Lack of Chinese Democracy (The song) in the set

[ppbebe]

They changed the intro for the 2006 tour, but I got a feeling they don't think its just right yet so they are gonna work on it then play it for the real tour.

as a new opener.
My guess is that the song is developing into it as we speak.
and when we hear the song open the show, it will break all hell loose.

[lennonisgod]

i love the song. one of my favorites.

my guess is that it will be the first single, and that may be why they are not playing it.

i think it has potential to be a huge hit.

Personally, I love the song as well and it still does have huge potential, but if it was the first single, that wouldn't be good at all for this album.  The song just won't win over people that aren't fans of Guns N' Roses already, it just won't.  I've been playing the song (and other new songs) to people for the last 5 years and nobody has ever made a comment about liking it.  Better should be the first single or the single may be a song we haven't heard yet.  Fuck, my girlfriend loves Better and she's not the type of person to say that about any of my music.  She even sings along with it and most of my friends that are "casual" fans of GN'R love the song as well.  Anyway, Chinese Democracy is still missing something and I don't know what it is. Like I said above, it could be a great fucking song but something is holding it back.  I love the song, I really dig the intro,  but I'm biased because GN'R is my favorite band.  IN REALITY, I think the title track should be one of those tracks that STAND OUT to people.  It needs to be stronger than it is right now and I don't think the finished version will be any different than the one they are playing live right now.  Otherwise it would mean that they are still recording and working on finishing songs, which would suck. 

[25]

Personally, I love the song as well and it still does have huge potential, but if it was the first single, that wouldn't be good at all for this album.  The song just won't win over people that aren't fans of Guns N' Roses already, it just won't.   

I don't think that "winning people over" is really an important consideration at this point. I think the question is whether the song will get a buttload of radioplay and media attention, regardless of whether it's Chinese or a different song. I know that most of us want GNR to come out firing on all cylinders and immediately reclaim their position as a top band but that's going to take more work than just picking the right song as the first single.

As for why CD isn't a constant in the live set, who knows? Only IRS and BETTER are really constants, and that could simply be because they're relatively simple to reproduce on stage.

[Mattattack]

I think Chinese Democracy is missing a kick ass solo and vocal melody. I think it has potential to be a nice album track, but definitely not single material. As for why they are not playing it...who knows? This whole tour is a fucking mystery, and a potential disaster, if they don't release the album and start doing promotion. Anybody know how the arena shows in Cali have sold? I just want the album to come out before the tour goes tits up from lack of promotion, late start times, and poor ticket sales. 

[25]

This whole tour is a fucking mystery, and a potential disaster

Everything is a "potential disaster."
It's hardly as if GNR have the disaster market cornered.
This post is a potential disaster. 

[HoldenCaulfield]

Yeah, it baffles one's mind. They have a kickass rocker that is full of energy, and they hardly ever play it. It needs to be the opener...

[lennonisgod]

Personally, I love the song as well and it still does have huge potential, but if it was the first single, that wouldn't be good at all for this album.  The song just won't win over people that aren't fans of Guns N' Roses already, it just won't.   

I don't think that "winning people over" is really an important consideration at this point. I think the question is whether the song will get a buttload of radioplay and media attention, regardless of whether it's Chinese or a different song. I know that most of us want GNR to come out firing on all cylinders and immediately reclaim their position as a top band but that's going to take more work than just picking the right song as the first single.

As for why CD isn't a constant in the live set, who knows? Only IRS and BETTER are really constants, and that could simply be because they're relatively simple to reproduce on stage.

You're absolutely wrong about that. EVERY BAND WOULD LIKE TO WIN OVER PEOPLE AND HAVE NEW FANS OF THEIR MUSIC!! It's common sense and this album isn't going to be any different. How can you think that radio play is so important, but choosing the single isn't?? Most radio stations only play fucking singles.  So if the first single was somehow "shitty", then there goes the radio play and thus all of the music fans that listen to the radio on a daily basis.  It's not that confusing.

[HamsterDemocracy]

I don't think Axl likes the song very much, Tommy was really surprised when Axl said he'd play it at Download.

[jazjme]

Personally, I love the song as well and it still does have huge potential, but if it was the first single, that wouldn't be good at all for this album.  The song just won't win over people that aren't fans of Guns N' Roses already, it just won't.   




I don't think that "winning people over" is really an important consideration at this point. I think the question is whether the song will get a buttload of radioplay and media attention, regardless of whether it's Chinese or a different song. I know that most of us want GNR to come out firing on all cylinders and immediately reclaim their position as a top band but that's going to take more work than just picking the right song as the first single.

As for why CD isn't a constant in the live set, who knows? Only IRS and BETTER are really constants, and that could simply be because they're relatively simple to reproduce on stage.

You're absolutely wrong about that. EVERY BAND WOULD LIKE TO WIN OVER PEOPLE AND HAVE NEW FANS OF THEIR MUSIC!! It's common sense and this album isn't going to be any different. How can you think that radio play is so important, but choosing the single isn't?? Most radio stations only play fucking singles.  So if the first single was somehow "shitty", then there goes the radio play and thus all of the music fans that listen to the radio on a daily basis.  It's not that confusing.

Just to add, and just taking your post as one of many of the same.

How many bands have as much hardcore support from fans as GNR, honestly I would love to know, how many bands have off the cuff of my head numerous fan made sites, that attrract thousands of people. weather  you post on them or not. And may I add, what band has giving fans the oppurtunity, of pre sales, for well this yr it seems almost every show. I may be wrong but I will guess not many.

Casual fans are finding aboubt this site and others, because of us die hards, and the masses are growing. And many of these casual fans, never heard GNR do old material, again its a point that seems to go over many people , and when I read a review from someone, who was blown away who was a old die hard, and now really aprreciates and GETS the new band, well that can only be happenin 100 fold  at shows. itrs a grass roots approach, and its working brillantly. And Axlsayd the album will be out this yr, soo, with that in mind, the album could be releseased ina 2 week window anywhere from now till dec, with no forwarning, but a huge announcement and fan fare, and thats all it needs, these shows are the starting ground, for people to see the band, to feel the excitement, to get to know the new guys. And they are proving thier worth. BUt like I had to tell anyone here that!.lol Its gonna be a sweet yr end for us the fans !And as far as CD, its sounds phenominal live since hammerstein, Im sure they are keeping it for the true tour start. and or rgith after CD is released.

[King Sand]

I think Chinese Democracy is a great song as it is now...  I'm suprised that so many people don't think it's that good (but it's just a matter of taste I guess)...  It would make a great opener to a show cause it's got lots of energy and kick...  I think it will be a better "album" track too, and as a first single...  A lot of people like "Better" for the first single, but I think they should really save that one for a second (it has huge hit potential and will reach out to non-GNR fans)...

[25]

You're absolutely wrong about that. EVERY BAND WOULD LIKE TO WIN OVER PEOPLE AND HAVE NEW FANS OF THEIR MUSIC!! It's common sense and this album isn't going to be any different. How can you think that radio play is so important, but choosing the single isn't?? Most radio stations only play fucking singles.  So if the first single was somehow "shitty", then there goes the radio play and thus all of the music fans that listen to the radio on a daily basis.  It's not that confusing.

You've absolutely misinterpreted what I said. 
Short version: The first single doesn't have to be the most commercial "please everyone all of the time" track on CD. The biggest obstacle to GNR at the moment is their credibility in the nedia, and with their first new release will come the inevitable second-guessing and comparisons to the old band. They could do with a release and a supporting marketing strategy which addresses or deflates those arguments. Because simply releasing the most radio-friendly song you have isn't going to stop the douchebag djs/vjs/show-hosts from adding their commentary, and if that commentary is "it's just axl and a cover band, where's slash?!" it's going to have a detrimental effect.

[King Sand]

You've absolutely misinterpreted what I said. 
Short version: The first single doesn't have to be the most commercial "please everyone all of the time" track on CD. The biggest obstacle to GNR at the moment is their credibility in the nedia, and with their first new release will come the inevitable second-guessing and comparisons to the old band. They could do with a release and a supporting marketing strategy which addresses or deflates those arguments. Because simply releasing the most radio-friendly song you have isn't going to stop the douchebag djs/vjs/show-hosts from adding their commentary, and if that commentary is "it's just axl and a cover band, where's slash?!" it's going to have a detrimental effect.

Agreed... Credibility in the media is the key...