Madagascar thread

[ppbebe]

The studio version and seeing it live changed my opinion of the song dramatically. You can never rely on boots.

[faldor]

I still love the performance of the song during the VMA montage.  Vocally it was Axl's best work that night.

[Drew]

I was out "enjoying" the chilly weather

Ahhhh........someone else who enjoys listening to music in the brisk cold air outside while walking. There's nothing like it! I love it! Cheers to that Jarmo! 

[AxlsMainMan]

I still love the performance of the song during the VMA montage.  Vocally it was Axl's best work that night.

Still one of the best performances of Madagascar ever

[Axl4Prez2004]

Love this song...I was watching an old bootleg from Budapest, '06...yup, that's the one.  Axl does something unique towards the end...he goes just a little bit higher on one of the last "I've been brought down in this sto-ooorm, ohhh" that just works so fucking well.  Like Jarmo had mentioned, goosebumps every time!   

Such a beautiful song.   

[One.In.A.Million]

This is one of those songs that is superb in a live setting. This song has been a favourite of mine since I first watched Rock In Rio 2001. The simple keyboard melody, the guitar fills and then the epic voice montage during the solo. At a show, I especially love looking around the crowd during the voice montage, and see people sit back and appreciate the message in the words.


Lee

[Lou]

I was out "enjoying" the chilly weather

Ahhhh........someone else who enjoys listening to music in the brisk cold air outside while walking. There's nothing like it! I love it! Cheers to that Jarmo! 

I'm the same! Definitely one of my favourite ways to relax!

Anyway, I thought I'd throw in my two cents on "Madagascar".

When I first heard it (many moons ago now!) I thought it was an incredible song, but - for some reason - when the album was released I found that I skipped it in favour of listening to other tracks. Perhaps because I'd already heard it? I don't know...

However, I've now found myself falling in love with it all over again! There seems to be some debate over Axl's vocals in this one (I skim read this thread before posting) and, personally, I really like the raspier ones - I think they really suit the track.  They portray the right kind of emotions for the song. Don't get me wrong, I liked the clean vocals on the live versions, but I just prefer this version.

This would be a fantastic track for a single... Can you imagine what the video would be like? I'm thinking epic!

[superstarmc]

It was one of my favorites from the beginning.  I sometimes wonder what the lyrics were inspired by.

[Il?vatar]

When he premiered the song in 2001 during his first show back on the big stage with a new Guns line up he said "hopefully it will express my sentiments", I took it to be about the aftermath of the break up of the old band and Axl's determination to carry on despite the pain, hardship and lies written about him in the media.

[Ignacio]

I was listening once again CD from top to bottom yesterday. During Madagascar I got this feeling of being in the middle of the ocean during a fn' storm! I kinda almost felt the waves pushing me. It was awesome how the rythm and orchestration of this wonderful song created those images in my mind. It was like a viceoclip 

I've listened to this great song countless of times but never felt this before. Just wanted to share! 

[CheapJon]

I was listening once again CD from top to bottom yesterday. During Madagascar I got this feeling of being in the middle of the ocean during a fn' storm! I kinda almost felt the waves pushing me. It was awesome how the rythm and orchestration of this wonderful song created those images in my mind. It was like a viceoclip 

I've listened to this great song countless of times but never felt this before. Just wanted to share! 

under the influence of what?

[Ignacio]

Under the influence of beautiful music at loud volume.

I was also lying on bed, maybe a bit asleep I guess...

[wight gunner]

47 years ago today, Martin Luther King, did his vocals for Madagascar 

[wadey]

47 years ago today, Martin Luther King, did his vocals for Madagascar 

Nice 

[Rainfox]

It's a great, totally unique song.

A great title (analogy), with great and timeless lyrics both in terms of subject matter, depth and the chorus itself. I remember hearing and watching this for the first time during the Rio III show on some crusty old VHS tape I got my hands on. As Axl stares open-eyed at the amazing and vast crowd, smiles/jokes with Tommy (he's wearing a wifebeater with a red star), dedicates it and the theme begins... *goosebumps*

The performance of this song in Budapest in '06 gives me chills still. We were down there and it was a semi-chaotic beginning that turned in to a triumphant night. Axl goes all out on Maddie here and jives on the chorus - much like he and Bumble/Tommy have added "uh-uhs" inbetween the opening and ending a-capella of Better on the tour in 2009/2010 now.