Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Discuss the song in this thread.




/jarmo

I'm not sure how I feel about the intro on this song. I'm not sure it's necessary but I don't know how else one would jump right into the lyrics if it weren't there. I love how aggressive the song song is overall. It begins as if it's going to be a ballad but then the first chorus puts a stop to that. More great vocals from Axl, this time the chorus matches the verses. The outro vocals (both Axl and backrounds) are awesome. They match the grandiose guitar work underneath. Is the guitar work in this song the best on the album? It just might be.
5/5

I love this song, one of my favourites!! Love the guitar work, the orchestral work, Axl's voice in the second half of the song is so intense!! Like russ says its 5/5

this is a really fucking good song

Didn't really need those silly Shackler's Revenge-style deep vocals in the background of the 'it was the wrong time for you, it was the wrong time for me' bit. Another example of Axl fiddling for the sake of fiddling. Other than that, it remains one of the highlights of the album  : ok:

I think this is the definitive Chinese Democracy song... followed CLOSELY by Catcher in the Rye.

amazingg song

I absolutely LOVE the verses in this song...but it changes tones and melodies so much...it's like the chorus is forced in there and it doesn't fit.  I even found myself before playing it for friends and seeing their facial expressions when they are really into the first verse and then the first chorus comes up...they had like a confused look on their face...as if to ask "why?".  The harmonized vocals at the end is awesome though...

i love that demon voice

Me too  : ok: Took some listenings before I even noticed it.

This is still probably my favorite song on the album.  I think almost anyone can relate to this song.  TWAT is truly a masterpiece.

i love this song, always have i think its genius it all fits together so nicely i would say its my favourite but i have only heard the first 8 songs and scraped is very good (one 1 play) so we will have to wait and see

my fav song on the album by far and the guitar work is out of this world

Not to far off from the demo. Sounds abit over done at the end. Sounds like there is to much going on at the sametime. But i still like alot of it. 3/5

Axl's vocals are killer!  I love what they did to this song since the leaked version.

Makes the wait worth it.

The late, minute-plus, solo is fucking phenominal.

Having heard the live versions N' demos over the last 2 1/2 years I was really looking 4ward to it..I played the CD through w/o looking at what was next and got goosebumps when this came on...

Another track I've also liked since it first leaked long ago in demo form. The whole track encompasses a time long since lost I believe and the lyrics coincide with the music veyr well. I love the outro vocals faded into the background:

yeah there was a time,
didn't wanna know it all,
didn't wanna know it all,
and I don't wanna know it now,
I would do anything for you,
There was a time...was a time

That final little ending verse gets me everytime and reinstates how much I love the track.

P.S. I really like the 1999 mix that was around in that very first demo. It seemed much more raw (duh but of course) and well haunting.

TWAT along with CITR are in my opinion the best songs of the album. I instantly fell in love with TWAT  the first time I heard the demo version. However I have a small complaint in regards to the final version.

To me the drums feel a little "stale" production-wise. Compare them for expample with the drums of Madagascar, or Chinese democracy. they just sound a little flat to me... Does anyone else feel the same? Its a real shame cause the drumming is really exceptional (probably the best of the album), but the actual sound of the drums is not that deep.

anyway, awesome song!

Absolutely LOVE the "Glass Break" effect during the "Broken Glass......"

Not to sure about the 'chants' during "It was a long time for you..." Seems unnecessary, but we'll see how it grows on me

I love the song,
love buckets solo, the best on chinese democracy,

Cant wait to see this song live , and see how much they improve it to the live performance in 06.

I wasn't too high on the track when I first heard it via the '06 leaks, but it has grown on me a little since then.  I like the final version much better.

I don't see a thread for this song, and I would like one since in my opinion this is one of the strongest tracks on the album, I wonder why more people don't mention it. Anyway, Jarmo if you want to make a thread for this song yourself then go ahead, all I want is a discussion about this song :beer: What do you guys think of the arrangements, everything?

P.S. I finally bought the record today and it fucking rocks more than anything I've ever heard, including the old GN'R albums!!! ;D :smoking: :drool:

I think it's an injustice to all of the albums to say one is better than the other, short of which Illusion you prefer (I'm more a fan of the first, myself.)

But TWAT is definitely one of the stronger tracks on the album.

You should look into Bucketheads solo work.  Minute-plus, fucking phenominal solos are the mans' specialty.

hahah I probably wouldn't have noticed this at all if i didn't read the booklet  ;D and I also agree with you The Illusionist about the chorus  :)

Anybody else think this is the Estranged song on Chinese?  Very similar ending in my opinion.  Starts off rather slow, ends with a bang.

Not big on the addition of the deep "long time" vocals.

But still, stunning track.   I've always thought that this one was a masterpiece and still do.  Amazing work.  From the leaks, I anticipated that this would be my favourite track off the album and I think that still stands.   Stunning.  Truly monumental. 

This  song speaks for itself...it's a megatrack, polished to perfectio, Bucketheads solos sound surreal, this song has so much going on,  the lyrics are in you heart, the piano, the guitars, I would have to agree with an earlier post that the end really catches me, "didn't want to know it now, I don't want to know it all"...if I had to rate this from 1-10, this song gets a 10, but so does the whole fuckin album!

Great, Great song.

It's funny though, not my favorite on the album despite the fact that I think it has Axl's strongest vocals and by far the best Guitar solo. huh.

But a great song!

TWAT was the first new Guns song I'd heard in the demo form

I still remember listening to it for the first time and getting a chill down my spine.  The vocal melodies, the lyrics, the guitars, the arrangements, it was awesome

Buckethead's solo on this song is one of my all time favorites

Listening to this track in the car, which can be powerful because you're in such a confined space, gave me the same goosebumps I get after hearing November Rain in it.  : ok:

can anybody recognize where where axl's guitar work is on the track? is it the only guitar behind the vocals in the verse.???

In my top 5 off CD.

Its just so insanely good and HUGE...  and impeccably arranged and produced - which had to be a monster task to accomplish. 

modified to add:  there's so much in this song to love but I gotta point out just how much I love the soaring"I would do anything for you....... " vocal part at the end  :drool:

I keep getting goosebumps. It never fails.  :nervous:

That's so funny because I said the exact same thing to my fiance. It's this album's "Estranged," if there were such.

This song is awesome, it really is.


And that guitar work at the end...   That's the sound of  someone ripping off Slash's head and shitting down his throat.   No disrespect to Slash, his solo on NR is spectacular.   But credit where it's due, the ending of this song if just absolutely phenomenal.  Spectacular. 

so...some time ago, Dave Navarro and Billy Morrison played this song on Camp Freddy radio and talked about getting goosebumps when Axl starts singing, and gave it a positive review.  At the end they get a caller who says he really likes the song and claims it's about Stephanie.  Dave doesn't sound convinced and just replies is that who it's about?

Now that I can finally read the lyrics:

To stimulate a cause
For the betterment of evils
And your ways around the laws  :o (harsh!...)
That keep you up and sitting pretty   (love the way he enunciates that last word)
On a pedestal or bed
And now you're sleeping like an angel
Never mind who just gave you head ....   unless Stephanie grew a magic penis, it ain't  about her.

And his sharp dig at insincere causes made me smile too.  It kinda reminded of Portia de Rossi's character on Arrested Development and her meaningless fundraisers for the betterment of evils.  Classic.  :)

Yeah at first I thought it was my cell phone going off  :rofl:  Then I realized that it was Axl's Demon voice, with a quick listen.

This song is cool, but I think it is a little overproduced and the chorus doesn't flow very well, one of the lesser songs for me.

It is still a good song and all, but not one of my favs... I skip it sometimes

If you don't smell like a can of sardines, women can receive head just as well.

 ;)

touche'


at 5:19 of twat is the best part of the solo for me (the whole build up to that point)
it just flows so nicely,
fucking great work Bucket,

I hope you comeback to the band.

ah, I guess I need to get out more  :hihi:  Well if it is about her, I never knew she was such a law breaker.

Getting back to the music, I wonder when it was decided to cap the song ends with that angel-sounding choir, I guess it fits with the line 'sleeping like an angel'.

I would put the 2nd half of TWAT up with any GNR song

actually the last 3/4....I am not big on the beginning, but when it kicks in "social class and registers..." the song takes off.

I posted about those lyrics yesterday, but for some reason my post disappeared..

The lyrics in the booklet are wrong, Axl sings:

"And now you're sleeping like an angel
Nevermind who you gave head"

I heard it on WAAF in Boston yesterday.  The DJ said that it was his favorite song on the album.

^yeah that is correct, i was listening to the song when i read his post but was too lazy to correct him :hihi:

Thanks for the correction then and a lesson on, um, oral pleasuring  :hihi:

I thought about the second verse again and it does seem to reflect the idle life of a certain type of supermodel - jet-setting from one port O' call to another, indulging in meaningless fundraisers and countless sexual trysts.  The lyrics cut his subject to ribbons.

This song has been a favorite of mine for a long time, especially since I saw them perform it in NY. I really think it's a masterpiece, my favourite track on the album. I think it does an outstanding job combining all the elements GnR is about, both old and new. I love the bass lines on the outro, the solo is incredible, outstanding melodies, and Axl is a genius with a pen and this is some of my favourite work he's ever done.

Eating a woman is also called "Head"


Not my favorite song on the album............. I am a lyrical person and for me, the lyrics just don't make a lot of sense.

The devil hates a loser and u thought u heard it all?

WTF does that mean?

thats like somebody raped my tapeworm abortion..................


Last half is awesome though, specially when Bucket kicks in. Wish the solo would go higher though during Axl's "I would Do anything for You" parts. have the guitar intensity match his intensity but it doesn't.

You thought you HAD it all.

The 'heard it all' is in the first verse and he's referring to himself, the knowledge that you gave me when I thought I'd heard it all.

I really like the lyrics of this song, but I'm just not in love with this song as other people are. Never was...

If I were to rate this song, I would probably give it somewhere between a 6 & a 7.

Yeah, its one of those where I don't hear what others hear. Its certainly a very good song but Id definitely rate it in the bottom half of the CD. I think This I Love,Sorry, Catcher, Madagascar and Street of Dreams are better ballads

I guess I see what you mean cause I never got everyone's fascination with Madagascar. I think TWAT is infinitely better than that song, which to me is the only low point of an otherwise stellar album.

anyone else think the first five seconds sound like deep forest?

other than that, amazing song

has anybody else noticed the awesome bass line?

woov woov woov..  ;D

Love this song! The second part with the intense guitar is just amazing. This is one of my favs on the album.

Haha definitely sir...

finally just noticed this 5 minutes ago listening to this song....the littlest things you miss when you don't pay attention all the way!

got to love the $350 Bose ;D

If not the best song on the album, one of the top three.   

The solo does truly rock.

My favourite song on the album. I always loved this from when it first leaked and this song still means a lot to me now. It leaked a matter of days after i came out of a long term relationship and the lyrics seemed to fit my emotions and how I felt perfectly. The orchestral arrangements are beautiful, the lyrics are, in my opinion, some of the best and most heartfelt from Axl ever and Buckethead's guitar solo is my favourite solo in a rock song ever, it almost brings me to tears it is THAT beautiful. Robin's solo is amazing too.

The only thing I could have done without on the finished version is the added Axl deep vocals on the chorus, which I feel are unnescessary. The chorus has undergone more changes than anything else in the song though and that is probably because it was heavily scrutinized by fans, Axl obvioulsy wasn't 100% happy with it in the beginning either.

At the end of the day, after taking care of all my many many many responsibilities, when I FINALLY get a chance to relax my mind and try to get some sleep before starting it all over again tomorrow, There Was A Time is the song that keeps repeating in my head.

I still haven't decided if that's a good thing or not.  :hihi:

I absolutely love this song.  The whole album has grown and grown on me, but this song has the most.  love the lyrics, the sound and the tempo.  What can I say, I LOVE TWAT!!

Great song - by no means my favorite on the album, but I'll bet it will kick some ass if they play it live sometime.

They already did in 2006. Quit playing it for some reason, maybe too complicated.

TWAT didn't go over well when I saw them plaing it at the 1st Hammerstein show..The leak had just come out, so I blame it on unfamilularity..

Great tune...Cool sing along chorus..

Same here!

I can identify with There was a time. (For me it's like Axl knows me and he's writing about a paticular time of my life.)  ;D
Excellent song. I listen to this cd once a week so that I won't burn my ears out. It stills knocks me out. Not one weak track on the cd.  :smoking:

As much as I adore This I Love and Catcher In The Rye, this is quite possibly the best song on the album. I can't fucking resist this thing, it's a true masterpiece in every aspect, from the brilliant guitar work to the vocals and the lyrics. This song alone showcases Axl's immence brillance as a songwriter.

i remember when this song was played live at the first hammerstein show, and within 2 seconds of the opening i knew it was TWAT, and i began to yell and scream... i remember being the only one so loud and excited, seeing as it was my favorite song at the time (second now only to prostitute).  no one was really familiar with it then.  still not tired of this one.  i like the new "it was a long time" vocal added in the chorus.

lol, I know that feeling of being the only one going wild over a new song when the rest of the crowd are just standing there dumbfounded and passive ;D
When they played IRS at one of the shows I went to, I was like oh shit and started cheering and clapping
People were like what the fuck is this guy on lol
But I loved every second of it ;D

Just saw your post.  Glad to know that I am not the only one who noticed that error.  It clearly sounds like "who you gave head". 

Just like you, I posted about the lyrics (started a thread twice) and it got deleted. I don't understand why moderators feel the need to delete any discussions about that. I love the album. One of the greatest since the mid-90's from any band. I just don't understand why there are so many "errors, mistakes" o the lyrics. TWAT is not the only one (at least CD, Better have missing lines in the printed lyrics). I think we should be able to talk about that. It's not like "they" didn't have time to check the booklet!!!  Anyway, could the moderators explain why this topic is censored?

 :hihi: best post ever

And his sharp dig at insincere causes made me smile too.  It kinda reminded of Portia de Rossi's character on Arrested Development and her meaningless fundraisers for the betterment of evils.  Classic.  :)
[/quote]

I posted about those lyrics yesterday, but for some reason my post disappeared..

The lyrics in the booklet are wrong, Axl sings:

"And now you're sleeping like an angel
Nevermind who you gave head"
[/quote]


Just saw your post.  Glad to know that I am not the only one who noticed that error.  It clearly sounds like "who you gave head". 

Just like you, I posted about the lyrics (started a thread twice) and it got deleted. I don't understand why moderators feel the need to delete any discussions about that. I love the album. One of the greatest since the mid-90's from any band. I just don't understand why there are so many "errors, mistakes" o the lyrics. TWAT is not the only one (at least CD, Better have missing lines in the printed lyrics). I think we should be able to talk about that. It's not like "they" didn't have time to check the booklet!!!  Anyway, could the moderators explain why this topic is censored?

[/quote]


So no answer from the moderators regarding deleted posts on lyrics, huh...  funny cause Axl himself didn't wait for a question regarding this issue mentioned it during the chat: "to release the album with unapproved and unseen final artwork with a !st work only error filled draft when others more recent were readily available still has not been explained but is finally getting cleared up"

So no one can take responsibilty for their actions on this site, right.... lame...

Easily my favorite song on CD.  best guitars, so emotional.  Sick vocals at the end.  Killer lyrics.  Did I mention amazing guitars?  Great feel of old + new Guns sound.

I thought it was "nevermind who you gave head"

Yeah, I think it is. That "who gave you head" comes from the booklet, but it's just one of the many typos I believe. I always thought it was "who you gave head", make more sense that way too.

Well I should hope so.

Yep, that's what it is. Pretty clear when you listen to the song. My favorite song of the record.

yeah, my original post was referring to the booklet (and a whole lot more..). Although, imo, he does mumble that line so perhaps the transcriber decided to have a joke at everyone's expense.

The next person to continue replying to my abbreviated post wins a pair of clown shoez!


Now then,

At the start of the song (~0.03), I hear this cool whirring noise that sounds like a windup toy a kid would play with. I imagine it's meant to evoke a feeling of the past when we were innocent and thought we had it all.

I also love the way Axl holds the 'time' for like 5 seconds at 2:30 right before the guitars kick in, it always sends a shiver down my spine.


If I could go back in time
to that place in my place in my soul

I've felt that way countless times.

Is this song now called something else?  I thought I read in one of the Axl Q&As that he said this song is on Chinese Democracy...???

Yes, There Was A Time ...

Exactly, TWAT is just what we all call it to save a mouthful

But TWAT can sometimes be a mouthful.  :hihi:

I was waiting for a pretty deep question about the song so I got a bit of a surprise when I opened it.

 :peace:

TWAT would look a bit sleazy on the back of the cd cover, glad they went with There Was A Time.

would look a bit suspect having TWAT and PROSTITUE i suppose

Oh God... I can't believe I didn't catch that.  LOL.

I have a new favorite track about every week and right now it's TWAT.  I love what was added from the 2006 leak.  ;D

I have started watching this new production of WUTHERING HEIGHTS on Masterpiece classic. TWAT totally makes me think of the epic and destructive love of Cathy and Heathcliff. I think TWAT could be part 5 of the DC,NR and Estranged trilogy.

Help me. I don?t understand what is the meaning of "Who gave you head".  ??? Why is strange that a woman gave head?

Wow, that'd actually be brilliant. It would make perfect sense. Actually, now that you mention it, I can totally see the Wuthering Heights link too. I love that book.

Don't worry. It took me a while too ;)

"give head" is slang for giving oral sex, so if she "gave head" she sucked someones dick : ok:

Thanks for the explanation. : ok:

The Cathy in this version reminds me so much of Stephenie Seymour, especially the way that she chose wealth and position over true love. She was actually quite cruel to both of those men. They both deserved BETTER! Edgar and Heathcliff that is. And AXL TOO!

I love the drumming during the last few minutes of this song.  : ok:

I sit in my room singing along to this song, it is awesome

Piano: Paul Tobias

Wonder if it was composed on piano as well....





/jarmo

Does anyone else dig the cool acoustic guitars and what I'm assuming are claps or some kind of percussion device during Robin's solo?

When BH takes over the song, might be one of the best solo's ever.  I really hope this song is a regular when they tour again. I wish I went to the 5/12 Hammerstein show !!!!

Well Paul helped write the song, so it's quite probable......

i like the song

Greatest "Guns N' Roses" Guitar Solo Ever.

Song has many layers to it.

Reminds me a bit of Moby, like Extreme Ways.

Still my favourite song on the album.

This song is my favourite on Chinese Democracy, think they've only played it once on this tour. Would love the guys to play it more, the solos are out of this world and Axl's vocals are class! If I get to see them live this year I hope they'll play TWAT

To be 100% honest, i think the 1999 demo version is much better then the one that ended up on the cd.

I like the guitars better and i also like that the song ends with Axl screaming There was a time instead of the long solo parts.

I think GNR should have had the 1999 version perfected without changing it too much, and have TWAT be a single so they could put the longer version as a B-side on the single.
Thats just my opinion!

The album version is also great though! : ok:

I liked the Cocaine in the hall lyrics :drool: :drool: :drool:

I just want to give Tommy the praise he deserves for that wicked bass riff he's added to the finished version. This along with axl's added vocal layers proves that playing around with a song and getting different ideas for sections can improve a song immensely. I also noticed buckethead's outro solo is turned up significantly to what it was previously.

But Tommy's bass really shines through for me on this track.

Lee

I can hear the piano parts clear as day on this crumby Wal-Mart stereo I have up here in Toronto. Can't get the melody out of my head :smoking:

Where she was while she was sleeping,
in another woman's bed,
At 1st I thought Axl was claiming the woman was a lesbian. But now I'm thinking it's a reference that she was cheating on him w/ a married man.

or the doctors or the lawyers,
or a stranger that she met.
If there's nothing I can gain from this,
or anything at all,
it'd be the knowledge that ya gave me,
when I thought I'd heard it all.
Perhaps she alway has a reason for not being home. He's being positive/sarcastic. This relationship hasn't been a total waist, he's gained knowledge for future relations..

You just thought of that now?

At 1st I thought Axl was claiming the woman was a lesbian. But now I'm thinking it's a reference that she was cheating on him w/ a married man.


You just thought of that now?

No, but until previously the TWAT thread has been buried..