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Released in 1978

I've Had Enough

Written by Paul McCartney

Last updated on February 22, 2014

Album This song officially appears on the London Town Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1978

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

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.

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

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “I've Had Enough”

Related film

Live performances

“I've Had Enough” has been played in 18 concerts.

Latest concerts where “I've Had Enough” has been played

See all concerts where “I've Had Enough” has been played

Going further

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

With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.

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