Although the most famous version of the song remains Wings' original recording, it was covered by the Stan Kenton big band in 1973 and later by Guns N' Roses in 1991. Due to its status as a Bond theme it was also covered by The Pretenders (released exclusively on the album Shaken and Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond Project), and Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas performed the song on Movies Rocks 2007, a CBS special celebrating music in movies. British pop singer Geri Halliwell, of the Spice Girls, released the song as a b-side track for her solo number one single Lift Me Up, in November 1999.
Live and Let Die
Guns N' Roses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was an open book
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did)
(You know you did)
(You know you did)
But if this ever changin' world
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
Live and let die
What does it matter to ya
When you got a job to do you got to do it well
You got to give the other fella hell
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did)
(You know you did)
(You know you did)
But if this ever changin' world
In which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
Live and let die
The lyrics to Guns N' Roses's song "Live and Let Die" seem to be about the changing nature of the world that we live in and how one can adapt their approach to life in order to survive. The opening lines reference a time in the past when the singer's heart was "an open book" and they used to live by the motto of "live and let live" - meaning that they believed in letting others live their lives without interference. However, as the world has changed and become more volatile, the singer seems to suggest that it's not enough to simply "live and let live." Instead, they advocate for a more aggressive stance: "You got to give the other fella hell."
The chorus of "Live and Let Die" reinforces this message, encouraging listeners to "Say live and let die" - implying that sometimes one must be prepared to engage in deadly conflict in order to survive. The repetition of the lines "you know you did" emphasize that the singer is speaking from experience - they have lived by the tenet of "live and let live" at one point, but have been forced to change their ways due to the challenges of living in a constantly changing, dangerous world.
Overall, the lyrics of "Live and Let Die" suggest that survival requires a willingness to adapt and sometimes even engage in violence - a bleak message, but one that likely resonates with many people who feel that the world is becoming increasingly volatile.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were young and your heart Was an open book
When you were young, you were innocent and honest with your feelings.
You used to say live and let live (You know you did) (You know you did) (You know you did)
You used to believe in the idea of coexisting peacefully with others, just as you used to say.
But if this ever changin' world In which we're livin' Makes you give in and cry Say live and let die Live and let die
However, if the world around you changes in such a way that it forces you to fight back, then stand up for yourself and don't hold back.
What did it matter to ya When you got a job to do you got to do it well You got to give the other fella hell
As long as you have a job to do, it doesn't matter what others think. You have to do it to the best of your ability and be a tough competitor.
But if this ever changin' world In which we're livin' Makes you give in and cry Say live and let die Live and let die
But, if the world changes around you and makes it tough to survive, then stand your ground and be strong.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Linda McCartney, Paul James McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aquix67
0:12 St louis
0:21 St louis
0:41 Wembley
0:52 Shoreline amphitheatre
0:58 Toronto, CNE grandstand
1:12 Mannheim
1:12 Wembley
1:14 Tacoma dome
1:19 Wembley
1:27 Shoreline amphitheatre
1:29 Costa mesa
1:31 Tacoma dome
1:32 Helsinki
@Rita-kk7lq
When you were young and your heart
Was an open book
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did)
(You know you did)
(You know you did)
But if this ever changin' world
In which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
Live and let die
What did it matter to ya
When you got a job to do you got to do it well
You got to give the other fella hell
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did)
(You know you did)
(You know you did)
But if this ever changin' world
In which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
Live and let die
@simonenovaes2009
Amazing
@damiansalon7973
Top Paul Mc Cartney Guns N rose
Live an let Die song🤤🤤🤤😎😎🎅🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🎶🎶🎶🎶🪄
@jonlund5545
I once read that paul McCartney's kids who were gnr fans thought guns actually wrote this song lol
@iamspartacus6713
that's made my day cheers
@balintpetervari8450
Wow😯😂
@Hanako_the_Simp
Actually, I thought it was their original too
@mast3rchief536
I heard him and his kids where at the GNR Wembley 1991 gig and they played it. Some of the vids in this are from that gig like the pic in the thumbnail.
@savebees7626
Omg! I'd expect him to have told his kids he wrote this song! I love the Beatles my absolute favorite!!
@mrworldwide6707
You know a song is a masterpiece when it doesn't matter if Paul McCartney or Axl sing it, it will still sound amazing
@matthewwheeler2231
Agree 👍