Released in 1991
Written by Paul McCartney • Carl Davis
Last updated on July 11, 2019
Album This song officially appears on the Liverpool Oratorio Official album.
Timeline This song was officially released in 1991
“Where’s My Dinner” is the fourth track of the seventh movement – entitled “Crises” – of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, released in 1991.
VII: CRISES. Mary Dee sings to the child inside of her, fretting for it’s future, Shanty arrives home slightly drunk, short-tempered and demanding dinner. They row over money and Shanty’s feelings of inadequacy. Shanty wounds her by doubting her love and Mary Dee storms out – telling him, as she goes, that she is pregnant. In her blind anger and her hurt, she runs in front of a car and is knocked down. In hospital, a nurse wills her to live as – in delirium – Mary Dee sees the ghosts again. She fights to cling on to the life of her baby as the ghosts try to steal it from her. At her bed, Shanty prays, promising to reform if only Mary Dee and the baby are saved.
“Liverpool Oratorio” liner notes
[SHANTY]
Where-s my dinner?
I've been working hard all day
And a man can work up quite an appetite that way
What's for dinner?
Something nourishing and hot?
I could tackle quite a lot of you know what
And all I've got to say to you is 'Why no dinner?
I've got nothing on my plate
It's expected of a mate
Why'd 'ya have to make me wait?
Where's my
[MARY DEE]
This is the way we put out the candle
Farewell to childhood
Deep in the wild wood a fire goes out
And what are we left with
Now we are grown up?
[SHANTY]
This is the way we pull up the anchor
Goodbye to romance
Out on the ocean a good ship is lost
And what are we left with
Now we are grown Up?
[MARY DEE]
Time to be thinking of real life feelings
I must get on
[SHANTY]
Time to be buying those little trinkets
I can't afford
Lord knows
I want to give her the best
But where will
I find the rest of the cash?
[MARY DEE]
It's one mad dash
To fame and fortune
The cymbals clash
And then you're gone
[SHANTY]
So what are my chances
Of getting promotion?
The way things are going
It doesn't look good
[MARY DEE]
What good is complaining
It's getting you nowhere
And I'm in the middle of your whirlwind
In the eye of your storm
Official album • Released in 1991
2:40 • Live • L1
Paul McCartney : Executive producer Eddie Klein : Additional engineer John Timperley : Balance engineer Carl Davis : Orchestra conductor Peter Mew : Additional engineer, Editor John Fraser : Producer Kiri Te Kanawa : Soprano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra : Orchestra Timothy Walden : Solo cello (?) Nic Raine : Assistant to carl davis Martin Astle : Additional engineer Tom Leader : Additional engineer, Editor Jerry Hadley : Tenor
Concert From the concert in Liverpool, United Kingdom on Jun 28, 1991
“Crises - Where's My Dinner?” has been played in 6 concerts.
Jul 27, 2024 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
Jul 21, 2024 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
Jul 20, 2024 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
Jul 18, 2024 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
Liverpool • Liverpool Cathedral • United Kingdom
Jun 29, 1991 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
See all concerts where “Crises - Where's My Dinner?” has been played
Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012
This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.
The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.
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