Chinese Democracy needs a pop song...

[da_pope]

Before you guys start accusing me of Axl bashing I'd like to state that I love Better and i think it's a kick ass song but I'm just saying it's not going to come near to what you guys are expecting it to.

A reunited Guns couldn't release a top 5 hit these days. There is no chance.
Rock N' Roll is dead when it comes to mainstream radio.

[HungerForChaos]

Better is not hard at all, just in one spot and not for long! It will be a hit, and has a pop sound to it. I don't know if it'll be #1, but I'm guessing it'll be pretty high. Atleast #20 and that's being optimistic...

[da_pope]

Sweet Child O' Mine wasn't played on stations like that when it was current. It is now, but so is plenty of other stuff from that era that was never played on those same stations when they were released. I guess I don't understand what you're asking of GNR then. Are you saying they need to include something that sounds like All American Rejects or something like that to get airplay on "mainstream" radio stations?

Thats because in the 80's Rock was mainstream.
It was the equivalent to Hip Hop and R&B today.

I'm saying it needs a song that could get heavy airplay on those kind of radio stations for it to reach the numbers you guys are expecting.

[da_pope]

Better is not hard at all, just in one spot and not for long! It will be a hit, and has a pop sound to it. I don't know if it'll be #1, but I'm guessing it'll be pretty high. Atleast #20 and that's being optimistic...

Top 20 would be very impressive for a hard rock band.
Thats probably the goal of the record company. Top 5 is almost out of the question.

[russtcb]

Sweet Child O' Mine wasn't played on stations like that when it was current. It is now, but so is plenty of other stuff from that era that was never played on those same stations when they were released. I guess I don't understand what you're asking of GNR then. Are you saying they need to include something that sounds like All American Rejects or something like that to get airplay on "mainstream" radio stations?

Thats because in the 80's Rock was mainstream.
It was the equivalent to Hip Hop and R&B today.

I'm saying it needs a song that could get heavy airplay on those kind of radio stations for it to reach the numbers you guys are expecting.

In the 80s rock was played on the same stations it is played on today. However, since that time all of those bands have gotten moved to being in rotation on the mainstream pop stations as well. For instance Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, GNR and some Crue are all played on the same stations that play Matchbox, Nickelback & that crap. But I asked what your point was? Do you mean that GNR should release something that sounds like Nickelback & Matchbox to get pop radio play?

[DaNutz]

Better will probably hit #1 on the ROCK CHARTS...The only song that has a chance of going #1 of the main charts
is ' The Blues'....This will be the POP song your looking for.

[dave-gnfnr2k]

99% of the people that have heard Better have liked it.  Most people get into it, the song could be huge on radio stations. Its really too bad Better didnt leak instead of IRS, i would have loved to hear the reaction.  A lot of the new gnr songs have hip hop beats which the kiddies of today love. Better is a club song that would get people going crazy.  You should bring a CD of BEtter to club and ask the DJ to pop it in and see what happens.

[EccoTides]

I actually completely agree with da_pope on this one.

Better is way too heavy to make an impact outside of hard rock radio - I like the song, but they need something that's catchier and lighter to capture a wide audience. Better will definitely turn heads, but it won't be that mega-huge single that GNR needs.



CITR would be my instant pick, but lyrically it's too complex for radio. I'm sure there's something else waiting in the wings - I have a strong feeling we'll hear the 1st single at Rio.

[bazgnr]

In response to the thread title, then:

Better is a phenominal song, and is *extremely* catchy and "radio-friendly."

CITR, when I first heard it, made me think "Damn. ?This sounds just like a lite-rock pop song I'd see on VH1 these days." ?(I liked it very much, but I was still surprised).

Chinese Democracy is a hard-hitting, short number that could hold it's own above the heavy-metal/nu-metal currently getting play on most rock stations.

"The Blues" speaks for itself...a bit long, but still - melody, drama, etc. ?Again, a great choice as a stand-alone, piano-pop song.

Really, from what I've heard of Democracy, I have a hard time finding a track that's *not* a well-written pop song. ?The only one that doesn't fit that mold, assuming it's still on the track list, is OMG. ?But as far as CD needing a pop song, I don't agree. ?

[the dirt]

They need a song like "Man, I feel like a woman" by Shania Twain!

[comaknight]

The only song that has a chance of going #1 of the main charts is ' The Blues'....This will be the POP song your looking for.

Agreed.  Universal theme, familiar sound, short enough to release as an easily digestible single for radio.  I don't expect them to be #1 on the radio, necessarily, as most radio is corporate crap anyhow.  The album, however, will debut at #1, undoubtedly.  The public curiosity itself will take care of that.  How long it can maintain a strong chart position will depend on word of mouth, choice of radio singles, tv & radio saturation and, of course, accessibility. 

Personally, I couldn't give less of a turd about how the mass American public greets the record except for the fact that it could have possible negative consequences on Axl's willingness to continue touring and releasing records.  He's never had much love of critics.

If only other singing types would respond to public outcries of "it stinks!" perhaps Rob Thomas would go silently into that beige boring night.

[jimmythegent]

I dont really see Better as a pop song or a single for that matter

Too much going on, too complex and too heavy

[dizzy68]

 If there is any new song that is destined to be a Hit, it is "THE BLUES". That's a kick ass song that has the best chances of becoming Number One on the Radio. That's a song that would work with many different formats. Rock , Pop , AC. GnR would be smart to release that song first.

[ben9785]

i appreciate and respect what you all have to say, you've got very valid reasons

personally i couldn't give a fuck if they have a pop song or a hit single or anything

i love the direction the album is taking now..the hard edge and the experimentation...i hope they don't compromise that

having said that, "Better" does have alot of potential to be a 'hit'

also having said that, there are more songs we have yet to hear so we can't judge..

but regardless it doesn't matter if Guns do or don't break into the charts with a huge single..the charts and the mainstream are all bullshit anyway..the band is already legendary...and at least they are progressing with new material rather than being nostalgic or trying to recapture their glory days and make AFD part two or whatever

[HungerForChaos]

 If there is any new song that is destined to be a Hit, it is "THE BLUES". That's a kick ass song that has the best chances of becoming Number One on the Radio. That's a song that would work with many different formats. Rock , Pop , AC. GnR would be smart to release that song first.

I wouldn't be so quick to say that, they might have another song that's still unheard that they'd rather release.

[tHeElEcTrIcSiNtAr]

As far as Better goes, and it being too heavy for teenage girls or whatever. I just graduated high school, and when Better first got leaked I showed it to to all my friends, both boys and girls, and they all loved it. The song is wicked catchy and people love it. Some people who have never liked Guns, liked this song when I showed them. This song has huge potential to be a mass mainstream hit, with both teens and adults. Both pop fans, and metal fans. Better is so diverse that it appeals to both types to music fans. It's my favorite song at the moment.

[ben9785]

As far as Better goes, and it being too heavy for teenage girls or whatever. I just graduated high school, and when Better first got leaked I showed it to to all my friends, both boys and girls, and they all loved it. The song is wicked catchy and people love it. Some people who have never liked Guns, liked this song when I showed them. This song has huge potential to be a mass mainstream hit, with both teens and adults. Both pop fans, and metal fans. Better is so diverse that it appeals to both types to music fans. It's my favorite song at the moment.

fuck yeah.. i love "Better" its one of my favourite songs of all time by any band

The studio version is going to own so badly..i just hope it isn't too heavily processed..

[Super-Ecwfan1]

 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? I.R.S was at #49 on the radio airplay chart with numerous requests and was gaining upwards when they pulled it back in Feb. I'd say it has the " in your face " of Guns n Roses and be the 1st single off the album. They need a " Welcome to the Jungle " to annouce thier presence more than a SCOM right now.

 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Then release " Better " or " The Blues " as the 2nd single. Axl loves " There Was A Time " though and I can see a video for it more than likely. If theres 3 singles I can see it flowing like that .

 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Plus has anyone looked the last Billboard chart ? To say " Rock is D.O.A " right now is a very foolish statement.

1# : Red Hot Chillapeppers

3# : Tool

7# ?: The Raconters

10# : Pearl Jam


 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Thats 4 albums in the top 10 currently. Rock can sell if its done right. The world evolves. Those who liked Backstreet Boys in 1999-2000 will grow and want more substantial music years later. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

[johnnythunders24]

rhcp "dani california" is #6 on billboard hot 100 right now...

honestly i dont think "better" is radio friendly...nor is it one of my fav new gn'r songs, i like the part about 2:30 minutes in, but the beginning and end are lame to me...i don't understand why it seems to be so popular on the gn'r boards.

catcher in the rye is "pop" and could be a radio hit on the cd version maybe

twat is also, probably a hit on rock radio, prolly not cross over, because of the length

but "the blues" is probably the best shot at hot 100 of the new songs...at leat thats what i think

but the best is yet to come i still believe

[da_pope]

TWAT needs a new chorus. Like... Really need a new chorus.