Throwing back to the week of June 8, 1974, we find Paul McCartney atop the Billboard Hot 100 just as he was a decade earlier. Of course, this time it’s with Wings rather than The Beatles.
‘Band on the Run’ is the title track from Wings’ third studio album, and it’s certainly one of the best songs the band ever released. It finds McCartney imagining a band breaking out of jail, an image he says was inspired by increasing police crackdowns on musicians’ marijuana possession.
The lyric was also inspired by The Beatles’ breakup. The line about giving it all away to a registered charity was a nod to something George said during the band’s arguments with their record company.
This song packs three different movements into its five-minute runtime and still finds room for the earworm chorus. This Paul McCartney fellow really knew what he was doing.
[Verse]
Stuck inside these four walls
Sent inside forever
Never seeing no one nice again
Like you
Mama, you
Mama, you
[Part II]
[Verse]
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
If we ever get out of here
[Part III]
[Verse 1]
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”
[Chorus]
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
For the band on the run
Band on the run
[Verse 2]
Well, the undertaker drew a heavy sigh
Seeing no one else had come
And a bell was ringing in the village square
For the rabbits on the run
[Chorus]
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
Yeah, the band on the run
The band on the run
The band on the run
Band on the run
[Verse 3]
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
[Chorus]
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
The band on the run
The band on the run
Band on the run
Meet Me In Montauk 
Definitely a highlight from Paul’s solo career.