SydLexia.com - The Forums :: View topic

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

I am a huge fan of GNR and can easily call them my favorite band of all time. Still, even after listening to them for over two decades I still have no fucking idea what half the lyrics are to even the most popular songs.

What usually helps me remember lyrics is when they make sense. I am sure that Axl understand all of his lyrics, but I sure as fuck don't.

What makes the lyrics even more fun is that even if I tried I couldn't sing them the way Axl does. I'm not even talking about high notes, just how he makes something sloppy sound like music.

Song: Bad Apples
Lyrics:
- I got some genuine imitation bad apples
- Free sample for your peace o' mind
- Only $9.95
- I got my camera back from customs
- Got my law fees up to date
- Hell they musta seen me comin'
- Ain't this life so fuckin' great

Link to listen: http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Bad+Apples/7322749

So the lyrics are complicated enough as it is, but they overlap making it very hard to follow along.

Now please, don't take this as complaining. I wouldn't change any of this stuff for any price. I'm just curious to know what other people think when they listen to GNR and try to follow along.

Joined: May 22 2008 Location: Goshen, VA Posts: 6544

I think the masters of the english language are the ones who can distort it and still make it sound wonderful. I understand your point and agree.

Joined: Nov 11 2009 Location: Cajun Country Posts: 1511

I haven't listened to GNR that much ever but after listening to Bad Apples, I think I'm hooked. I don't think it's just you because I really tried to focus on his lyrics and I still couldn't understand most of what he was saying. Some stuff I could definitely follow along to though.

Posted: Dec 17 2009 08:23 pm

Except for the spoken outro which is from a book or something, Breakdown has the best lyrics ever.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Syd Lexia wrote:

Except for the spoken outro which is from a book or something, Breakdown has the best lyrics ever.

What a fantastically under appreciated song.

While I know the band themselves, especially Axl thinks of the outro as the weakest part of the entire Use Your Illusion set, I don't mind it. It is somewhat quirky and at least the production value isn't horrible.

Overall though, that song is one of their best unknown gems.

Posted: Dec 18 2009 08:33 am

My favorite GNR song is probably Coma, the last song on Illusion 1. Definitely another under-appreciated gem.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Ah yes, Coma, one of the few songs I know all the lyrics to. I really like the tirade he goes on at the end just after you hear:

Listen to me! Axl! Are you listening to me?!? No don't walk away from me! Get back over here!
I can't stand this...
You are such a fucking prick! I am so...
Ridiculous, all I hear is girl shit...
All I want to do is have Sex! Sex! Sex! All I want to...
I don't want to take this shit any more!

Posted: Dec 19 2009 01:48 am

Coma is fucking amazing. They only performed it live like 3 times, and only when Axl was in a really bad mood.

Also, you messed up the bitches' lines. It's:

Quote:

Listen to me! Axl, are you listening to me? No don't walk away from me! Get back over here!
I can't stand this!
You are such a fucking prick! I am so pissed with you.
It's ridiculous, talking your bullshit all the time! All you want to do is have sex, sex, sex, all the time!
I'm not gonna take this shit any more!
(descends into gibberish)
I love you.

Posted: Dec 19 2009 03:06 am

Sha na na na na na KNEES KNEES!

Knock knock knocking on heaven's DO-A-WOAR!

Razz

Posted: Dec 20 2009 07:27 pm

well... this lyrics are like conseptual art... one gives them the meaning that one thinks...

OH! OH OH OH!!! SWEET CHILD 'O MINEEE!!!

Title: Hugh Joined: Sep 23 2007 Posts: 1591

Kable wrote:

well... this lyrics are like conseptual art... one gives them the meaning that one thinks...

Well, I think it's something each person's supposed to take in their own special way.

And I'm with Fontaine, that ending part of "Coma" was fucking incredible, though I could never remember all the words to it.

Posted: Dec 20 2009 09:33 pm

sorry... I'm from argentina... I can'r express myself very well in english... but that's what ment...

Title: Hugh Joined: Sep 23 2007 Posts: 1591

There was nothing wrong with what you said, I just said the little spoken bit at the end of "Back Off Bitch" because that reminded me of it, and quoting is fun.