what if Estranged had been released first

[jimmythegent]

definitley the most moving of the GN'R epics, ive always believed it is far superior to November Rain. However, it was bad choice for a single - its a fans song, definitley an album song. The video signified everything that had gone wrong with GN'R at that point too (the bloatedness, rampant egomania etc..)

[Elrothiel]

I love Estranged, and I just wish that more people could hear it.
I have UYI2 in my car and I insist on playing Estranged at extreme volumes with the windows wound down (yes, even in the winter, and yes, even on the motorway in the winter), just so people can hear the brilliantness of it!
I get dirty looks from chavs/townies/preppies but that's only because they don't like rock, but occasionally there'll be someone who'll start grinning ear to ear, just like I would if I heard it being blasted out of a car window completely unexpectedly!
I especially like doing it when there's lots of traffic, and when there's lots of people on the pavement/sidewalk. I turn it up even louder then!
Long live Estranged!
Long Live Axl Rose!
\m/-_-\m/

[Genesis]

Estranged is a great song with brilliant guitar riffs... It's the video that GN'R screwed up with. Fucking dolphins!

[norway]

Fucking dolphins!

well you gotta admit it's better that tuna

[In a coma]

definitley the most moving of the GN'R epics, ive always believed it is far superior to November Rain. However, it was bad choice for a single - its a fans song, definitley an album song. The video signified everything that had gone wrong with GN'R at that point too (the bloatedness, rampant egomania etc..)

Couldn't agree more Axl your sat with a dolphin. That should have been the wake up call Axl needed. Unbelievable song!!! I believe if it had been released first it would have been a hit. Hey maybee it will be the first single off CD (joke).

[Johnnyblood]

I prefer Estranged to November Rain (which was and remains a major letdown, because I was expecting something much much more energetic and thrilling... as I've said, based on accounts of the song before it was recorded ("...or I'll quit the business") I thought November Rain would pick up where Rocket Queen left off, and actually improve on it).

However, Estranged was probably never destined to be any kind of hit or a classic song. For that to happen it has to appeal to many people on very broad levels.

I do know this though: I saw Estranged performed live one of the first times ever (Alpine Valley, the first Get in the Ring show May '91) and I can remember Axl calling it his 'personal baby' or something. I remember it sounding dramatic, but for the life of me, after the show I could not at all remember anything of the song, not even a few words or any melodies. And one of the tests of 'hit' type songs is that they are memorable after the first listen. That is probably what a lot of people thought of Estranged when the heard it the first time (most likely on MTV with the video).

I think for the average fan, the only thing memorable about Estranged is its length and the wacky dolphin.

[Axl4Prez2004]

no other song in music history has ever moved me like estranged does. so in a sick way im glad its not thought of as a all time classic song, kind of my own undiscovered treasure that didnt get overplayed.

"D,"  all I can say is amen brother!   

[Saul]

without the success of dont cry and nov rain they wouldnt have been able to afford to even make the estranged video. IMHO.

[Furious Styles]

I had always wondered how history would have played out if Don't Cry appeared on AFD and Estranged was released as a single on Use Your Illusion, more or less taking Don't Cry's place.

[RichardNixon]

I remember "Estranged" being at #2 on MTV most requested countdown. So I'd say it was a hit at the time. It's just that it came out at the tail-end of the GN'R era.