I came across this mash-up of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ and Wings’ ‘Band On the Run,’ somebody’s attempt to manufacture a Lennon/McCartney reunion post-Beatles breakup.
It’s an interesting experiment that improves on the latter song (at the expense of the former). But I’m mostly intrigued by the crazy creative things people can do now with basic computer equipment.
It’s similar to the amazing video work people can produce now with a point-and-shoot camera and free editing software. A whole generation of filmmakers will get their start with none of the barriers their predecessors faced.
Today’s budding music producers have complete mixing studios at their fingertips for a few hundred bucks. Today they mash up a couple of songs by former Beatles… maybe tomorrow they’ll mix an award-winning album.
Never seeing no one nice again like you
Mama you, mama you
If I ever get out of here
Thought of giving it all away
To a registered charity
All I need is a pint a day
If I ever get out 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 everyone
For the band on the run
Band 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, Band on the run, Band on the run
Well, the undertaker drew a heavy sight 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
Band on the run
And the jailer man and Sailor Sam were searching every one
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
Band on the run
Band on the run
And the County Judge, who held a grudge
Will search forevermore
For the band on the run
Band on the run
Band on the run
Band on the run
Meet Me In Montauk 
It is.amazing how accessible and affordable technology is so as to allow high quality home produced music and video. I so would have loved to have had all this available when I was recording my music. Who knows? It may have actually led me down the path of becoming a musician, without the barriers of having to sign with a record label or paying hundreds or thousands of dollars to rent studio time with a producer, sound engineer, etc.
As for this mash up, it’s a cool concept, but I don’t think it improves on either song or necessarily creates a better new work. Still, it is a neat experiment.
I love the concept of a mash-up, the attempt to create an original work by reimagining earlier ones. I’m not a great fan of this mash-up, but I have heard many that I like a lot. That might be a fun theme week!