Band of the Hand (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Band of the Hand

|thumb|The cover of the German 12" single release of "Band of the Hand"
Artist = Bob Dylan
Album = Band of the Hand Soundtrack
A-side = Band of the Hand
B-side = Joe's Death (Michael Rubini instrumental)
Released = April, 1986
Format = 7" and 12"
Genre = Movie Theme Song
Recorded = Festival Studios, Sydney, Australia, February 9 & 10, 1986
Length = 4:34
Label = MCA
Writer = Bob Dylan
Producer = Tom Petty
Chronology = Bob Dylan discography
Last single = When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky, 1985
This single = Band of the Hand, 1986
Next single = Got My Mind Made Up, 1986

"“Band of the Hand”" is a song written and recorded by Bob Dylan as the theme for the 1986 movie of the same name, which was directed by Paul Michael Glaser and produced by Michael Mann. Dylan recorded on song while on tour in Sydney, Australia on February 9 and 10, 1986. [ [http://www.bjorner.com/DSN07660%20-%201986%20Down%20Under%20Tour.htm the Bob Dylan Recording Sessions] ] Dylan is backed on the recording by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and a group of background singers including Stevie Nicks. The recording was produced by Tom Petty. [Op. cit.]

The lyrics of the song emphasize the central theme of the movie: the ruthlessness of the vigilante justice which will be used to confront the immorality of the criminal drug world. Although the lyrics posted on Dylan’s official website indicate that the refrain for the song consists of the title, “band of the hand,” repeated four times in succession, the chorus that is sung on the recording is clearly “It’s hell time, man,” which is given as the subtitle of the song. [ [http://bobdylan.com/songs/bandhand.html Lyrics to "Band of the Hand (It's Hell Time, Man)" at BobDylan.com] ]

The song was released on the soundtrack album, "Band of the Hand" (MCA-6167, 1986) and also as both a 45 rpm 7” single (MCA-52811, 1986) and as 12” single (MCA-23633, 1986). Both singles were backed on the B-side by “Joe’s Death,” an instrumental from the Michael Rubini soundtrack to the film. All three formats are currently deleted. The version of the song that is heard in the film is slightly longer, and has a different mix than that heard on any of the vinyl releases. [ [http://www.bjorner.com/DSN07660%20-%201986%20Down%20Under%20Tour.htm the Bob Dylan Recording Sessions] ]

The single reached number 28 on the Billboard chart. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=4511&model.vnuAlbumId=785390 Bob Dylan Billboard Chart History] ]

Personnel

*Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
*Tom Petty (vocal & guitar, also producer)
*Mike Campbell (guitar)
*Benmont Tench (keyboards)
*Howie Epstein (bass)
*Stan Lynch (drums)
*Debra Byrd (backing vocals)
*Queen Esther Marrow (backing vocals)
*Stevie Nicks (backing vocals)
*Madelyn Quebec (backing vocals)
*Elisecia Wright (backing vocals) [ [http://www.bjorner.com/DSN07660%20-%201986%20Down%20Under%20Tour.htm the Bob Dylan Recording Sessions] ]

References