Wanderlust
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- Album This song officially appears on the Tug Of War Official album.
- Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 1980 (Paul McCartney was 38 years old)
Song facts
“Wanderlust” is a song from 1982 album “Tug Of War“.
We were recording in the Virgin Islands for the album which became London Town. We had hired a mobile studio and put it on a boat and it was a holiday with the kids and everything. During that time we were staying on a boat with a very macho captain who had made his fortune in condominiums.
We fell out with him, and I said “Who wants to stay on your lousy tub?” and we went on to a trimaran called Wanderlust. So Wanderlust became associated with freedom, breaking away from oppression – let’s get out of here. Years later I wrote this song based on this experience.
Paul McCartney – From the “Give My Regards To Broad Street” book, Pavilion Books, 1984
Is “Wanderlust” an emotional song?
It’s actually a personal experience. What happened was that we were recording (we went out to the Virgin Islands to record an album called ‘London Town‘) and we were on boats, in a little bay recording for a month. The captain of the boat that we were on was a little, sort of, heavier than the other captains – you know, he sort of took it a little more seriously – and at some stage we had a sort of argument with him, and I sort of said, “You know, we don’t need all this aggro stuff”, and we wanted to get off onto this other boat that happened to be in the harbour. These people had said we could come on this, and this boat happened to be called “Wanderlust”, so it became like a symbol of freedom to me, this catamaran, as it was, called “Wanderlust”. We only actually stayed one night on it, but it was like, after this hassling that this other fellow had given us, to get onto this boat was like freedom, you know, so the song for me is actually just carrying on the idea. You know, just head us out to sea and take us away from all these headaches, and just wanderlust kind of free.
Paul McCartney – From an interview for Club Sandwich, 1982
Paul McCartney wanted George Harrison to add a guitar solo to the song “Wanderlust“. He, his wife Linda, George Martin (producer of the album) and Denny Laine went visiting George at his house, Friar Park, where he had located his personal studio (named FPSHOT – Friar Park Studio, Henley-On-Thames). Before working on “Wanderlust“, George Harrison asked Paul to record some backing vocals for his song “All Those Years Ago“. In the end, the guitar overdub for “Wanderlust” was never recorded. And instead of a guitar solo, McCartney decided to use a brass ensemble.
I enjoyed doing that track, and the brass ensemble was great; we did that back in England. They were fabulous, the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. I think, listening to the record again recently, I didn’t use the brass ensemble enough. They could have done more; they could have been more often in the song, instead of just the solo.
Paul McCartney – from the Tug Of War Archive Collection, 2015
“Wanderlust” was re-recorded for the McCartney’s 1984 movie, “Give My Regards To Broad Street“ (still with the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble). The complete version lasting 4:07 appeared on the CD version of the soundtrack, while a shortened 2:48 version was released on the LP version.
Last updated on February 9, 2022
Lyrics
Light out Wanderlust
Head us out to sea
Captain says there'll be a bust
This one's not for me
Take us from the dark
Out where we can see
Captain's out to make his mark
This one's not to be
Light out Wanderlust
Help us to be free
Light out Wanderlust
Do it just for me
Wanderlust
Oh where did I go wrong my love?
What petty crime was I found guilty of?
What better time to find a brand new day?
Oh - Wanderlust away
Light out Wanderlust
Help us to be free
Light out Wanderlust
Do it just for me
Wanderlust
Captain's out to make his mark
This one's not to be
Light out Wanderlust
Head us out to sea
Captain says there'll be a bust
This one's not for me
COUNTER MELODY
Oh where did I go wrong my love?
What petty crime was I found guilty of?
What better time to find a brand new day?
Oh Wanderlust away
Dropping a line
Maybe this time
It's Wanderlust for me
Officially appears on
Official album • Released in 1982
3:49 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Arrangement, Backing vocals, Bass, Piano, Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- Eric Stewart :
- Backing vocals
- George Martin :
- Arrangement, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Jon Jacobs :
- Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
- Keith Harvey :
- Cello
- Adrian Sheppard :
- Drums, Percussion
- Philip Jones :
- Trumpet (?)
- John Underwood :
- Viola
- Patrick Halling :
- Violin
- Dennis Vigay :
- Cello
- Laurie Lewis :
- Violin
- Galina Solodchin :
- Violin
- Michael Rennie :
- Violin
- George Turnlund :
- Viola
- Ken Essex :
- Viola
- Alexander Kok :
- Cello
- Peter Willison :
- Cello
- Alan Peters :
- Violin
- David Ogden :
- Violin
- Jeff Bryant :
- French horn (?)
- Philip Jones Brass Ensemble :
- Brass instruments
- Paul Archibald :
- Trumpet (?)
- James Watson :
- Trumpet (?)
- Michael Thompson :
- French horn (?)
- John Pigneguy :
- French horn (?)
- Raymond Premu :
- Bass trombone (?)
- Session Recording:
- Jan 02, 1981
- Studio :
- Parkgate Studio, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- July 1981
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- Oct 01, 1981
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London, UK
Give My Regards To Broad Street (CD version)
Official album • Released in 1984
4:07 • Studio version • B • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Vocal
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Philip Jones :
- Trumpet
- Stuart Breed :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- John Kelly :
- Recording engineer (?)
- Jeff Bryant :
- French horn
- Philip Jones Brass Ensemble :
- Brass instruments
- Paul Archibald :
- Trumpet
- James Watson :
- Trumpet
- Michael Thompson :
- French horn
- John Pigneguy :
- French horn
- Raymond Premu :
- Bass trombone
- Session Recording:
- February - March 1983 ?
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London, UK
Give My Regards To Broad Street (LP version)
Official album • Released in 1984
2:48 • Studio version • B1 • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Vocal
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Philip Jones :
- Trumpet
- Stuart Breed :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- John Kelly :
- Recording engineer (?)
- Jeff Bryant :
- French horn
- Philip Jones Brass Ensemble :
- Brass instruments
- Paul Archibald :
- Trumpet
- James Watson :
- Trumpet
- Michael Thompson :
- French horn
- John Pigneguy :
- French horn
- Raymond Premu :
- Bass trombone
- Session Recording:
- February - March 1983 ?
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London, UK
Give My Regards To Broad Street (1993)
Official album • Released in 1993
4:07 • Studio version • B • Stereo • 1993 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Vocal
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Philip Jones :
- Trumpet
- Stuart Breed :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- John Kelly :
- Recording engineer (?)
- Jeff Bryant :
- French horn
- Philip Jones Brass Ensemble :
- Brass instruments
- Paul Archibald :
- Trumpet
- James Watson :
- Trumpet
- Michael Thompson :
- French horn
- John Pigneguy :
- French horn
- Raymond Premu :
- Bass trombone
- Session Recording:
- February - March 1983 ?
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London, UK
Official album • Released in 1993
3:49 • Studio version • A1993 • 1993 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Arrangement, Backing vocals, Bass, Piano, Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- Eric Stewart :
- Backing vocals
- George Martin :
- Arrangement, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Jon Jacobs :
- Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
- Keith Harvey :
- Cello
- Adrian Sheppard :
- Drums, Percussion
- Philip Jones :
- Trumpet (?)
- John Underwood :
- Viola
- Patrick Halling :
- Violin
- Dennis Vigay :
- Cello
- Laurie Lewis :
- Violin
- Galina Solodchin :
- Violin
- Michael Rennie :
- Violin
- George Turnlund :
- Viola
- Ken Essex :
- Viola
- Alexander Kok :
- Cello
- Peter Willison :
- Cello
- Alan Peters :
- Violin
- David Ogden :
- Violin
- Jeff Bryant :
- French horn (?)
- Philip Jones Brass Ensemble :
- Brass instruments
- Paul Archibald :
- Trumpet (?)
- James Watson :
- Trumpet (?)
- Michael Thompson :
- French horn (?)
- John Pigneguy :
- French horn (?)
- Raymond Premu :
- Bass trombone (?)
- Session Recording:
- Jan 02, 1981
- Studio :
- Parkgate Studio, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- July 1981
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- Oct 01, 1981
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London, UK
Tug Of War - Archive Collection
Official album • Released in 2015
3:49 • Studio version • C • 2015 remix
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Arrangement, Backing vocals, Bass, Piano, Remixing, Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- Eric Stewart :
- Backing vocals
- George Martin :
- Arrangement, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Jon Jacobs :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Keith Harvey :
- Cello
- Adrian Sheppard :
- Drums, Percussion
- Philip Jones :
- Trumpet (?)
- John Underwood :
- Viola
- Patrick Halling :
- Violin
- Dennis Vigay :
- Cello
- Laurie Lewis :
- Violin
- Galina Solodchin :
- Violin
- Michael Rennie :
- Violin
- George Turnlund :
- Viola
- Ken Essex :
- Viola
- Alexander Kok :
- Cello
- Peter Willison :
- Cello
- Alan Peters :
- Violin
- David Ogden :
- Violin
- Jeff Bryant :
- French horn (?)
- Alex Wharton :
- Mastering
- Steve Orchard :
- Remixing
- Philip Jones Brass Ensemble :
- Brass instruments
- Paul Archibald :
- Trumpet (?)
- James Watson :
- Trumpet (?)
- Michael Thompson :
- French horn (?)
- John Pigneguy :
- French horn (?)
- Raymond Premu :
- Bass trombone (?)
- Session Recording:
- Jan 02, 1981
- Studio :
- Parkgate Studio, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- July 1981
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- March 2-30, 2015
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Tug Of War - Archive Collection
Official album • Released in 2015
1:44 • Demo • D
- Alex Wharton :
- Mastering
- Session Recording & mixing:
- August 1980
- Studio :
- Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
Tug Of War - Archive Collection
Official album • Released in 2015
3:51 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Arrangement, Backing vocals, Bass, Piano, Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- Eric Stewart :
- Backing vocals
- George Martin :
- Arrangement, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Jon Jacobs :
- Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
- Keith Harvey :
- Cello
- Adrian Sheppard :
- Drums, Percussion
- Philip Jones :
- Trumpet (?)
- John Underwood :
- Viola
- Patrick Halling :
- Violin
- Dennis Vigay :
- Cello
- Laurie Lewis :
- Violin
- Galina Solodchin :
- Violin
- Michael Rennie :
- Violin
- George Turnlund :
- Viola
- Ken Essex :
- Viola
- Alexander Kok :
- Cello
- Peter Willison :
- Cello
- Alan Peters :
- Violin
- David Ogden :
- Violin
- Jeff Bryant :
- French horn (?)
- Philip Jones Brass Ensemble :
- Brass instruments
- Paul Archibald :
- Trumpet (?)
- James Watson :
- Trumpet (?)
- Michael Thompson :
- French horn (?)
- John Pigneguy :
- French horn (?)
- Raymond Premu :
- Bass trombone (?)
- Session Recording:
- Jan 02, 1981
- Studio :
- Parkgate Studio, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- July 1981
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- Oct 01, 1981
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London, UK
Official album • Released in 2016
3:49 • Studio version • C • 2015 remix
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Arrangement, Backing vocals, Bass, Piano, Remixing, Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- Eric Stewart :
- Backing vocals
- George Martin :
- Arrangement, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Jon Jacobs :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Keith Harvey :
- Cello
- Adrian Sheppard :
- Drums, Percussion
- Philip Jones :
- Trumpet (?)
- John Underwood :
- Viola
- Patrick Halling :
- Violin
- Dennis Vigay :
- Cello
- Laurie Lewis :
- Violin
- Galina Solodchin :
- Violin
- Michael Rennie :
- Violin
- George Turnlund :
- Viola
- Ken Essex :
- Viola
- Alexander Kok :
- Cello
- Peter Willison :
- Cello
- Alan Peters :
- Violin
- David Ogden :
- Violin
- Jeff Bryant :
- French horn (?)
- Alex Wharton :
- Mastering
- Steve Orchard :
- Remixing
- Philip Jones Brass Ensemble :
- Brass instruments
- Paul Archibald :
- Trumpet (?)
- James Watson :
- Trumpet (?)
- Michael Thompson :
- French horn (?)
- John Pigneguy :
- French horn (?)
- Raymond Premu :
- Bass trombone (?)
- Session Recording:
- Jan 02, 1981
- Studio :
- Parkgate Studio, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- July 1981
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- March 2-30, 2015
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Official album • Released in 2016
3:49 • Studio version • C • 2015 remix
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Arrangement, Backing vocals, Bass, Piano, Remixing, Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- Eric Stewart :
- Backing vocals
- George Martin :
- Arrangement, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Jon Jacobs :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Keith Harvey :
- Cello
- Adrian Sheppard :
- Drums, Percussion
- Philip Jones :
- Trumpet (?)
- John Underwood :
- Viola
- Patrick Halling :
- Violin
- Dennis Vigay :
- Cello
- Laurie Lewis :
- Violin
- Galina Solodchin :
- Violin
- Michael Rennie :
- Violin
- George Turnlund :
- Viola
- Ken Essex :
- Viola
- Alexander Kok :
- Cello
- Peter Willison :
- Cello
- Alan Peters :
- Violin
- David Ogden :
- Violin
- Jeff Bryant :
- French horn (?)
- Alex Wharton :
- Mastering
- Steve Orchard :
- Remixing
- Philip Jones Brass Ensemble :
- Brass instruments
- Paul Archibald :
- Trumpet (?)
- James Watson :
- Trumpet (?)
- Michael Thompson :
- French horn (?)
- John Pigneguy :
- French horn (?)
- Raymond Premu :
- Bass trombone (?)
- Session Recording:
- Jan 02, 1981
- Studio :
- Parkgate Studio, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- July 1981
- Studio :
- AIR Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- March 2-30, 2015
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Bootlegs
Latest concerts where Wanderlust has been played
Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.