Band of the Hand (song)

"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.[1]

"Band of the Hand"
German single cover
Single by Bob Dylan
from the album Band of the Hand Soundtrack
B-side"Joe's Death (Michael Rubini instrumental)"
ReleasedApril 21, 1986
RecordedFebruary 9–10, 1986
StudioFestival, Sydney, Australia
GenreRock
Length4:34
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)Bob Dylan
Producer(s)Tom Petty
Bob Dylan singles chronology
"When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky"
(1986)		 "Band of the Hand"
(1986)		 "Got My Mind Made Up"
(1988)

Overview

The lyrics of the song emphasize the central theme of the movie: the ruthlessness of the vigilante justice that 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.[2]

Cash Box said "Great gospel background vocals and tight-but-loose production make this a real send up."[3]

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.[4] All three versions of the song are currently out of print, but the soundtrack album is available at iTunes. 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.[1]

Dylan and Petty would later become members of the Traveling Wilburys.[5]

Personnel

References
  1. "the Bob Dylan Recording Sessions". Bjorner.com. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  2. Lyrics to "Band of the Hand (It's Hell Time, Man)"; BobDylan.com
  3. "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. May 3, 1986. p. 13. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  4. "1986". searchingforagem.com. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  5. Kintner, Thomas (2021-04-15). "'Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1': Just Your Basic Supergroup". Best Classic Bands. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
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