Band of the Hand (song)
Encyclopedia
"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 the song while on tour in Sydney
, Australia
on February 9 and 10, 1986. 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.
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.
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.
The single reached number 28 on the Billboard chart.
Dylan and Petty would later become members of the Traveling Wilburys.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
as the theme for the 1986 movie of the same name
Band of the Hand
Band of the Hand is an American 1986 crime film directed by Paul Michael Glaser.The film turned into a theatrical release after it failed as a television pilot....
, which was directed by Paul Michael Glaser
Paul Michael Glaser
Paul Michael Glaser is an American actor and director, perhaps best known for his role as Detective David Starsky on the 1970s television series Starsky and Hutch; he also appeared as Captain Jack Steeper on the 1999 to 2005 NBC series Third Watch.-Early life:Glaser, the youngest of three...
and produced by Michael Mann
Michael Mann (film director)
Michael Kenneth Mann is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. For his work, he has received nominations from international organizations and juries, including those at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Cannes and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
. Dylan recorded the song while on tour in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
on February 9 and 10, 1986. Dylan is backed on the recording by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
, and a group of background singers including Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks
Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
. The recording was produced by Tom Petty.
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.
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.
The single reached number 28 on the Billboard chart.
Dylan and Petty would later become members of the Traveling Wilburys.
Personnel
- Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
(vocal & guitar) - Tom PettyTom PettyThomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
(vocal & guitar, also producer) - Mike Campbell (guitar)
- Benmont TenchBenmont TenchBenjamin Montmorency Tench, III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
(keyboards) - Howie EpsteinHowie EpsteinHoward Norman Epstein , was a musician best known for his work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early life:...
(bass) - Stan LynchStan LynchStanley Joseph "Stan" Lynch is an American songwriter and record producer. He was the original drummer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for 18 years until his departure in 1994.- Early years :...
(drums) - Debra ByrdDebra ByrdDebra Byrd is an American vocalist who has worked with Barry Manilow and Bob Dylan, appeared on Broadway, and serves as the head vocal coach for American Idol and Canadian Idol, also singing backup for the contestants....
(backing vocals) - Queen Esther Marrow (backing vocals)
- Stevie NicksStevie NicksStephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
(backing vocals) - Madelyn Quebec (backing vocals)
- Elisecia Wright (backing vocals)