Inside the song: THERE WAS A TIME

[RoxyCotton]

In my other post yesterday, I challenged the fans to make up their mind about the songs. And I want to practise what I preach and give (hopeully good) example of what I mean with giving my impression of the song ?There Was A Time?. In regards to my other post yesterday, I would appreciate this not being merged or deleted so we can have a new discussion quality with more substance among the fans. Thank you.

The party is over. Birds in the morning, ?broken glass and cigarettes??, a reflection about what went wrong, about disorientation and losing touch because of fears, doubts and living in denial and a fake world that you build around yourself to protect yourself from reality (?up and sitting pretty on a pedestral of fear?) and the lack of trust, all the could have beens if only there was faith and trust and love. But the woman that cheated on him, in the end is her own victim because she is sleeping ?like an angel? (= innocent, not knowing, not meaning harm) ?in another WOMANS bed? (= the same will happen to her, she will be cheated on, she will reap what she sew).

As the protagoist of this morning after stumbles across the deserted battlefield of his house, his place to live, with all the memories, maybe searching for the coffee machine, his mind becomes clearer. Then realising it was ?the wrong time for anyone? and that he has ?got to see for myself?. And that is the turning point, the wake up call.

The rhythm guitar wakes him up where it plays the ?wrong? thing also, going hand in hand with the lyrics with a dissonant powerchord that contrasts all the beautiful but false (= synth strings, drum computer, child piano, fake birds etc.) harmonies until the sigh of relief (Robin? guitar break) leads onto the real thing, to the man being honest to himself, saying ?There was a time I would do anything for you? and the guitars (real instruments) taking over, getting more intense as the protagonist begins to realise he has learned a lesson but can?t help the other because everyone has got to see for oneself.

Now there?s real drums that play no more loop but something real, and no more birds and the strings (calm) lift off to the horizon and make room for the guitars (energy) to take over the ground. No more lyrics except the truth ?There was a time I would do anything for you? and that?s it. All is said and done and the truth becomes a mantra, a chant.

You have to love someone very much and at the same time give yourself up a lot do to ?anything? for her. Every man knows women are beautiful and healing power for the soul but sometimes they can be quite difficult too and even blind you with their beauty, both their body and their soul, when you don?t see the real person behind what you wish to see. Or maybe it was just ?the wrong time? then for both of you. Maybe you will even meet again and things will work out, but this is not the time. I think every man knows what I mean.

After the beautiful Buckethead climax with the amazing tapping (= all is said and done musically at this part and the same can be said about the relationsship that is reflected in this song) the song ends on the same drum lick as Metallica?s ?Sad But True?. I?m not sure if that was intended but that is one hell of a statement too. Because the bottom line of this songs reads ?sad but true?. But it also says things are not so fucked up because in the end you will see and live with more wisdom so life will be better for you, even when the party is over. You can start a new party, but first you have to clean up the place a bit. That?s what the song does. The first (fake) half is a mess, but then the second (honest) half is so beautiful it hurts. But to get to that beauty, first you have to survive the mess to get there. You have to learn a lesson. You have to see for yourself.

The statement, the message of the song for me is actually how it is put together, the duality, the contrast between the controlled but fake "beauty" described in the first half and the wild, less structured but more naturally and honest beauty in the second half. Good and bad, right and wrong, night and day, guns and roses.

I have to say this is a fucking great piece of music and Axl sure is a brilliant lyricist, he has his own style and I love how he creates actual poetry with normal language. Also, I have to say my respect to Robin and Buckethead for the beautiful guitar solos. Robin is the right guitar player for Guns N? Roses because he brings in the same vunerability on the guitar that Axl brings in with his lyrics and vocals. It?s not about perfection, it?s about expression. Buckethead is a genius in a different way. I do not mean his speed and skill. I think he could acutally tell some life stories like Axl too, something to relate to, but he is not as good with words and instead just puts his poetry and emotion all into the guitar playing. I think his perfection is a statement that maybe he is very faulted and weak as a human being (like all of us) but he is learning too and he makes up for imperfection with his guitaring as Axl makes up for imperfection with lyrics and song craft, both inspire. Really, the song is so good it hurts.
 
How many times did they play this song live? At the concert where I was they did not play this song. I only know they played it in New York and Madrid, New York had fire but Madrid had the best sound and vocals. The studio recording combines both and is my favourite version so far. I once wrote to Richard and expressed my appreciation for this song. He seemed to be very proud of it. He said he likes this song a lot. But you know what he also said? He said ?wait til you hear the rest of the album?. So I guess they must have even better songs than that. I would not worry about the album or when it comes out. I would enjoy this great music as much as I can.

This is how I see and understand the song. I don't say this is how the band meant it, I could be totally wrong with my impression, but that's how I see it. How about you? Enough time has passed to connect and flow with the music, just let it sink in and see what happens. I believe most people here did not even sratch the surface of the new material. It is ok and important to just rock out and have a good time energy blast and all. But sometimes it is worth to look beyond that. Some lyrics and art, how a song is put together, that can be energy blast too. And the insight you get answers a lot of questions about the band and maybe for some also about yourself.

Sorry for so much writing again but I am not a man of small-talk.

Beautiful analogy of the song and so well said.

[RoxyCotton]

"...but looks like I'm about to see for myself"

The realization of the situation and that it is all over and irreversible, hurts. Everything that you believed in, trusted in, planned your life around. All gone. Shattered to pieces. But even the denial period is over now. You've decided not to die. To live. To try to move on. You probably think you'll never be happy again or that you'd always feel the pain and carry the scars. Regardless. Let's just face it. Even if that means just floating in life for years to come just so you can collect your broken self and heal to some extent.


"If I could go back in time to the place in my soul"

Yet, the thoughts of hope for going back in time and trying to save your future are always tempting. Will always chase you. It may be naive, it may be childish, it may be stupid. But it is only human. Mind slavery in a way.

"There all alone, lonely tear drops, ooh, are calling you"

Looking at it though from the current perspective, you can't escape the feeling of loneliness and sorrow. It's a torn feeling. Pointless. Hopeless. But still, you can't really avoid thinking about it...as strong as you are trying to be.

"But I don't wanna know it now"

But you keep trying. Fighting. Even forcing yourself to get away from it all and trying to stop thinking about it...

"...'cause knowing you it won't change a damn thing"

That's right. But can you really just forget everything all of a sudden? Can you just control or change your feelings and start all fresh and healthy when you had lost your soul by losing what you believed was your soulmate for many years? And in the sickest of ways. And there was nothing in your power you could do to prevent it...
Well, you could keep trying. That's all you are left with.

Yet, the thoughts:

"but there was a time I would do ANYTHING for you..."

will be always there to hunt you...and to remind you....of a situation that is inexplicably wrong and hurtful. That no one needs in their lives. Ever.
A tragedy with the magnitude of a lifetime.

Yet, you are not bitter. You are not angry any more. You acknowledge and accept the facts. You don't believe in stupid consolations like "what goes around...comes back around". That's for the mean people. For the ones that seek revenge. The ones that insanely believe that other people's pain will somehow comfort them.
You are way above that. And even wish well to that person. Wish them to be happy and that in the end it is all worth for them. Because they sacrificed alot to get there...including other people's lives and dreams...

But if they ever ask for forgiveness or to come back in your life in whatever capacity, would you respond?

NEVER!
Not, in this lifetime...

Would you still love them?
Always. But that's irrelevant...

All you need from now is just some peace of mind....




Exactly one year and 2 hours ago the band took stage for their last (to this day) US show. It was probably the longest and most emotional and best performace of the entire 2006.


Happy Holidays and God bless!

This is a very emotional and soulful post.  But always remember...what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...that's what lifes about, learning lessons.

[Led Roses 06]

All I have to say is "WOW!" I began reading the first paragraph of your interpretation and I immediately had to play the song and read ur post as the song went with it.  All I really have to say is thank you for the insight and drawing such comparisons and contrasts is something that is desperately needed in todays robotic society.

[gunns1]

In my other post yesterday, I challenged the fans to make up their mind about the songs. And I want to practise what I preach and give (hopeully good) example of what I mean with giving my impression of the song ?There Was A Time?. In regards to my other post yesterday, I would appreciate this not being merged or deleted so we can have a new discussion quality with more substance among the fans. Thank you.

The party is over. Birds in the morning, ?broken glass and cigarettes??, a reflection about what went wrong, about disorientation and losing touch because of fears, doubts and living in denial and a fake world that you build around yourself to protect yourself from reality (?up and sitting pretty on a pedestral of fear?) and the lack of trust, all the could have beens if only there was faith and trust and love. But the woman that cheated on him, in the end is her own victim because she is sleeping ?like an angel? (= innocent, not knowing, not meaning harm) ?in another WOMANS bed? (= the same will happen to her, she will be cheated on, she will reap what she sew).

As the protagoist of this morning after stumbles across the deserted battlefield of his house, his place to live, with all the memories, maybe searching for the coffee machine, his mind becomes clearer. Then realising it was ?the wrong time for anyone? and that he has ?got to see for myself?. And that is the turning point, the wake up call.

The rhythm guitar wakes him up where it plays the ?wrong? thing also, going hand in hand with the lyrics with a dissonant powerchord that contrasts all the beautiful but false (= synth strings, drum computer, child piano, fake birds etc.) harmonies until the sigh of relief (Robin? guitar break) leads onto the real thing, to the man being honest to himself, saying ?There was a time I would do anything for you? and the guitars (real instruments) taking over, getting more intense as the protagonist begins to realise he has learned a lesson but can?t help the other because everyone has got to see for oneself.

Now there?s real drums that play no more loop but something real, and no more birds and the strings (calm) lift off to the horizon and make room for the guitars (energy) to take over the ground. No more lyrics except the truth ?There was a time I would do anything for you? and that?s it. All is said and done and the truth becomes a mantra, a chant.

You have to love someone very much and at the same time give yourself up a lot do to ?anything? for her. Every man knows women are beautiful and healing power for the soul but sometimes they can be quite difficult too and even blind you with their beauty, both their body and their soul, when you don?t see the real person behind what you wish to see. Or maybe it was just ?the wrong time? then for both of you. Maybe you will even meet again and things will work out, but this is not the time. I think every man knows what I mean.

After the beautiful Buckethead climax with the amazing tapping (= all is said and done musically at this part and the same can be said about the relationsship that is reflected in this song) the song ends on the same drum lick as Metallica?s ?Sad But True?. I?m not sure if that was intended but that is one hell of a statement too. Because the bottom line of this songs reads ?sad but true?. But it also says things are not so fucked up because in the end you will see and live with more wisdom so life will be better for you, even when the party is over. You can start a new party, but first you have to clean up the place a bit. That?s what the song does. The first (fake) half is a mess, but then the second (honest) half is so beautiful it hurts. But to get to that beauty, first you have to survive the mess to get there. You have to learn a lesson. You have to see for yourself.

The statement, the message of the song for me is actually how it is put together, the duality, the contrast between the controlled but fake "beauty" described in the first half and the wild, less structured but more naturally and honest beauty in the second half. Good and bad, right and wrong, night and day, guns and roses.

I have to say this is a fucking great piece of music and Axl sure is a brilliant lyricist, he has his own style and I love how he creates actual poetry with normal language. Also, I have to say my respect to Robin and Buckethead for the beautiful guitar solos. Robin is the right guitar player for Guns N? Roses because he brings in the same vunerability on the guitar that Axl brings in with his lyrics and vocals. It?s not about perfection, it?s about expression. Buckethead is a genius in a different way. I do not mean his speed and skill. I think he could acutally tell some life stories like Axl too, something to relate to, but he is not as good with words and instead just puts his poetry and emotion all into the guitar playing. I think his perfection is a statement that maybe he is very faulted and weak as a human being (like all of us) but he is learning too and he makes up for imperfection with his guitaring as Axl makes up for imperfection with lyrics and song craft, both inspire. Really, the song is so good it hurts.
 
How many times did they play this song live? At the concert where I was they did not play this song. I only know they played it in New York and Madrid, New York had fire but Madrid had the best sound and vocals. The studio recording combines both and is my favourite version so far. I once wrote to Richard and expressed my appreciation for this song. He seemed to be very proud of it. He said he likes this song a lot. But you know what he also said? He said ?wait til you hear the rest of the album?. So I guess they must have even better songs than that. I would not worry about the album or when it comes out. I would enjoy this great music as much as I can.

This is how I see and understand the song. I don't say this is how the band meant it, I could be totally wrong with my impression, but that's how I see it. How about you? Enough time has passed to connect and flow with the music, just let it sink in and see what happens. I believe most people here did not even sratch the surface of the new material. It is ok and important to just rock out and have a good time energy blast and all. But sometimes it is worth to look beyond that. Some lyrics and art, how a song is put together, that can be energy blast too. And the insight you get answers a lot of questions about the band and maybe for some also about yourself.

Sorry for so much writing again but I am not a man of small-talk.

this type of overanalyzation probably? makes axl not want to release CD lol

write a book.? i think it would be more appreciated than this LOOOOOOONG rant using your inner thoughts about a GNR song.?
FYI i didn't read your entire post; but it looks like you put waaaaaaaay too much time into it man.? go out and live a little.? This isn't supposed to be a flame post, not trying to flame you or whatever.? Just relax and try not too worry too much about a band's lyrical substantial content.?

alot of the time, the writes of the music/band members etc, Never tell  what the meaning of a song is,
for this exact reason,

The writer of a particular song, leaves it up to the listener/audience to interpret for themselve based on their passed experiences/emotions they are feeling either at that time or previously...
The words/ the way the words are sung along with the instruments in the song tend to illict deep feelings in some, where as pretty average feelings in others,
Thats why I dont like it when someone tells a song what they think it means, cause it looses all impact at trying to imagine what the song is for the individual that is reading it,

Take the song for what it is,
use your imagination along with the emotions that you feel when you hear the song, and have it mean a personal meaing for you,


When I read the long post, no offence, Im not flaming the post,
but at some points, Its like your trying to make the song sound more about something then what the song is trying to achieve,
Its a song, it has lyrics, heaps of choruses and a long solo,
Dont be over analytical dude,
but otherwise , good stuff

[RoxyCotton]

All I have to say is "WOW!" I began reading the first paragraph of your interpretation and I immediately had to play the song and read ur post as the song went with it.? All I really have to say is thank you for the insight and drawing such comparisons and contrasts is something that is desperately needed in todays robotic society.

I totally did the same thing! 

[rockNroses]

Good to see such a great response with all the replies. Keep them coming.

Thanks also for the criticism, but I have no intention of becoming a writer or overanalysing the music, I just wrote what came to mind.

It was not so much about "getting" the song, I'm more intrested in what it means and what it does to you.

Like leatherrebel (great post!) did, just let your thoughts and feelings flow and share em here.

 

[mrbucketfoot]

I think you did a good job analyzing the lyrics.

To me, 'There Was A Time' and 'Madagascar' are two compelling arguments that Axl is one of the greatest songwriters that has ever lived and his tremendous growth since the earlier days. Obviously, Axl is no longer 28 and he's seen and been through a lot in his life. Really hard and heartbreaking stuff. Instead of suppressing it or channeling it into anger, he comes through as tremendously honest in the lyrics and vocal performances of these songs.

To me the song is broken into thirds. They that there are three steps after a breakup: denial/rejection, anger, and acceptance. Keep that in mind as I go through my thoughts. I think there's definitely a correlation to this song. There's the build to the solo which is essentially a reflection on what has happened and the good times that the couple has had. It's the siren song that we have all been seduced by. "It was a long time for you...It was a long time for me" is a brief rejection of the good memories that once were so prominent. Then it goes to "social class and cigarettes" where the individual falls back under the spell so to speak until "It was a long time for you..." again where the individual rejects everything and is tired of thinking about how things used to be, where the solo kicks in.

So it transitions to the solo from Bucket/Bumble which is basically the melancholy period where everything is sinking in until the explosion of "Oh, I would do anything for you..." which comes across as a person yelling up into the sky while trying to figure out what wrong amongst the broken shambles that had become their life. Trying to pick up the pieces.

Then there is another short solo which lets the listener take everything and is when the individual is feeling a little bit better after letting it all out. It's starting to become okay. They are starting to move on and even though everything doesn't seem to make sense yet, the individual is starting to think that things will be okay.