Everything about Chinese Democracy - the track

[leatherebel]

What people not very familiar with the album fail to realize is that this song is far from being meant to be a big gun. It's probably more meant to be something like an introduction to a musical journey that only gets better from there on. Imagine if they had debuted with TWAT or Prostitute. I mean, everyone would've been blown away but then can you really top that?? I think introducing CD will be a gradual process and the title track is just the beginning. It's always better to be going uphill than down, right?

The majority of the negative comments probably stem from the perception that the first single should try to live up to the album expectations as a whole and possibly top all old gn'r hits. These people are missing the point.

[GeraldFord]

On a side note, Chris Evans thought the song 'Chin Dem' would be a better Bond theme than the actual bond theme!

But would such a rocker type song fit as the Bond theme?

"If the World" (at least from what he heard) would be the better Bond theme.

[cyllan]

Thanks for that, Ian.  I always listen to Chris on the drive home but left work too early to hear that segment.  I e-mailed Chris Evans on Tue and asked him to play it but didn't know if it'd make Radio 2's playlist.  I'm so glad that they are playing it 'cos being the old fogey that I am, it's been a real struggle listening to Radio 1 again!  Off to listen to the iplayer now and e-mail Wogan!    

Oh and I don't know about Bond but as soon as I heard the susurration at the beginning and haunting ending I immediately thought of Jack Bauer and 24.

[D]

True, I mean u can't really start out with a ballad

I think Shackler's would've been perfect though. that song absolutely rocks but maybe they felt it was too "oh My god" like and wanted something more modern rock sounding.

My only problem with CD being the first single is, The world hasn't heard axl sing in 14 years *we are talking casual fans here people*

When a famous legend has been away for so long, people for whatever reason want to know 2 things:

1. What they look like

2. How they sound


With CD, Axl really doesn't use a whole lot of his signature wail so some bad reviews I've read have been from uneducated idiots questioning if he still has the range. We know its ridiculous but there are truly people out there that don't know.


First singles use to be, I dont know about now, but use to be the introduction to the album and the 2nd singles are usually the big dogs.

Gonna be interesting to see what's next.

[cyllan]

I think introducing CD will be a gradual process and the title track is just the beginning. It's always better to be going uphill than down, right?

Axl did make it clear that he didn't want to alienate the old fans and I think the band have done a good job in combining elements of old and new in this track,  Also, I believe that choosing the title track of the album was done deliberately to ensure that the album's title lodges in the public's mind.  So, not only do you have a track that grabs you by the scruff of the neck but a name that stays with you after the initial media frenzy of the single dies down.  Great marketing. 

[Six Strings]

I think that the pieces are starting to get together. CD is a brilliant song and I am so happy that they put it as a single. I can't wait for the fucking album.

[jarmo]

Listening to Talking Metal episode 235.

Mark says it's Frank playing drums on the track.




/jarmo

[CheapJon]

i was right

franks a genius i bet he was the one who  came up with the heartbeat drumming in the intro

also i'm really looking forward to hear his redition of IRS

[djcleaver]

i was right

franks a genius i bet he was the one who  came up with the heartbeat drumming in the intro

also i'm really looking forward to hear his redition of IRS

If it's anything like the live shows in 07 Frank's drumming on IRS will be awesome

[Dead N' Bloated]

Listening to Talking Metal episode 235.

Mark says it's Frank playing drums on the track.




/jarmo

Thats insane. Frank is the best Drummer the band has ever had and really does make a difference.


 

[reed2009]

axl wants to tease the public and get them talking about him and the band again.....chinese democracy is a good solid rocker, but just think when he releases the blues, twat or prostitute as a single, then i think things will blow up again, Axl knows what he is doing and he is set to take over the world again! chinese democracy all the way 

[leatherebel]

Listening to Talking Metal episode 235.

Mark says it's Frank playing drums on the track.




/jarmo

That doesn't mean Brain is not playing on the track though.

[leatherebel]

I think introducing CD will be a gradual process and the title track is just the beginning. It's always better to be going uphill than down, right?

Axl did make it clear that he didn't want to alienate the old fans and I think the band have done a good job in combining elements of old and new in this track,  Also, I believe that choosing the title track of the album was done deliberately to ensure that the album's title lodges in the public's mind.  So, not only do you have a track that grabs you by the scruff of the neck but a name that stays with you after the initial media frenzy of the single dies down.  Great marketing. 

I don't think it's Axl's biggest worry, if any at all, to please the mainstream public, old gn'r fans included. And he doesn't seem like a marketing/sales person either. He has always created his art with his vision in mind (rather than the fans' expectations), which is then materialized into songs that ultimately carry some sort of a message to the ones that relate and care to appreciate. He doesn't create art with the feelings and opinions of the masses in mind. Same goes to how the art is presented once it is ready. And that is why Chinese is the first single and not a proven grabber like Better or the signature voice Rhiad. It's part of how the vision/message is presented. It's the job of the managers/promoters/label to make sure the product (in whatever form the artist has left it) is a financial success.

[D]

I thought the lyrics was:

If you BEAT them enough they'll die........


FEED them enough??? Yeah I guess thats it.

[LittleFly]

I haven't read through the entire thread, so forgive me if this has asked and answered.

Has anyone tried to interpret what the voices are saying at the beginning of the song?  I'm just a curious person

[adman2374]

Listening to Talking Metal episode 235.

Mark says it's Frank playing drums on the track.




/jarmo

He's wrong. Frank MAY HAVE added the drums during the intro.....

[Sober_times]

Listening to Talking Metal episode 235.

Mark says it's Frank playing drums on the track.




/jarmo

He's wrong. Frank MAY HAVE added the drums during the intro.....

How can you say he's wrong? You personally called Frank and asked him? So yeah....I'll trust Mark over you since I dont think he would say it if he didn't get the info from Frank or a member of the band and if they say he plays on the whole thing, than he plays on the whole thing.

And Brain said that he was asked to come in and re-record all the drums for the album when Josh left, so it is very concievable that Frank did the same thing on at least a few of the tracks or all of them. But this will prolly fall on deaf ears....

[Ulises]

Listening to Talking Metal episode 235.

Mark says it's Frank playing drums on the track.




/jarmo

He's wrong. Frank MAY HAVE added the drums during the intro.....

Ok, If Adman say so...

[mega_music]

Don't know if it has been posted yet, but here is the latest chart ranking for Chinese  for week of 10/16 to 10/22
According to mediabase 24/7. I got the chart from www.allaccess.com, It won't allow me to copy and paste the entire chart.

From Active Rock Format

34         GUNS N' ROSES     Chinese Democracy     

From the Mainstream Rock Format

22         GUNS N' ROSES     Chinese Democracy

Not to shitty for a only day of plays. It keeps up it will be top 10 by end of the weekend.

[DarkKnight]

With the mastering job they did on CD, one has to wonder how "epic" There Was a Time will sound.