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Released in 1993

Mistress And Maid

Written by Paul McCartney • Declan MacManus / Elvis Costello

Last updated on September 10, 2020

Album This song officially appears on the Off The Ground Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1993

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

“Mistress And Maid” is a track from 1993 album “Off The Ground“, co-written with Elvis Costello. A fifteen-piece orchestra was used to enhance the song, conducted by Carl Davis, who previously collaborated with Paul McCartney on the Liverpool Oratorio.

That one’s a little complicated. Paul and Carl Davis took tapes of my guitar and Robbie’s guitar and wrote horn arrangements around the lines we were playing — and it really works because it’s a matter of embellishing what’s already there.

Hamish Stuart – From the “New World Tour” tour book

This was really reversing our relationship, because Paul had a very clear idea of what he wanted, the song was already written and recorded. For me, it was simply a job. He said to me, ‘I would like to have this brass ensemble and I’ll tell you exactly what I want it to be’. He came not to me as a composer.

Carl Davis – Exclusive interview from Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013)

“Mistress And Maid” was performed live only once in March 1995, by Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello, both on acoustic guitars.

According to Club Sandwich N°76, Winter 1995, “Mistress And Maid”, painted by Jan Vermeer 1667-1668, was an influence to write the “Mistress And Maid” song.

Lyrics

She said

Come in my dear,

You're looking tired tonight.

Your bath is drawn, let me loosen your tie

And fix you your usual drink.

He settles back,

Takes a magazine,

Kicks off his shoes, as he studies the form

Of every appealing soubrette.

But where are the flowers that he used to bring?

Every endearing remark

Reminds her of passionate promises,

That he only made in the dark.

In her bed,

She wants to shout at the back of his head

Look at me, look at me, look at me I'm afraid

See what it's come to,

I'm just your mistress and maid.

The wine is warm

But the dinner is cold.

The look in his eye tells her it won't be long

'Till the girls on the page come to life.

And they'll get the flowers that he used to bring

With every endearing remark,

And all of the passionate promises

He'll never fulfill in the dark.

In their bed,

She wants to shout at the back of his head

Look at me, look at me, now that I'm not afraid.

See what it's come to,

I'm not your mistress and maid.

See what it's come to,

I'm not your mistress and maid.

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Mistress And Maid”

Videos

Album Off The Ground

Live performances

“Mistress And Maid” has been played in 1 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Mistress And Maid” 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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