Released in 1991

Crises - I'm Not a Slave

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

Master album

Liverpool Oratorio
By Paul McCartney

Related songs

“I’m Not a Slave” is the sixth 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

[MARY DEE]

I'm not a slave

I work for a living

I can command the respect of my peers

Where did you go?

You were out with the boys

[SHANTY]

So what if I went for a drink?

You'd think to listen to you

It was some sort of crime

[MARY DEE]

I needed someone to talk to

But all I could find was myself

If you were the same man I married

You'd know that your woman needs love

[SHANTY]

And what about me?

I suppose I don't matter

I'm not even sure

If you ever loved me

Officially appears on

Liverpool Oratorio
Official album • Released in 1991
0:52 • 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

Live performances

“Crises - I'm Not a Slave” has been played in 6 concerts.

Year	Soundchecks	Concerts
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2024	0	4

Latest concerts where “Crises - I'm Not a Slave” has been played

Liverpool Oratorio
Jul 27, 2024 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
Liverpool Oratorio
Jul 21, 2024 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
Liverpool Oratorio
Jul 20, 2024 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
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 - I'm Not a Slave” 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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