- Album This song officially appears on the London Town Official album.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
May 1 to May 31, 1977
October 25 to December 1, 1977
January 4 to 23, 1978
January 2nd - 10th, 1980
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Song facts
From Wikipedia:
“I’ve Had Enough” is a Wings’ single from their 1978 album London Town. It reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, No. 24 in Canada and No. 42 in the UK.
The song was written and sung by Paul McCartney. The music and an improvised chorus were recorded on board the boat Fair Carol in the Virgin Islands prior to the departure of Wings’ lead guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Joe English. According to McCartney, they didn’t have any of the words until the band returned to London from the Fair Carol recording sessions. He then wrote “a few” words and overdubbed the lyrics in London. McCartney referred to it as “just one of those ‘fed up’ songs.”
The song is in the key of D major. Music professor Vincent Benitez describes the song as a musically simple “guitar-dominated rocker,” with alternating verses and chorus following the introductory section. The lyrics primarily vent the singer’s frustration in the face of various circumstances.
Rolling Stone critic Janet Maslin claimed that “I’ve Had Enough” hints “at a minor mean streak, which “spices up” the London Town album “with a welcome note of discord.” McCartney biographer Peter A. Carlin claimed the song reflects “the righteous outrage of a man who can’t find his slippers.” Tom Waseleski of Beaver County Times praised McCartney’s “raspy, boyish vocal” as a throwback to his early days with the Beatles. Author Tim Riley calls it a “simplistic screamer.” Author John Blaney claims that it is “not very effective,” despite “a half decent riff and a snappy arrangement,” and suggests that the “negative” chorus may reflect McCartney’s dissatisfaction with the band at the time. In 2013, Rolling Stone Magazine rated it the #35 all-time Paul McCartney post-Beatles song, describing how it contrasted with Wings’ prior single, the “easygoing” “With a Little Luck” with “tough talk and guitars to match.” In that review, Rolling Stone suggested that the song’s “sarcastic snarl” was influenced by Elvis Costello.
The B-side, “Deliver Your Children”, was the second (and last) Denny Laine lead vocal on a Wings single. Maslin called “Deliver Your Children” “just wonderful,” calling it one of the best songs on London Town.
Last updated on February 22, 2014
Lyrics
You're talking to me from the back of the car
And I can't get nothing right
And then you wonder why I stand at the bar
Day and night
Chorus
I've had enough
I can't put up with any more
No no no no no no no
I've had enough
I can't put up with any more
No no no no no no no
You stand behind me with a watch in your hand
And I can't get nothing done
Well, people tell me you're a punctual man
But come on
Chorus
I earn the money and you take it away
When I don't know where you're from
I should be worried but they say
It'll pay for a bomb
Chorus
I've had enough
Baby you know sometimes you get a little weary
But if it ever happens honey
You just come along to me
Because you know
Chorus
Officially appears on
Official album • Released in 1978
3:06 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar (?), Producer, Tambourine (?), Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Keyboards, Tambourine (?)
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Jimmy McCulloch :
- Electric guitar
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Joe English :
- Drums
- Mark Vigars :
- Assistant engineer
- Pete Henderson :
- Assistant engineer
- Steve Churchyard :
- Assistant engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 1 to May 31, 1977
- Studio :
- Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin Islands
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 24, 1977
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- January 4-23, 1978
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 1993
3:06 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar (?), Producer, Tambourine (?), Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Keyboards, Tambourine (?)
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Jimmy McCulloch :
- Electric guitar
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Joe English :
- Drums
- Mark Vigars :
- Assistant engineer
- Pete Henderson :
- Assistant engineer
- Steve Churchyard :
- Assistant engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 1 to May 31, 1977
- Studio :
- Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin Islands
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 24, 1977
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- January 4-23, 1978
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
7" Single • Released in 2022
3:06 • Studio version • A2022 • 2022 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar (?), Producer, Tambourine (?), Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Keyboards, Tambourine (?)
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Jimmy McCulloch :
- Electric guitar
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Joe English :
- Drums
- Mark Vigars :
- Assistant engineer
- Pete Henderson :
- Assistant engineer
- Steve Churchyard :
- Assistant engineer
- Alex Wharton :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- May 1 to May 31, 1977
- Studio :
- Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin Islands
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 24, 1977
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- January 4-23, 1978
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Bootlegs
Live performances
“I've Had Enough” has been played in 18 concerts.
Latest concerts where I've Had Enough has been played
Concert For The People of Kampuchea
Dec 29, 1979 • United Kingdom • London • Hammersmith Odeon
Glasgow • Apollo Centre • United Kingdom
Dec 17, 1979 • Part of Wings 1979 UK Tour
Glasgow • Apollo Centre • United Kingdom
Dec 16, 1979 • Part of Wings 1979 UK Tour
Newcastle upon Tyne • City Hall • United Kingdom
Dec 14, 1979 • Part of Wings 1979 UK Tour
Birmingham • Odeon Cinema • United Kingdom
Dec 12, 1979 • Part of Wings 1979 UK Tour
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