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Released in 1991

Crises - Where's My Dinner?

Written by Paul McCartneyCarl 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

Master album

Related songs

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

Lyrics

[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

Officially appears on

Live performances

Crises - Where's My Dinner?” has been played in 6 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Crises - Where's My Dinner?” has been played


Going further

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.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

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