24 replies to this topic

[DaveBond21]

Hi there, I have a question about the lyrics to Paul McCartney's Live and Let Die.

A few years ago, Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders recorded a cover version of the song. In a magazine she was talking about changing one of the lines. The line, as she quoted, was>-

"And if this ever changing world in which we live in..."


She said that the "in" was in twice, and so the line she would sing would be:-

"And if this ever changing world in which we live.."

which is gramatically correct.


However, what is the original line?? I always take it to be this:-

"And if this ever changing world in which we're livin'...."


This one IS gramatically correct. So which one is the right one? Did McCartney make a mistake? Or did Chrissie read the line wrong?

Thanks!!!!!

[dee-bee-five]

"And if this ever changing world in which we're livin'...."

I've always heard it as that, I must admit.

But even if it were "And if this ever changing world in which we live in" it would sound better than the Chrissie Hynde version in which that line sounds awkward (although I do actually like her cover version as a whole).

[DaveBond21]

Thanks.

I wonder what others think....

[Santa]

I'm with him, I always heard it as "living".

[DaveBond21]

Me too, so at the moment, it is Chrissie Hynde who was wrong, and also the magazine who published her thoughts, as they did agree with her, in the article.

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[MarcAngeDraco]

However, what is the original line?? I always take it to be this:-

"And if this ever changing world in which we're livin'...."

That's what I have always thought it was...

[Qwerty]

Live and Let Die lyrics

[belvedere]

You guys have it all wrong. Her concern was over this:

And IN this ever changing world IN which we live in or we're livin'

That's the redundant in - a classic case of making the lyric fit the melody of the song.

[quiller]

always heard it as we live in (and thougth it awkward)but we're livin makes more sense.

[David_M]

As Qwerty's post shows, Paul did write the line as "in which we live in," and yes it is grammatically incorrect. In fact, it's one of those lyrics that drives me crazy, because I'm one of those anal types who always bites his tongue to avoid correcting other people's poor grammar. In fact, I'm so anal it often takes me longer than anyone in my party to select a meal at a restaurant, because the first time I read the menu it's to find all the typos.

That said, I too hear the line as "in which we're livin'"...but not because it's what he's saying. I hear it because it's what I want to hear. Otherwise I can't fully enjoy my all-time favorite Bond song.

By the way, did anyone catch Paul's performance of LALD on his 2002 tour? Besides the usual cool fireworks, the stage show included a bank of video screens showing the gunbarrel sequence and clips of the first 5 Bond actors in action. Great stuff that didn't make it onto the DVD, for easily guessed reasons.

[Santa]

I'm one of those anal types who always bites his tongue to avoid correcting other people's poor grammar.

Wonderful! I like to know I'm not alone in this.

That said, I too hear the line as "in which we're livin'"...but not because it's what he's saying. I hear it because it's what I want to hear.

Quite. I assumed it had to be "living" as the other way would not have made sense. It seems Paul wasn't that bothered.

[Loomis]

I've always heard it as "...world in which we live in", and it's always bothered me. Tormented me.

These modern "pop singers" - you can't even make out the words half the time.

[Red Barchetta]

I have it on CD- it's "...world in which we live in". It is sung correctly by Sir Paul.

[Santa]

I have it on CD- it's "...world in which we live in". It is sung correctly by Sir Paul.

Except that it's incorrect, grammatically.

[David_M]

Technically, even if he left out the first "in" and said "world which we live in," it would still be an incorrect phrasing.

Yesterday I heard the Beatle song "Anna" (not one of their compositions, rather a cover song) and was really irritated with this phrase:

"You say he loves you more than me, so I will set you free. Go with him."

Well of course it should be "loves you more than I." As written, the song is saying this other man loves "you" more than he loves "me." When of course the intent was to say he loves you more than I love you.

How's that for anal?

It seems Paul wasn't that bothered.

When you're rolling the kind of cigarettes Paul favored in 1973, there isn't much that does bother you.

[Santa]

How's that for anal?

Very good! You and I could have a lot to talk about. Now, tell me, how do you arrange your wardrobes?

[DamnCoffee]

To be Honest i never pay much attention to the vocals i just sing em

[Qwerty]

These modern "pop singers" - you can't even make out the words half the time.

Probably the point in some cases.

[DaveBond21]

It just goes to show that it is a grammar error, yet some people have replied with different answers to the question, so it has confused a few of us.

Qwerty's link shows that Paul McCartney made a grammar error, and so he did not sing it "correctly" Red Barchetta.

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[mccartney007]

I've never really applied strict rules of grammar to song lyrics before. If I get the meaning, that's all that matters.

[spynovelfan]

Shall we tackle a-Ha's TAKE ON ME next? The title's a good starting point.

[AgentPB]

I always thought it was ment to be sung pauls way. I thought it was being overly redundent but hey it sure is a catchy song. I just put all the title songs and themes and made one big playlist on my iPod.

[DaveBond21]

I wasn't criticising the song, please be aware that I love it.

I have just noticed this, and it seems others feel the same, and to others it is of interest. This is inly a semi-serious thread. Grammar doesn't matter in music, I just thought I would discuss this for a bit of fun.


thanks....

[DaveBond21]

Everyone seems split on this subject, any new comments???

[00Twelve]

Just another "livin'" vote. No biggie.