GNR Filler songs

[Krispy Kreme]

UYI is where GNR fans split into two very different communities. There are those of us who, like the rest of the world, see Appetite as clearly their high point, with UYI as either a pretty good or, in some of our opinions, a lame follow-up to a legendary album. Then there are those who think Appetite is like this ordinary rock record, while UYI is the work of God's own hand. But I don't understand the people who think UYI is perfect and has no filler, or only My World. Even Axl seems to think UYI was disappointing.

I do not agree.
First, Axl never said UYI was disappointing. I may be wrong, but if he  did, then give dates and outlet.
Second, I do not know  of anyone who thinks AFD is ordinary and UYI is from the gods, so that is a red herring.
Third, I do not know of anyone who thinks UYI is perfect.

So basically your premise is mistaken and the argument  overstated.

The gap between perfection and filler is quite large. There can be no filler and the album short of perfection. I happen to think UYI is solid top to bottom, but perfect? No, there is no such thing as perfection, in the music world or anywhere else. And  IF perfection did exist, it would be Abbey Road by the Beatles. 

[jameslofton29]

I do not agree.
First, Axl never said UYI was disappointing. I may be wrong, but if he? did, then give dates and outlet.

I think he is referring to the time Axl said he felt the Illusions albums were "rushed", and would have done it a little differently. Dont remember the article he made the comments, but he did say that. But I dont remember him using the term "disappointing". That doesn't sound like a term Axl would use to describe his own work.

[Krispy Kreme]

I do not agree.
First, Axl never said UYI was disappointing. I may be wrong, but if he? did, then give dates and outlet.

I think he is referring to the time Axl said he felt the Illusions albums were "rushed", and would have done it a little differently. Dont remember the article he made the comments, but he did say that. But I dont remember him using the term "disappointing". That doesn't sound like a term Axl would use to describe his own work.

Right, I agree. That is exactly what he is referring to. I remember. But he never  said disappointing.

[BluesGNR]

The illusions may have been rushed.. but they still made musical history if you ask me.  Its a matter of quality of quantity.. it may have been shoved onto the shelves too quickly, but it was still kickass.

[estebanf]

shotgun blues, get in the ring, so fine on UYI 2 for sure

I completely agree with you about ''Shotgun Blues'', more or less with ''So Fine'' but definitly ''Get In The Ring'' is one of the best tracks on Use Your Illusion II

Come on, you just like Get in the ring for the rant like everyone else, admit it.

hahahaha maybe you're right, but I'm from argentina, and I used to enjoy Get In The Ring without knowing the meaning of the lyrics! Now I'm older, I know a little more english and I still enjoy that song! I think that Get in The Ring is 5 minutes of TNT, I love the song.

The song is only good for drunk sing alongs.

you're right, I admit it 

[dark n doom]

LALD on UYI1, KOHD, SB, MW on UYI2

[iloozion]

LALD on UYI1, KOHD, SB, MW on UYI2

what?!!   LJKUI on GHYFDS, DP, SWV!

anyway, i think the beauty of the Illusion albums (and GNR)  is that there's something on there for everyone - that's the reason that we're all here on this board, cos there was something in GN'Rs music that we liked. it crosses many borders and genres and that is the genius of it and why they were/are so popular. you may think they were wrong to include a particular song (for whatever reason) but pretty much every song is someones favourite.

[oldgunsfan]

Live and Let Die
Knocking On Heaven's Door
The Alt Lyrics of Don't Cry
So Fine
My World
Dust N Bones
Double Talkin Jive

They may not be filler, but the majority of the time they are "skips" to the next song

[madagas]

If your skipping Dust N Bones and Double Talkin Jive and still listening to Get in the Ring....then............I'm speechless.

[ryan_of_lax]

Don't Cry was the first single from UYIs, am I right? (Not considering YCBM/Civil War Single... Those were from Terminator 2)
So, by putting one version of the first single on each CD, it made sure that one CD wouldn't sell better than the other right away. I think it's just a good marketing idea, and that probably explains the two versions.

Personally, I like the Alt Lyrics a lot more.

I don't get why "bad" songs on double albums are always called filler, whereas if it were a single CD, they would simply be called bad songs.

To me, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness has a lot of filler. I think if it were cut down to a single CD, it would have been AMAZING. I can't say the same for the Use Your Illusions. Both CDs are 74 minutes (the maximum at the time). To cut out half the songs to make a single CD would have been horrible. Especially considering there are pretty much 3-4 songs that most people consider filler.

[ppbebe]

I do not agree.
First, Axl never said UYI was disappointing. I may be wrong, but if he  did, then give dates and outlet.

I think he is referring to the time Axl said he felt the Illusions albums were "rushed", and would have done it a little differently. Dont remember the article he made the comments, but he did say that. But I dont remember him using the term "disappointing". That doesn't sound like a term Axl would use to describe his own work.

Right, I agree. That is exactly what he is referring to. I remember. But he never  said disappointing.

No. This one for instanse.

"I gave into a lot of pressure on Illusions both internally in Guns and externally in the press, those albums suffered as a consequence, it's not something I'm too excited to have to live with again."
- Axl summer 02
http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=82

[adry]

just because u don't exactly like some of the songs on the album does not mean that they are fillers...

[oldgunsfan]

Don't Cry was the first single from UYIs, am I right? (Not considering YCBM/Civil War Single... Those were from Terminator 2)
So, by putting one version of the first single on each CD, it made sure that one CD wouldn't sell better than the other right away. I think it's just a good marketing idea, and that probably explains the two versions.

Personally, I like the Alt Lyrics a lot more.

I don't get why "bad" songs on double albums are always called filler, whereas if it were a single CD, they would simply be called bad songs.

To me, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness has a lot of filler. I think if it were cut down to a single CD, it would have been AMAZING. I can't say the same for the Use Your Illusions. Both CDs are 74 minutes (the maximum at the time). To cut out half the songs to make a single CD would have been horrible. Especially considering there are pretty much 3-4 songs that most people consider filler.

The alt lyrics came to axl when he was recording the original

Axl: While I was recording the original version I started hearing another melody and words in my head. It really surprised me. I told Mike Clink, our producer, 'Put me on another track! I don't know what's happening here but I've got a different song coming through my head and I want to get that on tape.

[oldgunsfan]

I do not agree.
First, Axl never said UYI was disappointing. I may be wrong, but if he? did, then give dates and outlet.

I think he is referring to the time Axl said he felt the Illusions albums were "rushed", and would have done it a little differently. Dont remember the article he made the comments, but he did say that. But I dont remember him using the term "disappointing". That doesn't sound like a term Axl would use to describe his own work.

Right, I agree. That is exactly what he is referring to. I remember. But he never? said disappointing.

No. This one for instanse.

"I gave into a lot of pressure on Illusions both internally in Guns and externally in the press, those albums suffered as a consequence, it's not something I'm too excited to have to live with again."
- Axl summer 02
http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=82

He says that 11 years later but in 1991 he said they came out exactly the way they wanted to and took their sweet time to make sure they did.  The king of contradiction.

Axl: Everything on that record is exactly the f*cking way we wanted it. I can find a couple of points where a not wasn't quite in time, and a couple of things like that, but everything came out the way we wanted it. That's not to say it's perfect or it's the best, but we have a real good understanding of our abilities and what we sound like now and what we were able to do. I didn't really do any harmonies with myself like on "Sweet Child." On this record, I just sang with myself. It was in different keys, so there was some form of harmony. But it wasn't planned harmonies like on "Sweet Child" or "Nightrain" on the first record. I just wanted to sing with myself in a different octave.

Axl: We've known from day one that the record wasn't going to come out until we're ready. That's one reason why we worked so hard to sell so many records the first time around - so that we could make sure we got this record done exactly the way we wanted to. Then the press comes out with how we are delaying the record. No! What do you mean delaying the record? It's my record! Delaying it? Do we want another Godfather III? No. We don't want Godfather III with our record. We want it to be right! We don't want it coming out six weeks early and saying, "I wish we would have had the time to get this part right."

[oldgunsfan]

just because u don't exactly like some of the songs on the album does not mean that they are fillers...

and if you read the full post, you'll see that is exactly what i say

[jameslofton29]

He says that 11 years later but in 1991 he said they came out exactly the way they wanted to and took their sweet time to make sure they did.? The king of contradiction.

Axl: Everything on that record is exactly the f*cking way we wanted it. I can find a couple of points where a not wasn't quite in time, and a couple of things like that, but everything came out the way we wanted it. That's not to say it's perfect or it's the best, but we have a real good understanding of our abilities and what we sound like now and what we were able to do. I didn't really do any harmonies with myself like on "Sweet Child." On this record, I just sang with myself. It was in different keys, so there was some form of harmony. But it wasn't planned harmonies like on "Sweet Child" or "Nightrain" on the first record. I just wanted to sing with myself in a different octave.

Axl: We've known from day one that the record wasn't going to come out until we're ready. That's one reason why we worked so hard to sell so many records the first time around - so that we could make sure we got this record done exactly the way we wanted to. Then the press comes out with how we are delaying the record. No! What do you mean delaying the record? It's my record! Delaying it? Do we want another Godfather III? No. We don't want Godfather III with our record. We want it to be right! We don't want it coming out six weeks early and saying, "I wish we would have had the time to get this part right."

In fairness to Axl, I dont consider that a contradiction. The statements you have posted are from many years ago, and he was proud of what they had done, so I see nothing wrong with his comments. Years later, he was able to see the mistakes that were made.

[oldgunsfan]

either that or he's justifying 15 years between albums and blaming everyone but himself for the delay

[ppbebe]

like james said, t's only natural that 11 yrs of reviewing should change your opinion of your past work.

I think there's no filler. Those are overload. There must have been no room for a filler.

[themovieaddict.com]

You Ain't the First, So Fine, Shotgun Blues, Get in the Ring, 14 Years, Yesterdays, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Civil War, My World, Estranged, You Could Be Mine, Coma, Locomotive, Don't Cry.

Just kidding. 

[EccoTides]

There's a ton of filler on those albums - While there are a bunch of great songs, no doubt, it seems that for every brilliant song like Civil War, there's a mediocre and boring one like Bad Obsession or Don't Damn Me.