What Is Axl Singing About Now?

[Neemo]

If you want to see it then you can find ways to relate most of the new songs to the old band, particularily Chinese Democracy and Madagascar, but I'm sure the real motivation and inspiration behind these lyrics run a bit deeper than this. I'm sure the break-up of the old band plays its part in Axl's think although I don't think it's quite such a large part as some people make it out to be afterall what self respecting musician would want to have an album into which they've had a considerable input where every other track has the singer pining about lost relationships with previous bandmates?

i know its old newws for us....but Axl never sounded out on the subject publically really. I dont think that it should be ruled as subject matter of alot of songs

@ gcluskey and one PF album is about Syd Barrett to is it not?

[gcluskey]

@ gcluskey and one PF album is about Syd Barrett to is it not?

'Wish You Were Here'...two of the songs on that album were about Syd

[zigthis]

What's he singing about?  Post-analysis.  Retrospective.

I think most of the post-Illusion songs have this over-the shoulder point-of-view, looking back at failed relationships and past events.  Can't blame him, since the ten years or so of GNR were blatantly the most defining and action packed of his life.  Also remember these 'new' songs were written a long time ago themselves, so when 'debuted' in 2009 or whenever, people can't say Rose is all stuck in the past (though they will anyway). 

I'm kinda more interested in the Democracy followup, to see what he's really got to say and where he's headed musically...

[fuckin crazy]

the War? War in general..Civil War was written prior to Dessert Storm..It's not a protest in any way..Something I alay respected Axl/GN'R for. Being as big as they were they stayed away from preaching their political views towards th fans.
Back in 1990 a partyicular rant/intro for Double Talkin' Jive was dedicated to Bush and Clinton after Ross Perot briefly dropped out of the election. Yet Axl stayed away from telling everyone who to vote for.

Nothing errks me more than an artist telling his audience who to vote for.

Why? Politics is a part of our life, as everything else that is sung about. I like bands with a political attitude, because it's part of my everyday life.

Okay, someone who wants to tell me what I have to vote - that sucks, hands down. But artists who tell me what THEY think about politics? Great.

To hi-jack the thread for a moment and anser your question : some rightwing idealogues can't accept the fact that a vast majority of people (including artist) don't proscribe to their particular point of view .

[Disco Volante]

He's obviously singing about china

And Madagascar. He's very geographical.

And Twat lyrics... All the way from California...

[estebanf]

some people think thats about steph taking Dylan away from him

yes.

And some people (I've read this in CD.com) think that it could be about an abortion.

I dont think that that is the right interpretation, but that read was very interesting.

[GnR-NOW]

Look at Better, TWAT, and The Blues ... they all sound like they're about the same person.  Logic wants you to say Stephanie Seymour, but who knows.

[AxlsMainMan]

Im probably wrong, but when taking the lyrics into consideration, Ive always assumed "The Blues" and maybe even "Better" were about Stephanie.

The meanings of the other songs are a slightly harder to interpret though.

[gcluskey]

Guns N' Roses Silkworms Lyrics

Listen motherfuckers to this song that should be heard
Thrown down in the gutter, it?s more than you deserve
Kneeling fucking virgin, you know that's what you are
Pussy for a maggot, isn't that a shock

What can I do? With a bitch like you
You know that it?s true
All I have I ask of you
I'll be dammed
If it?s not true
A bitch like you

Get your head down in the sky
Fucking little schemer got yourself a broken heart
Syphilitic preachers baby I know who you are
Parasitic demons sucking acid through your heart

What can I do? With a bitch like you
You know that it?s true
All I have I ask of you
I'll be dammed
If it?s not true
A bitch like you

Who or what is this about then? What do you think the title 'Silkworms' has to do with the rest of the song?

[sisterofyu]

He's singing about the past ...keekee

[ppbebe]

He's singing about the past ...keekee

Better sounds forward looking.

[Neemo]

He's singing about the past ...keekee

Better sounds forward looking.

you think so? lots of past tenses in there

Better

No one ever told me when I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

No one ever told me when I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

The hardest part
This troubled heart
Has never yet been through now       
We've healed the scars
That got their start
Inside someone like you now

Well had I known
Or I'd been shown back when I longed you?d take me
To break the charms
That brought me harm
And all that won't erase me

I never would
Not that I could
No matter what you'd pay me
Replay the part
You stole my heart
I should have known you're crazy

If all I knew was that with you
I'd want someone to save me
It'd be enough
But just my luck
I fell in love and baby all that I wanted was

Now I know you better
You know I'd know better
Now I, know you better

So bittersweet
This tragedy
Won't ask for absolution
This melody
Inside of me
Still searches for solution
A twist of fate
A change of heart
Cures my infatuation
A broken heart
To provide the spark for my determination

No one ever told me when I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better ohh
No one ever told me when I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
You know I?d know better
Now I know you better 

(Solo)

I never wanted you to be so full of anger
I never wanted you to be somebody else
I never wanted you to be someone afraid to know themselves
I only wanted you to see things for yourself

(Solo)

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
Now we all know better
All that I wanted was

(Solo)
(nah nah nah)

If I were you
I?d manage to
Abhor the invitation
Of promised love
That can?t keep up
With your adoration
Just use your head
And in the end
You?ll find your inspiration
To choose your steps
That won't regret
This kind of aggravation

No one ever told me when I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better
No one ever told me when I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

[BlowUpYourVideo]

Guns N' Roses Silkworms Lyrics

Listen motherfuckers to this song that should be heard
Thrown down in the gutter, it?s more than you deserve
Kneeling fucking virgin, you know that's what you are
Pussy for a maggot, isn't that a shock

What can I do? With a bitch like you
You know that it?s true
All I have I ask of you
I'll be dammed
If it?s not true
A bitch like you

Get your head down in the sky
Fucking little schemer got yourself a broken heart
Syphilitic preachers baby I know who you are
Parasitic demons sucking acid through your heart

What can I do? With a bitch like you
You know that it?s true
All I have I ask of you
I'll be dammed
If it?s not true
A bitch like you

Who or what is this about then? What do you think the title 'Silkworms' has to do with the rest of the song?

It's clearly about Slash. 

[FunkyMonkey]

In the recent Clasic Rock Magazine article they asked "is Better about Axl's PA Beta?" 

I just don't see that...

You stole my heart
I should have known you're crazy

[AxlsMainMan]

In the recent Clasic Rock Magazine article they asked "is Better about Axl's PA Beta?"?

I just don't see that...

You stole my heart
I should have known you're crazy

To me, that line is probably directed at Stephanie, but who knows.

Im sure Axl has had plenty of rocky relationships since Steph'.

[markreed]

almost all of the "new" songs are about how a Bad Woman Done Axl Wrong.

[2112]

Listening to the lyrics of Guns N Roses songs in the past Axl sings about drink, drugs (Nightrain, Mr. Brownstone, Bad Obsession), girls, love (Sweet Child, November Rain, My Michelle, Think About You) sex (Rocket Queen), the streets (Jungle, Paradise City)...basically there's alot of lyrics about sex, drugs and rock n roll. What's Axl singing about now in his new songs?? Anyone want to construe some of the lyrics?

All those songs are Appetite for Destruction era songs, when they were young and angry.

The Illusions is much more mature.

Now he looks back at how it was.

[Axl4Prez2004]

someone mentioned Better as not being "forward-looking," but like many stories it seems to start in the past, but by the last verse gives advice from experience for the future.  very cool.   

Better is a beautiful "fuck you" to those who think Axl lives musically in the past.  This song is beautifully new and different...and god damn it rocks live!   

[AdZ]

Come Sail Away.

[gcluskey]

In the past, Axl, Slash, Duff and Izzy all worked together in the writing of some GnR songs. I'm guessing this time its all Axl's writing on the Chinese Democracy album. I wonder will any of the current members have any input in writing GnR songs in the future.