'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Tryin' to make ends meet
You're a slave to money then you die
I'll take you down the only
Road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places
Where all the veins meet, yeah

No change, I can change
I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mould
I am here in my mould
But I'm a million different people from
One day to the next i can't change my mould
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
(Have you ever been down?)

Well I've never prayed, but tonight
I'm on my knees, yeah
I need to hear some sounds that
Recognize the pain in me, yeah
I let the melody shine, let
It cleanse my mind, i feel free now
But the airwaves are clean and there's
Nobody singing to me now

No change, I can change
I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mould
I am here in my mould
And I'm a million different people from
One day to the next i can't change my mould
No, no, no, no, no have you ever been down?
I can't change it you know, I can't change it

'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony
That's life trying to make ends meet
Trying to find some money, then you die
I'll take you down the only
Road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places
Where all the veins meet, yeah

You know I can change, I can change
I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mould
I am here in my mould
And I'm a million different people from
One day to the next
I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no
I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no
I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no
You've gotta change my mould, no, no, no
(It's just sex and violence
Melody and silence)
(It's just sex and violence
Melody and violence)
(It's just sex and silence
Melody and silence)
(I'll take you down the only
Road I've ever been down)
(It's just sex and violence
Melody and silence)
(I'll take you down the only
Road I've ever been down)
(It's just sex and violence
Melody and violence) been down
Ever been down
(I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no)
(It's just sex and violence
Melody and violence) ever been down
(I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no)
Ever been down ever been down
Have you ever been down?
Have you ever been down?
Have you ever been down?


Lyrics submitted by ColdenScence, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Bitter Sweet Symphony Lyrics as written by Mick Jagger Keith Richards

Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc.

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Bitter Sweet Symphony (feat. Richard Ashcroft) (Verve cover) song meanings
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    General Comment

    Actually nowhere,cuz chris never sing this and they perform it once at live8 with richard voice.

    ColdenScenceon March 21, 2006   Link

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