The 20 Worst Lyrics Ever: No. 5
"But if this ever-changing
world in which we live in ..."
--Paul McCartney and Wings' 'Live and Let Die'
Dangerous combination: Sir Paul having so much money and prepositional phrases being so cheap. Any junior-high English teacher would take points off for everything after "world."
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Editor's Note: Oops, we originally had "in" instead of "if." (Thanks for correcting us, commenters!) But the rest of it -- "in which we live in" vs. "in which we're livin'" -- is still debatable. Either way, everything after "world" is unneccessary, and that was our point. Macca fans, don't despair, we love him too -- read our I Freakin' Love This Song about 'Heart of the Country.'
Editor's Note: Oops, we originally had "in" instead of "if." (Thanks for correcting us, commenters!) But the rest of it -- "in which we live in" vs. "in which we're livin'" -- is still debatable. Either way, everything after "world" is unneccessary, and that was our point. Macca fans, don't despair, we love him too -- read our I Freakin' Love This Song about 'Heart of the Country.'
Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: The Hit List
Reader Comments(1 of 12)
Jojoat 3-27-2007
Isn't it, "but IF this ever-changing world in which we live in... ...THEN live and let die." It's an IF-THEN statement, see?
Dylanat 6-29-2008
the paul mccartney lyrics make perfect sense he's not referring to the world as as an object but as the way things are. And u gotta keep going to realize it makes perfect sense. The MJ is kinda ironic considering the molestation trials but it makes sense ccuz hes saying ur butt is mine as in its his own to kick or do w/e the hell he wants to with it. The writer of this list is an idiot
DixonSteele1on1at 1-04-2009
Well Jojo...
By now you have to know that the fudge packers who make up these lists (see two hit wonders) don't check any facts or even song lyrics before posting their pabulum.
Guess they were all standing in line when MJ was singing about their butts being his (see previous song).
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/paul+mccartney/live+let+die_20105856.html
http://ca.music.yahoo.com/Paul-McCartney/Live-And-Let-Die-Live/lyrics/58729526
kenat 3-27-2007
Jojo, yes you are right. It is a shame that folks who make these 'lists' almost always include an rror or two.....
Judith M. Suhrat 3-27-2007
According to Paul, the line is "in which we're livin'"
Phil Burnetteat 3-27-2007
This are the lines...."but IF this ever-changing world in which we live in makes you break down and cry... ...THEN live and let die."
joe reedat 3-27-2007
Did this lister ever hear of poetic liscense? And, who looks for grammar in a pop song?
Andrewat 3-27-2007
Too many mistakes its "livin" not "live in" and its "if" not "in". and beside this song rocks
c. prestonat 3-27-2007
if you're including a song from wings, you should have put in any verse from that we're so sorry uncle albert son.
suoiresat 3-27-2007
wonder if the one legged devil knows what he ment?
Mikeat 3-27-2007
I don't know what idiot typed up the lyrics for the Paul McCartney version, but there are several typos, including that line. It should read "But IF this ever-changing world in which we live in..." - granted, it still ain't exactly the Queen's English (heh), but it makes more sense. The Guns N' Roses version has the lyrics typed up correctly.
Aimee Healyat 3-27-2007
How could anybody knock Paul He is the Walrus? I love Paul his lyrics have always been rated PG like the movies with adult humor plus he is a Beatle. The Beatles rule.
Jeffat 3-27-2007
Check again--"But if this ever-changing world in which we're livin' makes you give in and cry". Makes much more sense when the quote is accurate, doesn't it?
Jeffat 3-27-2007
Try this: "But if this ever-changing world in which we're livin' makes you give in and cry". NOW do you get it?
Amyat 3-27-2007
Okay. You just don't mess with Sir Paul. He can say whatever he wants.
Besides, I LOVE this song. Both the Wings version and th G'N'R version.
Martaat 3-28-2007
"If this ever-changin' world in which we're livin'....makes you give in and cry....say live and let die."
Do your research. It's wordy, but not ungrammatical.
Sakura Midvalleyat 8-04-2008
Yeah, shame the lyrics are right up there, except the if of course. I just looked at several different lyric sites. All of them said:
"But in this ever changin' world
in which we live in
makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die."
Kennyat 3-28-2007
this song is classic, who wrote this list an idiot?????????????????????????
James Milesat 3-28-2007
Leave it alone!
This is one of The Best Bond Themes Ever!
Elliat 3-28-2007
Yeah, Rolling Stone magazine picked on this redundant, ungrammatical lyric 30 years ago. Not your best work, Paul. At least "Maybe I'm Amazed" still ranks up there...