There Was A Time - discussion thread

[gunns1]

Never mind who just gave you head[/i] ....   unless Stephanie grew a magic penis, it ain't  about her.

If you don't smell like a can of sardines, women can receive head just as well.

 

touche'


at 5:19 of twat is the best part of the solo for me (the whole build up to that point)
it just flows so nicely,
fucking great work Bucket,

I hope you comeback to the band.

[Doc Emmett Brown]

Never mind who just gave you head[/i] ....   unless Stephanie grew a magic penis, it ain't  about her.

If you don't smell like a can of sardines, women can receive head just as well.

 

ah, I guess I need to get out more    Well if it is about her, I never knew she was such a law breaker.

Getting back to the music, I wonder when it was decided to cap the song ends with that angel-sounding choir, I guess it fits with the line 'sleeping like an angel'.

[younggunner]

I would put the 2nd half of TWAT up with any GNR song

[sky dog]

actually the last 3/4....I am not big on the beginning, but when it kicks in "social class and registers..." the song takes off.

[Jono]

so...some time ago, Dave Navarro and Billy Morrison played this song on Camp Freddy radio and talked about getting goosebumps when Axl starts singing, and gave it a positive review.  At the end they get a caller who says he really likes the song and claims it's about Stephanie.  Dave doesn't sound convinced and just replies is that who it's about?

Now that I can finally read the lyrics:

To stimulate a cause
For the betterment of evils
And your ways around the laws  (harsh!...)
That keep you up and sitting pretty   (love the way he enunciates that last word)
On a pedestal or bed
And now you're sleeping like an angel
Never mind who just gave you head ....   unless Stephanie grew a magic penis, it ain't  about her.

And his sharp dig at insincere causes made me smile too.  It kinda reminded of Portia de Rossi's character on Arrested Development and her meaningless fundraisers for the betterment of evils.  Classic. 

I posted about those lyrics yesterday, but for some reason my post disappeared..

The lyrics in the booklet are wrong, Axl sings:

"And now you're sleeping like an angel
Nevermind who you gave head"

[RitzWalker8]

I heard it on WAAF in Boston yesterday.  The DJ said that it was his favorite song on the album.

[CheapJon]

so...some time ago, Dave Navarro and Billy Morrison played this song on Camp Freddy radio and talked about getting goosebumps when Axl starts singing, and gave it a positive review.  At the end they get a caller who says he really likes the song and claims it's about Stephanie.  Dave doesn't sound convinced and just replies is that who it's about?

Now that I can finally read the lyrics:

To stimulate a cause
For the betterment of evils
And your ways around the laws  (harsh!...)
That keep you up and sitting pretty   (love the way he enunciates that last word)
On a pedestal or bed
And now you're sleeping like an angel
Never mind who just gave you head ....   unless Stephanie grew a magic penis, it ain't  about her.

And his sharp dig at insincere causes made me smile too.  It kinda reminded of Portia de Rossi's character on Arrested Development and her meaningless fundraisers for the betterment of evils.  Classic. 

I posted about those lyrics yesterday, but for some reason my post disappeared..

The lyrics in the booklet are wrong, Axl sings:

"And now you're sleeping like an angel
Nevermind who you gave head"

^yeah that is correct, i was listening to the song when i read his post but was too lazy to correct him

[Doc Emmett Brown]

Thanks for the correction then and a lesson on, um, oral pleasuring 

I thought about the second verse again and it does seem to reflect the idle life of a certain type of supermodel - jet-setting from one port O' call to another, indulging in meaningless fundraisers and countless sexual trysts.  The lyrics cut his subject to ribbons.

[Wheres Izzy]

This song has been a favorite of mine for a long time, especially since I saw them perform it in NY. I really think it's a masterpiece, my favourite track on the album. I think it does an outstanding job combining all the elements GnR is about, both old and new. I love the bass lines on the outro, the solo is incredible, outstanding melodies, and Axl is a genius with a pen and this is some of my favourite work he's ever done.

[D]

Eating a woman is also called "Head"


Not my favorite song on the album............. I am a lyrical person and for me, the lyrics just don't make a lot of sense.

The devil hates a loser and u thought u heard it all?

WTF does that mean?

thats like somebody raped my tapeworm abortion..................


Last half is awesome though, specially when Bucket kicks in. Wish the solo would go higher though during Axl's "I would Do anything for You" parts. have the guitar intensity match his intensity but it doesn't.

[Doc Emmett Brown]

The devil hates a loser and u thought u heard it all?

You thought you HAD it all.

The 'heard it all' is in the first verse and he's referring to himself, the knowledge that you gave me when I thought I'd heard it all.

[western_chaos]

I really like the lyrics of this song, but I'm just not in love with this song as other people are. Never was...

If I were to rate this song, I would probably give it somewhere between a 6 & a 7.

[D]

Yeah, its one of those where I don't hear what others hear. Its certainly a very good song but Id definitely rate it in the bottom half of the CD. I think This I Love,Sorry, Catcher, Madagascar and Street of Dreams are better ballads

[Wheres Izzy]

Yeah, its one of those where I don't hear what others hear. Its certainly a very good song but Id definitely rate it in the bottom half of the CD. I think This I Love,Sorry, Catcher, Madagascar and Street of Dreams are better ballads

I guess I see what you mean cause I never got everyone's fascination with Madagascar. I think TWAT is infinitely better than that song, which to me is the only low point of an otherwise stellar album.

[kingcanute]

anyone else think the first five seconds sound like deep forest?

other than that, amazing song

[Wooody]

has anybody else noticed the awesome bass line?

woov woov woov.. 

[russkwtx]

Love this song! The second part with the intense guitar is just amazing. This is one of my favs on the album.

[Mobenrad]

has anybody else noticed the awesome bass line?

woov woov woov.. 

Haha definitely sir...

[cotis]

Didn't really need those silly Shackler's Revenge-style deep vocals in the background of the 'it was the wrong time for you, it was the wrong time for me' bit. Another example of Axl fiddling for the sake of fiddling. Other than that, it remains one of the highlights of the album 

i love that demon voice

Me too  Took some listenings before I even noticed it.

hahah I probably wouldn't have noticed this at all if i didn't read the booklet  and I also agree with you The Illusionist about the chorus 

finally just noticed this 5 minutes ago listening to this song....the littlest things you miss when you don't pay attention all the way!

got to love the $350 Bose

[Lostrose]

If not the best song on the album, one of the top three.   

The solo does truly rock.