I've Had Enough

Written by Paul McCartney

Album This song officially appears on the London Town Official album.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 1978

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


London Town

Official album • Released in 1978

3:06 • Studio versionA

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: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


I've Had Enough / Deliver Your Children

7" Single • Released in 1978

Studio version


London Town (1993)

Official album • Released in 1993

3:06 • Studio versionA

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: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


The 7” Singles Box

7" Single • Released in 2022

3:06 • Studio versionA2022 • 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: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

Bootlegs


MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol.10

Unofficial album

3:09 • Studio version


MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol.14

Unofficial album

3:15 • Studio version


MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol.14

Unofficial album

3:11 • Studio version


Eggs Up

Unofficial album

3:20 • Outtake


London Town Roughs And Demos

Unofficial album • Released in 1991

3:09 • Studio version


Latest concerts where I've Had Enough has been played


Concert For The People of Kampuchea

Dec 29, 1979 • United Kingdom • London • Hammersmith Odeon





Exit mobile version