"Mamunia" is a song written by Paul and Linda McCartney that first appeared on Wings' 1973 album Band on the Run. It was also released as the B-side of the "Jet" single in the US, but was replaced by "Let Me Roll It" when "Mamunia" was being considered as a possible future A-side.[2][3][4]
| "Mamunia" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Paul McCartney and Wings | ||||
| from the album Band on the Run | ||||
| A-side | "Jet" | |||
| Released | 28 January 1974 | |||
| Recorded | September 1973 | |||
| Studio | EMI Studios, Lagos, Nigeria | |||
| Genre | Afro-soul[1] | |||
| Length | 4:51 | |||
| Label | Apple | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Paul McCartney | |||
| Wings singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Band on the Run track listing | ||||
9 tracks | ||||
Music and lyrics edit
"Mamunia" was written in Marrakesh early in 1973.[2] The title was inspired by the hotel Mamounia in which the McCartneys were staying at the time.[2][3][4] Mamounia means "safe haven" in Arabic.[2][3][4] According to author John Blaney, McCartney used the term as a "metaphor for rebirth."[2] "Mamunia" is one of several songs on Band on the Run, including the title track and "Bluebird," which espouse a theme of escape and freedom.[5] The song's verses use rain as a metaphor for the difficult times people face.[6] The song's message is not to complain about difficult times because everyone faces tough times and it's better to focus on your "safe haven" during those times.[6]
"Mamunia" was the first song recorded for Band on the Run in Lagos, Nigeria.[2][6] Paul McCartney sings the lead vocals and plays guitar and bass, Denny Laine plays guitar and sings backing vocals, and Linda McCartney provides backing vocals as well.[2] One of McCartney's roadies plays bass drum.[3] Like "Bluebird," "Mamunia" is primarily acoustic.[7] Music critic Robert Christgau described the song's intro as "Afro-soul."[8] The song and the refrain are in the key of A major and the verses are in the key of C major.[6] Authors Chip Madinger and Mark Easter describe the song as "so lightweight it'll float off" but note that it is "relentlessly melodic."[3]
Personnel edit
- Paul McCartney – lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar
- Linda McCartney – backing vocals, keyboards
- Denny Laine – backing vocals, guitar
Critics comments edit
Professor Vincent Benitez described it as a "typical example of McCartney's style of pop music."[6] Blaney describes it as "a bright and breezy pop song, celebrating the good things in life and equally as delightful.[2] Mojo Magazine described it as "a pearl of naive wisdom."[9] Authors Robert Dimery and Michael Lydon described "Mamunia" as a "solid side-two track."[10] Paul McCartney biographer Peter Carlin claimed that "Mamunia" "takes a more laid-back approach to the sentiment in [The Beatles' song] 'Rain.'"[11] Author Tim Riley concurs the song's relationship to "Rain," calling it a "pale rewrite of Lennon's "Rain," but praises its "smart two-key framework."[12]
Music video edit
A music video was made for "Mamunia" in July 1974.[3] Jim Quick was the producer.[3] The video is mostly animated, and Paul McCartney does not appear.[3] It was first shown on The Dave Cash Radio Show."[3] It appears on the 2007 video set The McCartney Years.[13]
Covers edit
Don Fleming covered "Mamunia" on his 2003 Band on the Run remake.[14] Larry Page covered the song on his mid-1990s albums John Paul George Ringo and Imagine.[15]
References edit
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau, Dean of Americans Rock Critics". Robert Christgau's Website. The Christgau Consumer Guide.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Blaney, J. (2007). Lennon and McCartney: together alone: a critical discography of their solo work. Jawbone Press. pp. 85–87. ISBN 978-1-906002-02-2.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Madiger, C. & Easter, M. (2000). Eight Arms to Hold You. 44.1 Productions. p. 189. ISBN 0-615-11724-4.
- ^ a b c McGee, G. (2003). Band on the Run. Taylor Trade. pp. 56, 60, 203. ISBN 0-87833-304-5.
- ^ Rodriguez, R. (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years 1970–1980. Hal Leonard. p. 160. ISBN 978-0-87930-968-8.
- ^ a b c d e Benitez, V.P. (2010). The Words and Music of Paul McCartney: The Solo Years. Praeger. pp. 74–75. ISBN 978-0-313-34969-0.
- ^ Verna, P., ed. (13 March 1999). "Spotlight: Band on the Run". Billboard Magazine. p. 28. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
- ^ Christgau, R. "Band on the Run". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
- ^ The Mojo Collection: 4th Edition. Canongate. 2007. p. 322. ISBN 978-1-84767-643-6.
- ^ Dimery, R. & Lydon, M. (2010). 1001 albums you must hear before you die. Pennsylvania State University. p. 306. ISBN 978-0-7893-2074-2.
- ^ Carlin, P.A. (2009). Paul McCartney: A Life. Simon & Schuster. p. 234. ISBN 978-1-4165-6209-2.
- ^ Riley, T. (2002). Tell Me Why: The Beatles: Album By Album, Song By Song, The Sixties And After. Da Capo. pp. 354, 358. ISBN 978-0-306-81120-3.
- ^ "McCartney Unearths Live Clips, Videos For DVD". Billboard. 24 August 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2007.
- ^ Chadbourne, E. "Band on the Run". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
- ^ "Larry Page: Mamunia". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 October 2012.