WHAT’S THE WORLD

First released 1983

What's The World appeared on the first two demo tapes and was played at a Fall support show at Manchester Poly as early as 1980. The first version featured lyrics by Paul, which were substituted on the second 1982 version by Gavan and Jennie Ingram's lyrics, before Tim joined and rewrote it completely.

The original lyrics featured the lines "Oh why can't you see / What you're doing to me / Between the pleasure and the pain / It really fucks up my brain"

It was viewed as the lead track on the debut Jimone EP and has remained an occasional feature in the James setlist ever since, making its last appearance at one of the Manchester shows on the Best Of tour in April 1998.

The song was covered by The Smiths and was released on their I Started Something I Couldn't Finish cassette single.

WHERE TO GET

Studio Version : Jimone 7" (FAC78)

Studio Version : Village Fire – Five Songs By James 12" (FAC138)

Live Version : Come Home Live Video (083 092-3)

Live Version : The Gathering Sound boxset - Come Home Live DVD

Fresh As A Daisy - The Singles (2 disc version)

CHORDS

E

"that's not enough..." : G#, A

LYRICS

What would you sell

With the glasses and suit

Heart and soul

Won't wear out

That's not enough,

I want what's inside

Take a fish fillet knife and cut right through my eyes

I'm looking for some words to call my own

Not worn out phrases and hand me downs

They'll mock me and where I stand

Bug on his back in a Corned beef can

Going under

You can feel them stripping you down

To the rust inside

This is the way

That the star is born

From those bits and pieces others have worn

All held together by management glue

Too much glue and the stars turn blue

Turn blue, turn blue, turn blue

Going under

You can feel them pulling you down

To the holes inside