Mamunia
1974 single by Paul McCartney and Wings
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"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 | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Paul McCartney | |||
| Wings singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Mamunia" on YouTube | ||||
| Band on the Run track listing | ||||
9 tracks | ||||
Music and lyrics
"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 (مامونية) 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
- Paul McCartney – lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar
- Linda McCartney – backing vocals, keyboards
- Denny Laine – backing vocals, guitar
Music video
Covers
Don Fleming covered "Mamunia" on his 2003 Band on the Run remake.[10] Larry Page covered the song on his mid-1990s albums John Paul George Ringo and Imagine.[11]
Critics comments
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".[12] Authors Robert Dimery and Michael Lydon described "Mamunia" as a "solid side-two track".[13] Paul McCartney biographer Peter Carlin claimed that "Mamunia" "takes a more laid-back approach to the sentiment in [The Beatles' song] 'Rain.'"[14]