Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings (1974)

Band on the Run is the title song from Paul McCartney and Wings' Band on the Run album. The single sold one million copies in 1974 in the U.S., where it reached number 1, and it went to number 3 in the UK.

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The song is a three part medley. The parts are thematically related, but do not necessarily form a continuous narrative. Paul McCartney was inspired by George Harrison in the first line of the second part of the medley: "If we ever get out of here." He reportedly said these words during one of the Beatles' many business meetings.

The U.S. radio edit was 3:50 in length. The difference was largely caused by the removal of the middle or the second part of the song, as well as the verse that starts with "Well, the undertaker drew a heavy sigh..."

The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies. The song features prominently on all McCartney/Wings compilations as well as McCartney's live shows. It was the second of five number-one singles for the band on the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard ranked it number 22 on its Top Pop Singles of 1974 year-end chart.