There Was A Time - discussion thread

[GNFNR-UK]

My favourite song on the album. I always loved this from when it first leaked and this song still means a lot to me now. It leaked a matter of days after i came out of a long term relationship and the lyrics seemed to fit my emotions and how I felt perfectly. The orchestral arrangements are beautiful, the lyrics are, in my opinion, some of the best and most heartfelt from Axl ever and Buckethead's guitar solo is my favourite solo in a rock song ever, it almost brings me to tears it is THAT beautiful. Robin's solo is amazing too.

The only thing I could have done without on the finished version is the added Axl deep vocals on the chorus, which I feel are unnescessary. The chorus has undergone more changes than anything else in the song though and that is probably because it was heavily scrutinized by fans, Axl obvioulsy wasn't 100% happy with it in the beginning either.

[GypsySoul]

At the end of the day, after taking care of all my many many many responsibilities, when I FINALLY get a chance to relax my mind and try to get some sleep before starting it all over again tomorrow, There Was A Time is the song that keeps repeating in my head.

I still haven't decided if that's a good thing or not. 

[sandman83]

I absolutely love this song.  The whole album has grown and grown on me, but this song has the most.  love the lyrics, the sound and the tempo.  What can I say, I LOVE TWAT!!

[TomFriend]

Great song - by no means my favorite on the album, but I'll bet it will kick some ass if they play it live sometime.

[Cocktail Swagger]

Great song - by no means my favorite on the album, but I'll bet it will kick some ass if they play it live sometime.

They already did in 2006. Quit playing it for some reason, maybe too complicated.

[LIGuns]

TWAT didn't go over well when I saw them plaing it at the 1st Hammerstein show..The leak had just come out, so I blame it on unfamilularity..

Great tune...Cool sing along chorus..

[dimitrisaxl]

I always loved this from when it first leaked and this song still means a lot to me now. It leaked a matter of days after i came out of a long term relationship and the lyrics seemed to fit my emotions and how I felt perfectly.

Same here!

[Bitch Slap Rappin]

I can identify with There was a time. (For me it's like Axl knows me and he's writing about a paticular time of my life.) 
Excellent song. I listen to this cd once a week so that I won't burn my ears out. It stills knocks me out. Not one weak track on the cd. 

[The Catcher]

As much as I adore This I Love and Catcher In The Rye, this is quite possibly the best song on the album. I can't fucking resist this thing, it's a true masterpiece in every aspect, from the brilliant guitar work to the vocals and the lyrics. This song alone showcases Axl's immence brillance as a songwriter.

[ThatGuy]

i remember when this song was played live at the first hammerstein show, and within 2 seconds of the opening i knew it was TWAT, and i began to yell and scream... i remember being the only one so loud and excited, seeing as it was my favorite song at the time (second now only to prostitute).  no one was really familiar with it then.  still not tired of this one.  i like the new "it was a long time" vocal added in the chorus.

[The Catcher]

i remember when this song was played live at the first hammerstein show, and within 2 seconds of the opening i knew it was TWAT, and i began to yell and scream... i remember being the only one so loud and excited, seeing as it was my favorite song at the time (second now only to prostitute).  no one was really familiar with it then.  still not tired of this one.  i like the new "it was a long time" vocal added in the chorus.

lol, I know that feeling of being the only one going wild over a new song when the rest of the crowd are just standing there dumbfounded and passive
When they played IRS at one of the shows I went to, I was like oh shit and started cheering and clapping
People were like what the fuck is this guy on lol
But I loved every second of it

[gmGnR2]

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"

Just saw your post.  Glad to know that I am not the only one who noticed that error.  It clearly sounds like "who you gave head". 

Just like you, I posted about the lyrics (started a thread twice) and it got deleted. I don't understand why moderators feel the need to delete any discussions about that. I love the album. One of the greatest since the mid-90's from any band. I just don't understand why there are so many "errors, mistakes" o the lyrics. TWAT is not the only one (at least CD, Better have missing lines in the printed lyrics). I think we should be able to talk about that. It's not like "they" didn't have time to check the booklet!!!  Anyway, could the moderators explain why this topic is censored?

[nekomex]

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.

 

  best post ever

[gmGnR2]

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. 
[/quote]

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"
[/quote]


Just saw your post.  Glad to know that I am not the only one who noticed that error.  It clearly sounds like "who you gave head". 

Just like you, I posted about the lyrics (started a thread twice) and it got deleted. I don't understand why moderators feel the need to delete any discussions about that. I love the album. One of the greatest since the mid-90's from any band. I just don't understand why there are so many "errors, mistakes" o the lyrics. TWAT is not the only one (at least CD, Better have missing lines in the printed lyrics). I think we should be able to talk about that. It's not like "they" didn't have time to check the booklet!!!  Anyway, could the moderators explain why this topic is censored?

[/quote]


So no answer from the moderators regarding deleted posts on lyrics, huh...  funny cause Axl himself didn't wait for a question regarding this issue mentioned it during the chat: "to release the album with unapproved and unseen final artwork with a !st work only error filled draft when others more recent were readily available still has not been explained but is finally getting cleared up"

So no one can take responsibilty for their actions on this site, right.... lame...

[The Dog]

Easily my favorite song on CD.  best guitars, so emotional.  Sick vocals at the end.  Killer lyrics.  Did I mention amazing guitars?  Great feel of old + new Guns sound.

[The Catcher]

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.

 

  best post ever

I thought it was "nevermind who you gave head"

[Robman?]

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.

 

  best post ever

I thought it was "nevermind who you gave head"

Yeah, I think it is. That "who gave you head" comes from the booklet, but it's just one of the many typos I believe. I always thought it was "who you gave head", make more sense that way too.

[The Catcher]

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.

 

  best post ever

I thought it was "nevermind who you gave head"

Yeah, I think it is. That "who gave you head" comes from the booklet, but it's just one of the many typos I believe. I always thought it was "who you gave head", make more sense that way too.

Well I should hope so.

[gmGnR2]

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.

 

  best post ever

I thought it was "nevermind who you gave head"

Yeah, I think it is. That "who gave you head" comes from the booklet, but it's just one of the many typos I believe. I always thought it was "who you gave head", make more sense that way too.

Well I should hope so.

Yep, that's what it is. Pretty clear when you listen to the song. My favorite song of the record.

[Doc Emmett Brown]

Yeah, I think it is. That "who gave you head" comes from the booklet, but it's just one of the many typos I believe. I always thought it was "who you gave head", make more sense that way too.

yeah, my original post was referring to the booklet (and a whole lot more..). Although, imo, he does mumble that line so perhaps the transcriber decided to have a joke at everyone's expense.

The next person to continue replying to my abbreviated post wins a pair of clown shoez!


Now then,

At the start of the song (~0.03), I hear this cool whirring noise that sounds like a windup toy a kid would play with. I imagine it's meant to evoke a feeling of the past when we were innocent and thought we had it all.

I also love the way Axl holds the 'time' for like 5 seconds at 2:30 right before the guitars kick in, it always sends a shiver down my spine.


If I could go back in time
to that place in my place in my soul

I've felt that way countless times.