According to the Live And Let Die Songfacts, McCartney was given a copy of the Ian Fleming novel to read and he read the book one Saturday, during a break from sessions for Red Rose Speedway before penning the tune on the following day.
The song was one of the band's most successful singles, and the most successful Bond theme to that point.
Live And Let Die
Paul McCartney & Wings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did, you know you did, you know you did)
But if this ever changing world in which we're living
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
(Live and let die)
(Live and let die)
What does it matter to you?
When you got a job to do
You got to do it well
You got to give the other fellow 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 changing world in which we're living
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
(Live and let die)
Live and let die
(Live and let die)
The lyrics of Paul McCartney & Wings's song "Live And Let Die" express a message of resilience and determination, despite the difficulties encountered in life. The opening lines refer to a time when the singer was younger and more idealistic, believing in the idea of "live and let live" - peaceful coexistence with others. However, as the world changes around them, the singer realizes that sometimes it's impossible to maintain this outlook, and that life can be harsh and unforgiving. When faced with insurmountable obstacles, the only choice left is to persevere and "live and let die."
The chorus of the song is a call to action, urging the listener to adopt this same attitude. "Live and let die" is a phrase that can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but in this context, it seems to suggest that we must be willing to let go of our attachments and expectations in order to succeed. The message is clear: life is unpredictable, challenging, and often unfair, but we must remain strong and continue to push forward.
Overall, "Live And Let Die" is a song about resilience, strength, and survival in the face of adversity. It encourages us to embrace change, accept a certain level of risk, and keep moving forward, even when the going gets tough.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were young and your heart was an open book
When you were young and inexperienced, you were open to new experiences and willing to learn from them
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 tolerance and acceptance, letting others live their lives as they see fit
But if this ever changing world in which we're living Makes you give in and cry
But if the constant changes in the world make you feel overwhelmed, sad or helpless
Say live and let die (Live and let die) Live and let die (Live and let die)
Then you should embrace a more fatalistic philosophy, accepting that some things are beyond your control and letting go
What does it matter to you? When you got a job to do You got to do it well You got to give the other fellow hell
You should focus on your own responsibilities and don't let others' opinions or actions distract you, you should be determined and competitive
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 tolerance and acceptance, letting others live their lives as they see fit
But if this ever changing world in which we're living Makes you give in and cry
But if the constant changes in the world make you feel overwhelmed, sad or helpless
Say live and let die (Live and let die) Live and let die (Live and let die)
Then you should embrace a more fatalistic philosophy, accepting that some things are beyond your control and letting go
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Linda McCartney, Paul James McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on Let Me Roll It
The perfect John Lennon song that he never wrote