explicitly reframes negative experiences positively, while the very existence of this polished, triumphant record emerging from band departures, muggings, and equipment limitations serves as a testament to creative perseverance . There's also a meta-theme of **McCartney proving himself**. After years of being dismissed as the "soft" Beatle responsible for the group's breakup, *Band on the Run* was his statement of independence and capability. The album's ambition and success effectively relaunched his career, establishing him as a viable solo superstar rather than a former Beatle trading on past glories . ## Influence and Legacy *Band on the Run* fundamentally altered the trajectory of McCartney's solo career. It became the first Wings album to top the US charts and kicked off a run of #1 albums that included *Venus and Mars*, *At the Speed of Sound*, and *Wings Over America* . It proved that McCartney could create commercially viable, critically respected work without Lennon, Harrison, or Starr. The album's influence extends beyond McCartney's own catalog. Its song-suite structure influenced how rock musicians approached album-length composition. The integration of orchestral elements into pop-rock arrangements (handled by Visconti) prefigured the work of artists like Electric Light Orchestra . The album's success also helped establish the template for the "band as brand" approach that would dominate rock in the 1970s—McCartney using Wings as a vehicle for his vision while maintaining a democratic facade. Culturally, *Band on the Run* arrived at a moment when audiences were ready for a break from the heaviness of early 1970s rock. As one reviewer noted, "In 1973 we were ready for a break from all the seriousness" following the end of the Vietnam draft and the cultural weight of albums like *Dark Side of the Moon* . McCartney provided that release without sacrificing musical sophistication. --- ## Pros and Cons ### Pros | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Songwriting peaks** | Contains several of McCartney's finest post-Beatles compositions: the title track, "Jet," "Let Me Roll It," and "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" are genuine classics | | **Structural ambition** | The song-suite approach of the title track and the circular album structure demonstrate compositional maturity beyond standard pop | | **Production creativity** | The Lagos-to-London recording journey produced a unique sonic character—raw yet polished, spontaneous yet carefully arranged | | **Musicianship** | McCartney's bass playing, Linda's harmonies, and Denny Laine's contributions create a surprisingly full sound for a trio | | **Cohesion** | Despite eclectic styles, the album flows remarkably well as a front-to-back listen, with clever callbacks and integrated motifs | | **Historical importance** | The album that established McCartney as a sustainable solo artist and relaunched his commercial dominance | | **Orchestral integration** | Tony Visconti's arrangements add grandeur without overwhelming the songs | ### Cons | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Uneven quality** | The album's lesser tracks ("Mamunia," "No Words," "Bluebird" for some listeners) are pleasant but forgettable—"nice is about the most enthusiastic word I can muster for them" | | **Lyric lightness** | McCartney's words often serve melody rather than meaning; tracks like "Jet" are essentially nonsense, and even the better lyrics lack the depth of his Beatles-era peak | | **"Granny music" tendencies** | Songs like "Mrs. Vandebilt" and "Picasso's Last Words" embody the twee, cloying quality Lennon famously criticized in McCartney's work | | **Filler concerns** | At 9 tracks (or 10 with "Helen Wheels"), the album is brief, and not every song justifies its inclusion—some feel like they "would've been cut from latter-day Beatles records" | | **Production limitations** | The original Lagos recordings had technical shortcomings, and some pressings suffer from fidelity issues or out-of-tune moments | | **Context-dependent reputation** | Some critics argue the album benefits from being released at the right time rather than being an absolute masterpiece—"it didn't have to be that great to acquire its legendary status" given the hunger for a new Beatles-like triumph | | **African influence superficiality** | Despite being recorded in Nigeria, the "exotic" elements (guiros, claves) can feel like surface-level decoration rather than deep integration | --- ## Final Assessment *Band on the Run* succeeds not because it's perfect, but because its best moments are so transcendent that they elevate the entire record. The title track alone justifies the album's reputation—a genuinely brilliant composition that ranks among McCartney's finest work in or out of The Beatles. "Jet" and "Let Me Roll It" provide rock muscle, while "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" closes the album with epic grandeur. The weaker tracks, while inoffensive, do prevent this from being an unassailable masterpiece. McCartney's lyrical lightness—his tendency toward "near-mindless mini narratives and sweet emotings" —means the album rarely achieves genuine emotional depth. But what it lacks in profundity, it compensates for in craft, melody, and sheer listenability. Ultimately, *Band on the Run* is McCartney's most successful balancing act: ambitious enough to silence critics who dismissed him as lightweight, yet accessible enough to dominate the charts. It remains arguably the definitive statement of his solo career and, alongside *All Things Must Pass* and *Imagine*, one of the three essential post-Beatles solo albums . Whether it's truly his best work (some prefer the homemade warmth of *Ram*) or merely his most commercially triumphant is a matter of debate—but its importance is undeniable.

Good post beatles McCartney

Pleasant rock album. Last track was fun.

actually super enjoyable listen

Great album, Paul was the best Beatle, fight me.

Paul kann auch alleine ohne die Beatles gute Scheiße schreiben. Ziemlich catchy

paul McMeLikey

What I personally think is Paul McCartney's best post-Beatles work: his idiosyncracies still on full display here, but also an undoubtedly charming record.

No sabia s'existencia den Paul McCartney fent música amb un altre grup però es que canti on canti tot sona tant a ell (i per tant, a nes Beatles) que m'encanta.

Classic

Muy buenas canciones

Band on the run is a classic as usual. More mellow than what the beatles usually make. 1985 was probably the most beatles-esque song on the album. But other than band on the run, nothing is really that great.

I have never listened to this whole album in one sitting and it is a good. Band on the Run and Jet are both very good. The rest of the album is definitely above average. This is maybe McCartney's best overall post-Beatles album. I won't get into the whole Lennon/McCartney "sum of the parts" thing, but listening to both of them as solo acts always makes me appreciate even more what they did together. This is a pretty great album. Paul McCartney is a f'ing musical genius and a generational talent.

Grandísimo disco. Súper largo para escribir el nombre de la última canción, menospreciada pero excelente (no lo vuelvo a escuchar completo nunca más hasta unos meses)

really cool album, on the last track right now. mamunia is definatly one of my fav.. the album has the same vibe as a refresher on a hot summer day :)

I haven't listened to most of them, but this is possibly Pauls best post-Beatles album. The quality of these tracks ranks among some of the best songs on Beatles albums like the White Album or Let It Be.

As ridiculous as it is, it's hard for me to give McCartney his flowers when, it's my understanding, that he was part of the reason why George Harrison couldn't record and release the brilliance of All Things Must Pass until the Beatles broke up. I am fiercely loyal to that album. That being said, I really like some of the songs on Flaming Pie, and this album is really really good. I really enjoyed the use of horns on this album, it's an all-time album cover., and almost all of the songs are incredibly progressive (sonically) for the early 1970s. Plus, the album is a great length which gets huge points from me.

interesting,I don't listen songs like this..but it was unusual

It’s often said that McCartney lost the ability to finish a song towards the end of the Beatles and through this period, this is said in a negative way but look at the end product, A Day In The Life, side two of Abbey Road and Band on The Run. Not a bad stretch of music and his ability to splice together the fragments of unfinished songs influenced others who came after to do the same (Paranoid Android for one), so we’re all better off for it. As for this album, it stands up well after over 50 years and there isn’t that many albums that can be said about, which is why McCartney is rightly regarded as one of, if not the, best songwriters of the 20th century. There is a bit too much cheesiness which shows that McCartney did need Lennon’s vinegar to go with his honey, but Paul could lay down a melody better than Lennon, who’s own post Beatles work is a lot worse in my opinion.

buenos instrumentos y música

it's Paul, of course it's good. title track is an all-time banger. deep cuts are not as great as the Beatles standard

Bastante bien Paul solista

Great! Varied and upbeat album, lots of memorable songs.

Opens with a couple of classics, loved the ending track too, an enjoyable ride throughout

Loved the first Album! Really good sound throughout right up my street!

Nice. Never listened to any Paul or Wings albums

Love Paul McCartney soo that makes me biased 😎 A lot of bangers, but there are some songs that dont vibe with me that much, but the great ones are GREAT ! Soo almost perfect

1. Band on the run - perfect opening track, every segment builds on the previous, love the crecendo of the bridge that leads into the 12-string. Perfection! 2. Jet - No wonder this is still on the setlist. The opening riffs dark, melicious aura is infatuating before breaking free with the chorus. Rhyming suffragette with jet deserves a bonus point. 3. Bluebird - beautiful melody, vivid percussion and graceful harmonies. Feel like this track is coming in a bit early, a slow track like this should be closer to the end. Full marks for the track, deduction for the placement on the album. 4. Mrs. Vanderbilt - Fun sing-along song, a bit more forgettable than many other tracks, but still fits nicely in the album without feeling like «filler». The chorus with the saxophone coda is also *chef’s kiss* 5. Let me roll it - The song, awesome, the live version, powerful, the studio recording, severely lacking. If they did the intro and chorus with the same power as jet the studio version would be the go-to. At least we have the live version from citi field! 6. Mamunia - I always forget this track is on the album. This is the only real filler song on the album, though short and sweet, McCartney was on a good streak at this point and there could and should have been a better track here. 7. No words - A beautiful, haunting, track that shows that McCartney can write about love without being sappy. The lead guitar effect is also sonically perfect! 8. Picasso’s last words - Iconic track, always great when Paul does a biographical song, really hooks me with the storytelling. The instrumental makes it feel like it’s sang around a campfire, and McCartney invites us into it, pure magic. 9. Nineteen hundreed and eighty five: that’s how you close an album! The scaled riff, the haunting chants, the constant restarts. This is solo mccartney at his finest, perfect ender! If you’re gonna listen to one Wings album, this is it! Definitive McCartney in every way. While it’s not perfect, it has

very consistent, lots of diversity, very fun listen

Firstthing i thought when I listened to it I was like "why does this has so high rating?". The moment when I catch myself dancing to it i knew why.

Band in Vilnius

loved this!

One on my favorite albums from Sir Paul! Its a chill good time. A trip from beginning to end.

A pretty good album, headlined by two excellent songs to open in Band on the Run and Jet that provide some great energetic and dramatic rock. The rest is fine-to-good, with nothing I’d describe as bad but nothing that blew me away either. Mrs. Vanderbilt probably my highlight of those.

An album I really enjoyed. The opening track is the standout for me, although I also enjoy ‘Jet’ and ‘Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five’ and have a soft spot for ‘Mamunia’. The references to earlier sections of the album on ‘Picasso’s Last Words’ gave the album a cyclical feel.

One of Macca’s strongest post-Beatles albums for both songwriting and performances. The title track and ‘Jet’ is a great one-two punch to open the album, ‘Mrs Vandebilt’ is good fun and ‘Let Me Roll It’ is a solid slow rocker with Paul giving his best John Lennon impression. On side two, ‘No Words’ is a nice little rock ballad, ‘Picasso’s Last Words’ is also good but maybe a little too long, and finally ‘Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five’ is a fantastic closer. The two tracks I haven’t yet mentioned, ‘Bluebird’ and ‘Mamunia’, I don’t like as much but they’re still decent.

かなり好き

Its a good one, I like it.

Pretty good, but every lad from Liverpool suffers from a lot of solo work that pales in comparison to their earlier work

I'm rounding this 3.5 up to a 4 because 1. RAM isn't on this list for me to give 5 stars to, so #justiceforRAM; 2. Paul is my favorite and I'm not ashamed to admit to that bias. #justiceforpaul. Anyway. This is fun! Not all of the lyrics make a lot of sense but who cares about that. Jet is great! The title track is great! Let Me Roll It is FANTASTIC...

One of the most famous of the post-Beatles albums, this was the first major success for Paul McCartney outside of his former group. Which is crazy because "Ram" is an amazing and often overlooked album. Maybe it's because there were some unnecessary jabs at John Lennon on "Ram" which turned people off. That's understandable (though seriously, it's worth listening to). Here McCartney is just making catchy music without any particular agenda though, which is refreshing. I find it hard to listen to any of the post-Beatles albums in those first few years without trying to imagine how they could have fit into a Beatles album if the group had stuck together. And there are plenty of options that could fit from here. They're less innovative than "Ram" or Lennon's early releases, but that's kind of the charm of it. They're just good pop songs to balance out the experimental songs. That was what made them a great band. Sure, Wings may have been too far on that end, but we all need some guilty pleasures don't we? The opening two tracks are among McCartney's best songs to date.

big fan of whatever happened here

Mrs. Vandebilt is by far the best song on this album. Ho, hey ho.

Amazing album and peak solo McCartney. Starts off super strong with Band on the Run and Jet. Amazing one two punch! Finished strong with No Words. Enjoy the entire album, great listen!

As good as any Beatles album Best Song: Band on the Run Rating: 8/10 Stars: 4

Paul McCartney sure can write a song 3.8/5 rounds up to 4

Almost as good as the Beatles

Had I known this would turn up this week I would’ve watched the documentary last weekend! I like how it’s McCartney with a band again. I hope the others were given the autonomy to try things out. But I suspect it was an autocracy A lot of strong songs occasionally hamstrung by complex arrangements for complex arrangements sake. This is particularly clear on the lps best song - Picasso’s last words. A simple song written from a magazine article to prove to Dustin Hoffman he could (any songwriter can do that btw), over complicated by bring motifs from earlier songs. Sometimes there’s joy in a simple drinking song Paul

The title track is so good that even a hard-to-please John Lennon admitted it was a banger. It's hard to disagree with Lennon, as the cinematic quality it has makes it a real gem. Paul knew how to pen a stomper and with its shouty chorus, 'Jet' might be one of his best. The album quietens down after that. The laid-back stuff is still enjoyable, just a step below the rockier cuts. I'd make exceptions for 'Mrs. Vandebilt' and 'Mamunia' as they both have excellent melodies that only a Beatle could pull out. The album closes with a real top-tapper. 'Nighteen Hundred And Eighty Five' is an infectious piano-led closer that builds up to a blistering and cinematic finale. At this point, McCartney had completely come into his own. I'm not saying his prior solo work was bad, it just didn't feel as complete as it all feels on here.

I'd only ever heard the title track of this album. It's a nice experience, fun to listen to. I don't know that it's a world class album but I like it a lot. 4.3/5

I may be a little biased on this one, as my older brother had this in regular rotation when I was growing up. But news flash: Paul McCartney is a really good songwriter, you guys. I'm not sure I can tell you what most of the lyrics mean, but almost every tune on this album is catchy as hell, with hooks polished to razor sharpness. The performances and production are top-notch, especially when you consider the really crappy conditions under which the album was recorded. Winner.

Definitely his best album with Wings though I like his first two solo albums better. No question this one brings the hits with the titlectrack, "Jet," and "Let Me Roll It" among others. It's the deeper cuts that are sometimes lacking, especially on the second half. "Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)" goes on too long and unnecessarily brings snippets of other songs in to no effect. "No More Words" is just an OK McCartney silly love song. And, though I like "Mamunia" it goes on too long. So it's not 5 stars but still a damn fine album.

Fun and great songs.

7 / 10 - Sehr solider Folk-Rock Favs: - Band on the Run - Jet

Dad used to listen to Wings in the car so this holds nostalgia for me, and I sang along to Band on the Run, Jat, Mrs. Vandebilt and Let me Roll it.

The first couple of tracks are all-time legendary, but I feel it kind of loses it's way after that into a series of kinda ok songs.. the attempt to reprise some themes toward the end feels a bit forced.

You don't have to really like Paul that much for it to be a good album.

Really liked this album! Many catchy songs and very cool vocals

Really strong first half of the album, tails off towards the final tracks. Enjoyed listening to it.

This was pretty good. I like the recurring themes that tie the album together. Catchy songs.

me gusto

Hard not love P McC

Bien hecho Pablito, te salió bien.

i feel like i wasn't gripped by that many of the songs on the first listen, but i did enjoy that several basically sounded like what i imagine the beatles would've sounded like had they been together through the 70s. there were moments that i felt like it suffered from the lack of collaboration from the other beatles, and that the paul-ness did not stand strong enough on its own; it leaned a little goofy to me at times. but i returned to it later in the day and i feel like i absorbed more of the intricacies of the music that expand beyond what i expect of paul / am used to hearing from paul's songwriting in the beatles. i think his creativity here is interesting and could grow on me over time. fav tracks: Mrs. Vandebilt; Let Me Roll It; Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five

This kind of really proves how inept john lennon was when you look at solo projects, george harrison and paul both produce fantastic records, while john is mired in art, rock mediocrity.Nevertheless, this record itself is basically nonstop with almost no skip.Actually, there are no skips, it's just that some songs do fall into some cheesy blues, rock seventies, cliches.But even those tracks are highlighted by great arrangements and excellent instrumentation

Very nice listen

Great album. Just has great flow, catchy songs, and perfect timing. "Bluebird" was my favorite off of this one.

2026.03.23

First time listening to the whole album, only really knew the title track and Jet. Was familiar with Let Me Roll It from Lake Street Dive's amazing cover. Also really enjoyed Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five. All in all a very solid 40 minute album.

I had so much fun with this album. It's the perfect length, a great time, and I would say there are no skips. 'Let Me Roll It' is such an enjoyable song that I can't get out of my head. But my favorite part of the album was the 'Jet' reprise on 'Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)'. I have heard this album before, so going in I knew I was going to rate it pretty high. I originally was going to give it a five star rating, but something inscrutable is holding me back, maybe I've overplayed the album. Four stars. (Favorite track: Let Me Roll It.)

Sir Paul McCartney, king of the toe tappers and definitely my cuppa tea. Front half is definitely better than the back half, I thought we had another Fiver on our hands.

That surprisingly was a banger of an album! Anspieltipp: Jet!

I'd say 1 song, maybe 2, is skippable, but this is an otherwise excellent album loaded with great songs

Band On the Run Jet Mrs Vanderbilt Picasso’s Last Words Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

Band on the Run Jet Mrs Vandebilt Picasso’s Last Words Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five

Idk man wings just has a hold on me

This was the second or third album I bought so i know it well. Distinctive McCartney vocals and I hadn't realised until now that Paul played most of the great music himself due to other band members dropping out just before the album was recorded. Maybe I'm biased but the album doesn't seem particularly outdated.

Band on the run Let me roll it Jet Mrs Vanderbilt

Very solid, really enjoyed the album as a whole, "Mrs. Vandebilt" being the standout song for me.

band on the run! mrs vandebilt!! nineteen hundred and eighty five!!1!!

This is probably my favourite Beatles-verse album from here so far. Was pleasantly surprised with how catchy and layered the songs were. It lost me a bit in the second half but overall I really enjoyed it.

Le debut de l’album ne me met pas du tout dedans, mais milieu de l’album très interessant, melodieux et guitare très acoustique mais super douce et agréable. Grand succès de mccarthney apres séparation avec beattles. Meilleure conception technique aux Grammys. Changements de rythmiques si bien maitrisés.

Loved it! So fun

Great compositions

Liked it

Ja, daar houd ik nu van. De McCartney is best goed. Afwisselend. Mooie melodieën. Heel muzikaal.

Dit album is niet mijn favoriete album van paul mccartney. Maar voor een basliefhebber is het toch echt genieten. Als Paul wilt overtuigen dat hij een stoere rocker is vind ik het niet geloofwaardig, maar de lieve liedjes zijn mooi en melodieus. Bluebird is leuk, het nummer band on the run is eeg goed. Heel erg lekker dat het nummer is opgedeeld in drie stukken. Het nummer jet heb ik nooit echt heel leuk gevonden. Let me roll it is een leuke! Als je de muziek van Paul vergelijkt met dit album heeft hij solo en met the beatles betere muziek gemaakt. Alsnog genoten!

Onterecht wordt Yoko vaak als schuldige aangewezen als het gaat om het uiteenvallen van The Beatles. Persoonlijk ben ik juist blij met het post-Beatles tijdperk, waarin alle vier de leden de kans kregen om compleet hun eigen ding te doen. Soms hoor je dat ze nog een beetje zoeken naar hun eigen geluid buiten de band. Bij Paul is het af en toe een beetje veel Paul. Zijn quirky en charmante stijl kan soms wat doorslaan, maar eerlijk gezegd vind ik dat ook juist wel weer leuk. Op dit album werkt dat voor mij grotendeels goed. Nummers als Bluebird en Let Me Roll It hadden wat mij betreft niet misstaan op een Beatles-plaat. Ik merk wel dat ik de eerste helft van de plaat beter vind dan de tweede. Picasso’s Last Words spreekt me minder aan en voelt wat lang aan. Tegen die tijd merk ik dat mijn aandacht een beetje wegzakt, waardoor ik het laatste nummer ook niet echt meer goed heb meegekregen. Desalniettemin zit het album vol mooie melodieën en harmonieën, precies zoals je van Paul McCartney mag verwachten. 3,5 afgerond naar 4 omdat dit technisch en creatief gezien toch wel veel beter is dan Thelonious Monk

A really good album. Fun to listen to every song. I didn’t need to skip anything…as expected when a legend makes the sound. In my honest opinion the Beatles all together are just better and on another level. Therefore I’ll rate this album with 4/5 stars.

Really enjoyed the album. Actually liked it a lot more than I thought I would considering I am not big fan of the beetles.

Phenomenal album. Easily Paul McCartney's most focused stream of creative output of his post-Beatles career. No skips on this album, though the B-side is, in my opinion, slightly less invigorating as the A-side. But so many amazing tracks that conjoin to tell a beautiful story of longing, love, and freedom! And the legend only grows when you learn that Paul recorded the vast majority of the parts on the record. Amazing album front to back. Favorite track: Let Me Roll It

Skønt album

--Band on the Run...I don't like many songs over five minutes. this track justifies its length --Jet...banger. production is surprisingly lo-fi but I like it --Bluebird...Sir Paul can sometimes get treacly and I'd say this qualifies --Mrs. Vandebilt...a nice bass groove and some sexy sax. sort of a dirge --Let Me Roll It...Paul's voice is veering into John territory here. how titillating --Mamunia...campfire singalong feel. very nice --No Words...feels like a George Martin production (complimentary) --Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)...pub music. okay we take a turn into "Jet" again. this five minute song does not justify its length --Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five...Sir Paul is tapping into some type of demon for his voice here. I like it --Helen Wheels (US bonus track)...it's fun but it doesn't make the album better. I understand why it was initially left off

Some songs are only mediocre. But band on a run, jet, let me roll it and 1985 are bangers. I guess im a sucker for Paul.

This does quite a lot of self-referencing other songs on the album in ways that feel a little shoe-horned, musically. I think it still sounds awesome, McCartney is an amazing song-writer, but the sound of the band as a whole lacks a punch and cohesion that the Beatles always, ALWAYS had.

Paul McCartney is my favorite Beatle. That said, like Ethan Hawke said in that video, The Beatles work best as a whole, greater than the sum and all that. I love some of the songs here but by the end (around when they started bringing in the melodies from the previous tracks) it dawned on my that McCartney sometimes skews a little too cute on his own. Did the other Beatles temper these impulses only for them to come out stronger when he was surrounded by yes-men? Or did it happen as he aged? We may never know. Still, pretty darn enjoyable.

It's not Beatles, but still good

wait……. this isn’t let it be??? this was pleasing to my ear

3.7

What looked like a front-loaded album on Spotify streams, I actually found to get better and better. There's simply not a bad song on this album. Well produced, full of catchy hooks and tight grooves. Faves: Jet, Mrs. Vandebilt, Let Me Roll It, Mamunia, Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five

Band on the run - 5 Jet - 5 Bluebird - 2 Mrs. vandebilt - 4 Let me roll it - 4 Mamunia - 3 No words - 3 Picasso's last words (drink to me) - 3 Nineteen hundred and eight-five - 4

such a pleasant album, i was bopping my head the entire time ! the guitars sound amazing as well, paul mccartney is fantastic

You know, I liked it, I didn't love it. I loved some of it, but maybe i got a bit distracted from the rest of it? Now who shoulders does the responsibility for thay lay on? I'd rather it wasnt mine, so I'll happily argue it was some deficiency in Paul McCartney. Probably the truth is more of a split the difference situation.

Classic post Beatles goodness

Everyone knows the title track. It's brilliant! Beautiful melodies, catchy, well thought through pace changes... it's a classic for a reason. How is the rest of the album? Well... Jet is another classic. Not quite as good as the title track, but close. Bluebird is a change of pace... and a weird weird song. Mrs Vanderbilt has a nice melody. Very CCR. Let me Roll It is melodically beautiful, but it's another song with pretty weak lyrics. Picasso's Last Words is just a bit pretentious.

I haven’t heard much rock music at all, but this album might be the trigger for a change. Before anything else, I would like to appreciate the pure hype that this record brought to me; I haven’t been this excited to hear old music in a second if I’m being completely honest. There were two specific things about this album that kept me hooked: Unique song structures that didn’t shy away from unexpected detours and beautifully minimalistic song writing that gave each track strong identities. Genuinely, what more can you ask from an album like this? Anyways, great album, would recommend.

A great album

Ok I see why they knighted him, this album was an incredible listen. I mean there wasn’t a dull moment for me on here!

5/5 minus 1 for general corniness

quite good.not nearly as cheesy as i thought i remembered

It's okay

Woulda been 3 stars without band on the run

This is a classic and I enjoyed it overall!

Very good album but didnt strike me enough to get a 5

7/10

⭐︎4.5 シングルにもなった名曲を収録したアルバム。特にコンセプトは感じられないが、名曲揃いで聴いていて楽しい。中でもバンドオンザランの楽曲構成は今聴いても個性的。

The title track is one of those songs with a complete mid-song change that could’ve been 2 or even 3 songs that Paul is famous for. His voice can sound so smooth but when he kicks it up, it’s a great rock n roll growl. “Let Me Roll It” is one of my favorite McCartney songs—that double hi-hat gets me every time. I grew up listening to Paul and the rest of the Beatles thanks to my mom—Ram is still in my heavy rotation— so there’s a soft spot for them in me, but it’s still a wonderful album.

I liked Mrs. Vanderbilt a lot. I’ve always been more of a Lennon fan but I recognize the genius of McCartney and this album is genius.

he’s like really good

I really liked this. Listened through twice

Det va helt ok, æ har allerede glemt kordan det hørtes ut men det va på ingen måte fornærmanes mens æ lytta på det.

I really like this. It's catchy and silly. Wish No Words was longer. I liked how weird they got with Picassos last words, I thought it was cool how they kept bringing back leitmotifs in some of the songs. Jet is a banger.

Great album. Doesn’t need any comparisons to the Beatles. Take it for what it is.

Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Let Me Roll It, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five It's been a while since I've had an instantly-connectable, instantly-likable song on an album. Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five is a certified banger. Sure, there have been plenty of album that I've enjoyed right away, had prior experience with, or have since come to enjoy over time, but this track, right out of the gate is instantly "bop-able". It sounds fresh as fuck. Funky. Could have come out last year. Something Danger Mouse would have collaborated on with someone. There's a Danger Mouse + Karen O collab that reminds me of this song. I think its all in the funky bass line. Anyways, the rest of the album is quite excellent and easily consumable too. Easy 4.

fav songs: band on the run jet bluebird let me roll it no words nineteen hundred and eighty five collage, melodic, uptight 75/100

Not quite the Beatles or solo George Harrison but the best of McCartney post Beatles tenure.

I remember the first time hearing the song Band On The Run and being so excited that there was a Beatles album I wasn't familiar with, only to find out about the Beatles solo careers. Probably Paul's most recognizable solo songs and a great record through and through.

The band the Beatles could have been

I own and really like the song Band on the Run. I didn’t know any of the other songs on this album. I like Paul McCartney’s voice although he is not my favorite Beatle. It was enjoyable.

Ya escuchado

conocía el primer tema del disco. temazo indeed

A classic

did not listen as much as i would’ve wanted to, it’s good but the tracks are hella long bro

It’s a 3 without the first two tracks, which are two of my favorite songs across all genres

I don't know if there has ever been a human being better at writing hooks than Paul McCartney.

As the first album of the challenge, Band on the Run was a great start. It doesn’t feel dated, and the sound is warm and easy to get into. The title track was my favourite for how it moves through different sections, and “Bluebird” stood out for its laid-back feel and saxophone. A really enjoyable listen overall.

Вайбы Римуса присутствуют. Особенно в "no words". Сам альбом in general имеет хорошее качество. Работа была проделана хорошая

This great throughout. Band on the Run is the standout for me and really shows just how talented a songwriter he is. Don’t get bored at all and each song provided something different.

Great album. I mean really good!!! Highlights for me: “Band on the Run” “Mrs. Vandebilt” “Let Me Roll It” “Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five”

Ooh nice, a classic for sure! Paul McCartney still in fine form only a few years after the end of The Beatles. Great songs and arrangements and of course that great ‘70s analogue sound. Definitely a must listen for any music fan but hopefully with some interest in learning the history of how this fits into Paul McCartney’s vast discography.

Very very good! Every song I feel like has that special sauce except for the last one

This surprised me in a good way. I’m not the hugest fan of Paul McCartney’s solo stuff but this was solid

Enjoyed listening to the entire album. Some songs weren’t that great though

I pride myself on finding anything Beatles and Beatles-adjacent mostly overrated. But I genuinely loved this.

You can tell this album has a defining sound of the decade, great song writing and musicality.

Unverzichtbar

Liked it overall. Fun sounds, easy listen. Faves were Jet and Mrs. V.

Legendary goed album

Better than I remember, though it does go on for too long.

Mmmm that's an interesting one... If I answered a few years ago it would be a 5. Absolutely It's the first McCartney solo that I loved and I absolutely still do. But in the last year or so I've invested in Paul's catalog a lot and tend to favor a bit more ather record in his discography. It doesn't take away anything from it being an incredible pop record. Something well performed and produced. So many bangers aswell. No words, Mrs. , mamunia, and two of the best mccartney songs ever- nineteen and the title track. But perspective does influence the score here. A very very high 4.

Good pop all around. And doesn't contain Temporary Secretary so it's already miles above some of Paul's other work.

should have made a joint name like geezer

This was always my favorite of the Beatles solo albums. I listened to it quite a lot back in the mid 70's during the most intense Beatles phase of my life. Back then I had a much greater appreciation for Paul than the others, not really appreciating John and George's solo outputs much till I was older. I was excited to listen to this today, and really hoping it held up in my esteem. And for the most part it did. I think the title song is one of the best things Paul's ever done. What struck me with this listen was that I loved the beginning of the record and the ending of the record, but a few of the songs in the middle just weren't as interesting as they used to be. The stretch from Let Me Roll It to No Words was kinda boring actually. The rest of the album I think remains top notch for me.

Classic Paul

Really enjoyed this one. It started strong, had interesting call backs to prior songs on album, and I didn’t have the desire to skip any songs.

Love this album- almost all the way through.

Some great stuff but band on the run is the standout

Classic album

its aight

"You idiot, he was the most talented one!" I enjoyed this.

Paul is the best Beetle

It’s a great album by Paul, but it’s not as great as Ram. This was much less experimental - except for the penultimate track - than Ram, and I missed that boldness a bit. It’s still worth a hearty listen, for sure.

Addressing the top review head on, I agree that Paul doesn't need to be incessantly compared to John and that this album is stronger than the majority of John's solo career (album for album Paul wins, John might have the strongest single...). However, that doesn't make this thing bulletproof. It's a really good album, Paul's insane aptitude for melody and harmony and simple feeling lyrics is on full display and he's definitely having more fun trying out some ideas he maybe hadn't before. The gang vocals are sick. The picasso mini jet and cry for me collage was cool although I was hoping for more of a what a catch donnie moment. 1985 is a sick song to end on. Big hits, good filler, great ending, I like this one! It's no take care though.

Very light and fun listen. A bit dated, mas still a good listen if you want to expand your taste with music from "back then"

Better than anything the Beatles ever did.

I finally got to see one of the Beatles perform live, when I went to see Macca play an unbelievable set in Manchester in 2024. The 81 year old played for three hours straight without stopping for a breath. Obviously there were a lot of Beatles numbers in his setlist, but the songs he played from his solo career held up very well against them. Four of those were from this album. "Band On The Run" (both the song and the album) was my entry point to Paul McCartney's solo work. Back as a teenager, discovering The Beatles, I think I might have actually heard the song for the first time and not immediately realised that it was Macca. My eyes widened as Part I seamlessly moved into Part II, one of my favorite moments in music full stop. That guitar riff and the "If I ever get out of here" melody was, and is, one of the coolest things I've ever heard. At about 47 seconds long, it makes up less than one fifth of the song, but its impact on me was massive. When it came to The Beatles, I was always more of a John fan than Paul. I gravitated towards songs like "Dear Prudence", or "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" over the likes of "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da" or "Hello Goodbye". Not to say that I didn't enjoy the latter songs, I loved pretty much everything I heard from The Beatles, but John's songwriting always aligned with my taste more back then. Paul's songwriting was always the more catchy, but (with exceptions) it was often less gritty than Lennon's. Macca is a musical genius, especially when it comes to melody. I mean he's one half of the best songwriting duo in history. But, I've realised more and more that he was also quite experimental. Let's not forget that he's a big part of the driving force behind "A Day In The Life", and he wrote "Helter Skelter". Just focusing on this album, you have the suite structure of three songs in one for the title track, you have the driving piano riff and unusual structure of "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five", and you have whatever the hell "Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)" is. And then you have "Jet", one of my favourite Macca songs of all time. When the song moves from the "oooos" of the chorus with that unexpected shift to the rocking middle section, it was yet another moment that caused my teenage eyes to widen. Not just the experimental nature of the sudden shift in tone, but also how hardcore and intense that section was. I'm no longer a teenager, and almost 30 years later, my eyes still widen when Jet rocks out. Overall the album is exceptional. "Bluebird" is an underrated classic, one that would fit in nicely on a later Beatles album; "Mrs Vandebilt" is great craic and catchy as hell; "Let Me Roll It" switches between smooth and gritty with that amazing guitar riff. And the album is home to two of the great moments in modern music: when the band go on the run, and when jet takes off. 4.5 stars.

Already starting off really strong—I love the vibe and instrumental of the first track. The whole album feels nostalgic and calm, which is expected given how old it is, but it still holds up beautifully. I ended up enjoying it a lot, and as I’m writing this, I’m already on the last song. Favorite from the album: Mamunia

I feel like early 70s Paul could either completely knock it out of the park or get too much in his own way. This feels like him finally trying to seriously breakthrough, and break free. So many classics on this album it’s hard to believe they’re all here

Goofy, but sounds oh so very good

Not a fan

It's not the Beatles but it's solid. 4

All 4 members legitimately have a claim to have each written some of the greatest songs ever made, and all of their solo careers have something to offer. BotR is no exception. Several exceptional pop hits with still-excellent production all throughout

First half of this album was groundbreaking, interesting and fun--all worthy of PM. Last half-easily forgotten. Last couple of songs listen-worthy, but I'd settle for the first 4-5 songs and move on.

Loved it the first time- the second time I found it slightly repetitive!

I listened to this album on my way to and back from a dentist appointment. My teeth ached for half an hour afterwards. The first of many Beatles side projects which will inevitably appear on this list, I knew very little of Wings going on, only being familiar with the song Arrow. However, I have a lot of respect for McCartney as a songwriter, and I was excited to see what his work would sound like without the rest of The Beatles around him. As this list familiarizes me more and more with The Beatles as both a unit and as individuals, I'm curious to see how much the band in totality represents a coming-together of their respective voices; I can hear traces of Abbey Road in Band On The Run, especially in the use of repeating refrains between different songs on the album (a simple musical trick which I am always a sucker for). While I generally don't find this individual album quite as compelling as the sum of parts represented by The Beatles, Wings is still a talented and enjoyable band in their own right. My favorite moments here are the songs which embrace a higher energy and catchier lyricism, something which McCartney can clearly deliver in spades, and I can not wait to become even more appreciative of his talents as this list carries on. Highlights: Band On The Run, Jet, Mrs. Vandebilt, Mamunia, Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me), Nineteen Hundred And Eighthy Five

I think this a simple and straightforward album that is a good listen but I was expecting a bit more. Band on the run and Mamunia are fantastic songs but there’s something that makes me want more. I would return to this album and I think it deserves a 4 but it’s a cuspy 4.

Some great bangers again and overall enjoyed

Always been a fan of The Beatles but haven’t listened much to McCartney after The Beatles-era. The few songs I have heard didn’t make me want to look much further. This album was better than i anticipated, though. It’s an even and pleasant experience, and I found a few songs I really liked. Big plus is that none of the songs are skipable. Favourite songs: Mrs Vanderbilt, Let Me Roll it, Band on The Run,.

I was ready to hate this as just another batch of Dad Rock but honestly, this is pretty good. Very Paul McCartney in all of the standard great and also sometimes a bit boring ways. Solid album, I'm glad it was short.

For some reason I expected this to be quite bad, apart from Band on the Run (banger) I had a banging time with this! Mrs Vanderbilt slips! Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five is a great closer! This might be my favourite Beatles/Beatles adjacent album I've heard in my life

The best post Beatles release there is. "Let Me Roll It" is maybe Paul's best song and there are like 4 other certified hits on here. Great album

Bit of a weaker middle but loved the start and ending. First 4+ in a while

Mature, melodic, playful at times, varied and satisfying.

Bell’album, sembrano un po’ i beatles ma non lo sono

I really like Paul McCartney and this album. I think all the songs fit together very well, but they are not necessarily repetitive, which is nice. It's a good album for a full listen. Mf didn't need the Beatles to make hits.

Paul has always been my favorite Beatle... So why the hell did it take so long for me to listen to this? My first run through the album today was great. The second was even better. Sir Paul McCartney is truly one of the greatest song writers to ever walk the face of the earth and even though without the other Beatles he still shines.

Easy listen. Feels like a good road trip album. Classic.

It's actually a very fun album to listen to!

Love the first two songs on this album and was great to hear some not so popular songs

3.75

Favorite song was Nineteen Hundred Eighty Five! Overall fun to listen to, good beats for the morning while showering and making coffee.

Compelling music. Favorites 1. Band On The Run 2. Jet 9. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

4/5

divos

Awesome