Wanderlust

Album: Tug Of War (1982)
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Songfacts®:

  • When Paul McCartney & Wings went out to record their 1978 album London Town, they got permission to record on a boat in the Virgin Islands. One of the boats that was available was called Wanderlust, but they ended up using a different boat. Paul liked the name and later wrote this song about it. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Tommy - Flower Mound, TX
  • "Wanderlust" is a desire to travel and explore.
  • Producer George Martin thought this was Paul's best vocal performance in his solo career and one of his best vocals ever, including with The Beatles. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ken - Louisville, KY
  • The boat captain asked the band to leave when he caught them smoking pot, inspiring the lyrics, "Captain says there'll be a bust, This one's not for me." McCartney explained on his website: "It's all about this captain and him getting uptight about smelling some pot somewhere."
  • This features the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, who also appeared on Pink Floyd's 1970 album, Atom Heart Mother. When McCartney revisited the tune in 2015 for his Archive Collection, he wished the ensemble had a larger presence on the track. "I didn't use the brass ensemble enough," he said. "They could have done more, they could have been more often in the song, instead of just the solo."

Comments: 6

  • Lisa from UsaName of the Catamaran WANDERLUST
  • Mike from UsaIt is isn't about a drug bust but similar. Wings were on a boat in the Virgin Islands called “Wonderlust” recording London Town. The Captain smelled pot, didnt like it, and asked them to leave. Paul explains it in this interview: https://www.paulmccartney.com/news-blogs/news/sticking-out-of-my-back-pocket-wanderlust
  • Mac from San Jose, CaI got this off of someone on Youtube:

    Supposedly...

    This song is about a drug bust he was in on a boat that sailed within the 11 mile limit. They were on it, in a mobile studio, recording the London Town album.

    The captain said they could smoke once out of range but then went back in so he could get Macca & Co in trouble and become famous himself, ie "captain's out to make his mark."

    I read this in some unauthorized, tell-all McCartney biography that I received as a gift some years ago.
  • Julia from Richland, WaThis song is so intricately simple especially during the counter-melody. So beautiful. I want to name my daughter Wanderlust after this song. If I ever have a daughter...
  • Steve from Fenton, MoThis is one of those songs that keeps you asking how McCartney keeps coming up with more great melodies.
  • Ken from Louisville, KyGeorge Martin said he thought this was one of Paul's best-ever vocals, including his Beatle vocals.
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