First known from a soundcheck performance on September 20, 1978 at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic. This first incarnation of “The Ties That Bind” is a minor-key blues driven hard rock song with some searing lead guitar work. This original arrangement was extensively revised by October 26, 1978, when V1–V3 were recorded at Telegraph Hill in a rehearsal a few days before the final leg of the Darkness Tour.
The band picked it back up in the Spring of 1979 at Telegraph Hill with V4 and V5, still needing work on the second and third verses. V5 is more advanced, and both still retain the drum introduction from the Darkness Tour arrangement that was dropped for the final take. In April, sessions commenced at Power Station studios for album #5, with engineer Bob Clearmountain. After finishing “Roulette”, work began on finishing “The Ties That Bind”, with takes recorded on April 9, 10, and 11. V6 is take 8, chosen as the title track for an album to be released later in the year. V6a was an early mix with different vocals.
WACOCA: People, Life, Style.