What This World Is Coming To
By: Beck Hansen, Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker, Nate Ruess

Written by: Beck Hansen, Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker, Nate Ruess

Versions:
  1. What This World Is Coming To (4:03)
    Available on Grand Romantic.
    Credits
    Nate Harold: Bass
    James Gadson: Drums
    Jeff Bhasker: Drums, keyboards, Piano, Producer, Vocals (Background)
    Beck Hansen: Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Vocals
    Serban Ghenea: Mix
    Emile Haynie: Producer
    Nate Ruess: Vocals
 
Lyrics:
What This World Is Coming To [Version (a)]:

Someone sucked the life out of the room
When that someone said goodbye much too soon
I'd hate for you to love me 'cause you saw me out
With someone who you read about in the news
But I guess that's what this world is coming to

I watched as your wrist began the bruise
Threading ribbons weaving patterns beautiful and blue
All your late nights came to life
And then died upon just one dislike
Never mind all the people that you moved
But I guess that's what this world is coming to

So let's get high here in the moonlight
Even the stars go right over our head
I think I'm gonna shine in the afterlife
Leaving the fight for peace of mind instead

So let's get high in the moonlight
Even the stars go right over our head
I know I'm gonna shine here in the afterlife
Leaving the fight for peace of mind instead

You know that I can't stop thinking about you
You're the source of everything I do
You brought faith to songs I sing
So I went and bought a diamond ring
I wanna spend each night here with you
Yeah you took everything I was
And you turned it into something I've become
Good god, what's a boy to do
But I guess that's what this world
Oh I guess that's what this world
Oh I guess that's what this world is, is coming to
Oh I guess that's what my life is, is coming to
 
The Song:

"What The World Is Coming To" can be found on Nate Ruess' debut solo album, Grand Romantic. Beck features on the song, playing guitar and singing; Beck also cowrote the song with Nate and his producers.

Ruess performed with Beck at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in spring 2015, in tribute to Lou Reed. He also appeared with his main band fun. on the official Song Reader cd. From what I gather, I think at the time, Beck and Ruess may have been neighbors.

Ruess told radio.com about the collaboration:

I wanted to do a duet with a male. I'd done one with a female, working with P!nk. Beck was someone that I've always admired, as far back as I can remember. He seemed like the logical choice for me. He sings lower than I do, so that gave me the opportunity to be above him so we're not necessarily competing but singing together.


After considering Beck for a different (funkier) song, Nate wrote "What This World Is Coming To" and thought Beck would fit. He asked, Beck said yes, and came in, playing acoustic guitar and adding melodies.

The song is a pleasant enough soft rock recording, feeling very much like it came out of the '70s. It is easily the best thing on Grand Romantic.