John, Elton - If It Wasn't For Bad Lyrics

[Chorus 1]
I knew from the first night I met you
Something just wasn't quite right
Loving like an innocent stranger
But something was just out of sight

[Verse 1]
How could I know that you had used me
Fill out some plan of your own
I could have known you'd abused me
Leave me here hurt and alone

[Chorus 2]
If it wasn't for you I'd be happy
If it wasn't for lies you'd be true
I know that you could be just like you should
If it wasn't for bad you'd be good

[Verse 2]
I only sung what I wanted to sing
You were a dream in my mind
I never know how you never could be
It didn't take long for me to find
I guess that it's mine for foresee
Only what I wanted to see
I couldn't know you would be
A player just acting for me

Literally the best song. The piano is very impressive. Elton john and Leon are too good.

God I miss you Leon...

Two of the greats

Why was this not a hit

I knew from the first night I met you
Something just wasn't quite right
Loving like an innocent stranger
But somethin' was just out of sight
How could I know that you abused me
Fill out some plan of your own
I couldn't know you'd abuse me
Leave me here hurt and alone
If it wasn't for you I'd be happy
If it wasn't for lies you'd be true
I know that you could be just like you should
If it wasn't for bad you'd be good
I only saw what I wanted to see
You were a dream in my mind
I'll never know how you really could be
It didn't take long for me to find
I guess that it's my fault for seeing
Only what I wanted to see
I couldn't know you were being
A player just acting for me
If it wasn't for you I'd be happy
If it wasn't for lies you'd be true
I know you could be just like you should
If it wasn't for bad you'd be good
I knew from the first night I met you
Something just wasn't quite right
Loving like an innocent stranger
But something was just out of sight
If it wasn't for you I'd be happy
If it wasn't for lies you'd be true
I know you could be just like you should
If it wasn't for bad you'd be good
If it wasn't for bad you'd be good

This is a GREAT song.

no sht sherlock u f

So considerate of Elton to give Leon one for the road.  (-:

Not a great, powerful voice, but a voice and pianist you would always remember once you heard him. The first time I saw his name on a 45 rpm was on a Liberty Record by, of all people, J.J. Cale -- two commercial songs: "It's a Go-Go Place," and "Dick Tracy." Then I started to see his name more and more on other people's records. A musical genius, respected by everyone from Frank Sinatra to The Beach Boys to Jan & Dean to Joe Cocker and Elton John. His resume is untouchable, his songs were brilliant and his character was pure rock and roll. RIP Leon. You mattered. Big time. Leonard Cohen needed someone to go with him -- and yes, Rock & Roll Heaven certainly has one hell of a band. Now they have you to put it all together...

What an awesome perspective.

Rest in Peace Leon!

going to miss him

arent they qute

Take the time to read the liner in the CD. It explains what you don't get.

Why not on mobile devices? That's what a lot of us listen to music on

@hezza0608 well... you don't have to watch it...

great song, great sound quality ! battlescarred101 dont know shit about sound !!

@alemartiniani I couldn't agree with you more. I've been a fan of both since the 70's, and God forbid this is the last album either of them record. For us long-time fans, this was a highly anticipated release, and neither of them disappointed any of us.

funny to read the comments here..so many haters..listen any artist that can last 40 years in spotlight, sell 250 million cds world wide and STILL sell out tours and is number 3 money making artist on forbes after so many years has to be doing something right..i suppose better than 99 percent of artists from past and current so lets stop hating and making foolish statements.

@lambonastickdead I prefer EC to most of EJ's career, but it's senseless to say Declan wouldn't have accepted stadium gigs, and stadium money as a career option.

Hah! That's a laugh! Besides Alison, Costello never wrote anything that good and Alison would barely make an Elton A-side. In fact, Elvis would've had a better career performing Elton's b-sides. Besides, that stupid Buddy Holly schtick got really old. Elton and Bernie's best stuff like Tiny Dancer, Your Song, Levon and half the Yellow Brick Road album out classes Elvis' best by a mile. Any songwriter or composer will tell you that.

@Moosebumps27 you got your wish last nite about time Leons always been my hero

@MattHatter AMEN !!!

Lovely song.

Leon is a genius..

@lambonastickdead What's a medioka song? You might have more credibility when slagging off others as ridiculous and setting yourself up as having superior taste if you could spell. Why bother coming to an Elton video to slag him off? Nothing better to do in life, like so many sad trolls who clog up youtube and the net?

@Iambonastickdead Come on Iam, these two working together is pretty good. You can't call them untalented. You put up a good arguement, I admit, but there's no point in insulting us just because you think this is bad. Stick to the dislike button please so we can avoid these kinds of arguements.

Leon Russell is brilliant and timeless! Elton John the same.... put em together... then, with brilliant ears listen, learn and enjoy!

@lambonastickdead In one respect, you're right. I don't know if a silly big-mouthed little boy like you has the guts to say in person what he is comfortable putting in print. And I do not care. You keep coming back to this video for the sole purpose of making yourself unpleasant, unliked, and unwanted. Congratulations, you've accomplished your goal. I'm done with you.

@lambonastickdead You are a coward. You write all this nonsense, but I doubt you'd have the balls to actually say them to anyone in person. You would be on the ground looking up and wondering what hit you.

@johnwinfield367676 If you looked him up in Wikipedia, you know what a huge force he's been in pop music, mostly behind the scenes.

leon russel is so frail

not a good piece of music.

@TheSerraberra Thanks! That's what I thought but I haven't heard Elton recently to know what age has done to his voice.

Genius piano lick and inspired duet.

@battlescarred101 Thank You!^^

great song terrible sound quality

Who sings this, is it Leon or Elton?

I love this song

I can hear the infuence Big Time. Elton even sounds like Leon.
Thanks for the early play.

@johnwinfield367676 i see this is not the only comment you've made like this, stop going round stirring up trouble and grow up. The album is fantastic, Elton and Leon are the best duo since er, well, Tom and Jerry, Fred and Ginger...best duo in music anyway

@ johnwinfeild - THAT was about THE most ignorant comment Ive ever seen on here. Leon Russell has a "sh*t" voice ?? AND hes a WHAT ???? WHY ???? Because youre too narrow minded listen to ALL types of music. FYI - Leon Russell is one of THE most respected and talented musicians among his peers. If Sir Elton has enough respect for him to do an album with him, Im thinking HIS opinion of a legend is far more valuable than yours.

@ johnwinfield. That "has been" was a MAJOR influence on Eltons early piano playing. That "has been" is one of THE MOST talented and respected musicians in the business. He was responsible for launching many a career, as well as leading the way musically for the first ever benefit concert, "The Concert For Bangla-Desh", with George Harrison. Your comment was about the MOST ignorant one Ive EVER seen on here. YOU obviously are a narrow minded individual.

I have HIGH hopes for this album ! But, that song didn't do it.... Not yet, anyway... ;-)

THIS IS GREAT !!!!

Love Leon and Love Elton for introducing Leon to those that were not as fortunate as I to know and love his music.

Leon - I so happy for you!

@Moosebumps27 Yes, there's a Leon album in the top 25 now at amazon, as well as riding very high with Elton there. The Union deserves to be massive

There are now a few clips on youtube of them in concert at Boston- this, Hey Ahab, Gone to Shiloh..

@Mr1962KDSelvis Good luck!!

Channel 33 on Sirius will be playing Elton and Leon's collaboration starting today, 10/15. I have been waiting for this since about 1970 when I saw them perform together on the old Merv Griffin show. Pure magic.

@judecreek2
Oh how I wish it were true ! Now maybe there are some plans in the works that I don't know about but so far no Leon Russell Boulevard. Hmmmm.....maybe I should make a little suggestion to the city council ?? Hey, Thanks for the idea..I think I will do just that.

@Mr1962KDSelvis I've heard that Tulsa has recently named a street for Leon. Is that true? It would be pretty cool to say, "Yeah, meet me on the the corner of Leon Russell and Fantastic."

Yes, the street that runs just outside the Church Studio. It's something of a pilgrimage for LeonLifers to go have their picture taken standing by the street sign.

@eyaltb it's from their new album... so it was probably written in summer of 2010...

very new... what can i say
you now how old is thist song is?

It is my humble opinion that Leon Russell is my home towns firm, solid claim to fame. There have been others, Bob Wills and the Texas playboys, Gaylard Sartain, Gary Busey, The Tractors, David Gates, but I think Leon stands out as our best contribution to at least popular music. We love him The failures of our radio stations in getting him more airplay like many of his generation deserve (he has paid his dues after all.( See the youtube video "Shindig 1964 ) He is a unique talent music.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Shindig show. What a piano player he was!

Elton John's had great albums all in a row, starting with "Songs From The West Coast" in 2001, "Peachtree Road" in 2004, "The Captain And The Kid" in 2006, and now with Leon Russell with "The Union" in 2010. Rock on, Leon and Elton!

Leon's in FINE voice and the song has Clyde's signature all over it. Thanks to Elton for helping everyone pay tribute to Leon while he's still rockin our world. God bless you, Leon.

Thanks For Posting This

Great song!

they bust a collective nut on the mic. straight bukkake'd on the vocals! two musical genius'. elton john looks like he belongs in the lord of the rings or somethin thou. elf lookin mofo

@ejfan3333 Danke! :D

Toll gemacht, das Intro ist echt klasse!!:) Und ein Hammersong dazu
lg vom ejfan vom deutschen Forum;-)