BOB DYLAN
BAND OF THE HAND (It's Hell Time, Man)
1986
Band of the Hand, written and recorded by Bob Dylan as Soundtrack Opening Theme for the eponymous 1986 movie, was recorded on tour in Sydney Australia, February 9 and 10, 1986. Dylan is backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (backup band '86 tour) with a group of background sisters and Stevie Nicks singing backing vocals. The title track appeared on the soundtrack and as a single, but has never been released.
BotH's lyrics emphasize the central theme's vigilante justice used to confront the criminal drug-world. Although titled "BotH," the song's refrain is sung, "It's Hell Time, Man."
BotH,"was released as Soundtrack LP, 45", 7" AND 12" single, 1986.
The film's plot involves a group of juvenile delinquents in their teens who, doomed to be prosecuted as adults for their crimes, take part in a new and experimental "program," led by a Vietnam Vet/Native American from the Everglades of Florida. The teens must learn to survive in the swamp and work together. Upon completion of the program, the group buy a vacant house in dangerous 1980s Miami and slowly rebuild the neighborhood--kicking out the pimps, prostitutes and drug dealers. The film's climax has the group taking the fight directly to a drug manufacturing facility, equipped with an "M-134 Mini-gun."
DISCOG:
A-side: "Band of the Hand"
Released: April 21, 1986
Recorded: Festival Studios, Sydney, Australia
February 9 & 10, 1986
Length: 4:34
PERSONNEL
* Tom Petty (vocal & guitar) * Mike Campbell (guitar) * Benmont Tench (keyboards) * Howie Epstein (bass) * Stan Lynch (drums)
+
*Stevie Nicks, Debra Byrd, Queen Esther Marrow, Madelyn Quebec, Elisecia Wright (background vocals)
*Both singles were backed on the B-side by 'Joe's Death,' an instrumental from the Michael Rubini soundtrack.
**All three formats are currently deleted.
***This version is slightly longer and contains a different mix than that heard on vinyl.
****Stevie Nicks sings backing vocals! (I'm assuming there may have been insufflation.)
*****Reminiscent of "Clean-Cut Kid," recorded during the 'Infidels' sessions but unfinished until 'Empire Burlesque," where it was recorded at Ocean Way Studio in Miami, 'CCK' is filled with the same, sharp, socio-political commentary of "Band of the Hand (It's Hell Time, Man)". Both 'deal' in average American kids who are radically altered by their experience in War: "CCK"'s Vietnam and "BotH"'s Street-Drug War. Village Voice critic, Robert Christgau praised 'CCK' as "the toughest Vietnam Vet song yet," and record producer, Maury O'Rourk would later go on to include "Clean Cut Kid" on Linda Gail Lewis's 'International Affair' [Robert Christgau: 'A-' 1991 Village Voice "Pazz and Jop"]. This was Jerry Lee Lewis' sister's first solo LP in almost 20 years, released in 199 on Paris-based, "New Rose Records."
~NICHOPOULOOZA
lyrics
It's Hell Time Man
It's Hell Time Man
It's Hell Time Man
Down these streets the fools rule
There's no freedom or self respect,
A knife's point or a trip to the joint
Is about all you can expect.
They kill people here who stand up for their rights, The system's just too damned corrupt
It's always the same, the name of the game
Is who do you know higher up well.
It's Hell Time Man
It's Hell Time Man
It's Hell Time Man
It's Hell Time Man
The blacks and the whites,
The idiotic, the exotic,
Wealth is a filthy rag
So erotic so unpatriotic
So wrapped up in the American flag.
Witchcraft scum exploiting the dumb,
Turning children into punks and slaves
Whose heroes and healers are rich drug dealers Who should be put in their graves.
It's Hell Time Man
It's Hell Time Man
It's Hell Time Man
It's Hell Time Man
Listen to me Mr. Pussyman
This might be your last night in a bed so soft. We're not pimps on the make, politicians on the take, You can't pay us off.
We're gonna blow up your home of Voodoo
And watch it burn without any regret
We got the power we're the new government,
You just don't know it yet.
It's Hell Time Man
It's Hell Time Man
For all of my brothers from Vietnam
And my uncles from World War II,
I'd like to say that it's countdown time now
And we're gonna do what the law should do.
And for you pretty baby,
I know you've seen it all.
I know your story is too painful to share.
One day though you'll be talking in your sleep.And when you do, I wanna be there yeaahhh.
It's Hell Time Man
It's Hell Time Man
Band of The Hand
It's Hell Time Man
Band of The Hand
It's Hell Time Man
Band of The Hand
It's Hell Time Man