The Flashback: #3 - Better

[Spirit]

This one I must admit made me a "downloading motherfucker".

I didn't hear the whole song in the first listen as it was leaked in pieces at first. Oh my, how excited I was when I first heard this song. It was all I had dreamed the material Axl was working on would sound like. 2006 was a great year to be a fan of GNR!

The song itself:
Solid verses, great vocals, great guitars, great song. The chorus is short and to the point, I like it a lot. I must applaud Robin for creating the riff and solo, it's just excellent. Bucket's guitar work is good, I like the fitting use of the kill switch going into the "mean part" of the song.

The middle part of the song is very good as well, especially live when Axl goes all-in and hits the high notes ? that'll give anyone goosebumps.

The guitar solo is soulful and very well crafted ? sometimes (almost always) less is more, one of Robin's best. The outtro with the backing na-na's and Axl's lyrics, it all just fits. This is my favorite song on the record.

[jazjme]

By far became my favorite song , I still take it over much of the old songs. When I first heard it , it was instantaneous. Last FM says I listened to it 3004 times, its far more than that as that was only plays when I was home ..lol

[Gavgnr]

This is the song that made me realise that Chinese was going to be a kick-ass album

[nick6sic6]

Better was a future classic GN'R song from the moment I heard it.And it gave me goosebumps first time in concert.

[rebelhipi]

First time i head Better was probably on newgnr.com in 2006.

I love the main fiff.

Its one of the better songs from guns period.

[EmilyGNR]

These lyrics are brilliant


So bittersweet
This tragedy
Won't ask for absolution

This melody
Inside of me
Still searches for solution

A twist of faith
A change of heart
Cures my infatuation

A broken heart
Provides the spark
For my determination

[HBK]

My first time, February 2006 only 30 seconds, my opinion:

    

GNR Are Back & Kick Ass 2006 !!!

 

[LIGuns]

Downloaded it as well..Felt a tinge of guilt but knew no matter how much o' Chinese Democracy I would download I was definitely purchasing the actual cd when it came out...

[LongGoneDay]

Too many beers ago now to remember exactly when/where I stumbled upon it, but I remember having a playlist on my iPod of rare old band songs like Crash Diet, Ain?t Goin? Down etc, plus as much new stuff as I could track down. A live version of The Blues, Madagascar, demos of IRS, TWAT, CITR and a short 30+ second clip of Better. Plus a radio advertisement for the Boston 2001 show at the Garden, that served as the playlist?s intro.

At that time I was as optimistic about the potential of the new album as any Guns fan out there. I loved some more than others, but appreciated them all.
I thought Better sounded like Guns with a ?modern? approach if you will, at least at the time. Axl?s voice sounds fucking great(though I must admit I initially thought the intro was a girl singing), the lyrics are strong, and while it?s a pretty catchy track, I can?t say it sounds like anything else. Definitely an original sound.

The first time I got to hear the song in it?s entirety was at the Hammerstein show in ?06, which was just one reason in a long list of why that show ranks up near the top of the 100?s of concerts I?ve been fortunate enough to witness in my day.

[axlvai]

I really dont remember....

When i heard the Chinese Demos or some leak was like "mmm thats it?!". Im fan for the old hungry missed up fucked up punk drunk young yonki Guns n Roses.

And i like GnR now cause Axl is in it. NOTHING MORE.

[D-GenerationX]

Best Axl vocal on the album by far.  Great riff and good lyrics too.

I remember talking on MYGNR when it first leaked that, if this was just a demo, its the best sounding demo I had ever heard from any band.

Probably the best chance they were going to have getting something GNR done past 1991 in the radio rotation.  Shame that didn't really come together.

[HBK]

I remember... Drums Beat HepHap San Francisco Style By Brain.. Amazing !!!

 

[jarmo]

I remember... Drums Beat HepHap San Francisco Style By Brain.. Amazing !!!

 

I can't believe you forgot to mention Robin.....   


Great great song. Different but still GN'R.




/jarmo

[GnR-NOW]

Song brings me back to the spring of 2006 !

[ice cream sand pig]

Probably my favorite song on the album. Absolutely love the lyrics.

"I never wanted you to be someone afraid to know themselves, I only wanted you to see things for yourself."

Always wondered what the inspiration was for that line. It reminds me of self observation, a very cool practice, but one that is nearly impossible to carry out because we are afraid to see our own warts.

[D-GenerationX]

Song brings me back to the spring of 2006 !

That was such a wild time.  You really thought it was all going to happen that year.

[HBK]

I remember... Drums Beat HepHap San Francisco Style By Brain.. Amazing !!!

 

I can't believe you forgot to mention Robin.....   


Great great song. Different but still GN'R.




/jarmo

In this time, i don't know guitars/solos, Bucky or Robin

[draguns]

This should have been the first song released. It's pretty awesome!

[HBK]

Amazing Video !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TcOOgVDvtM

 

[Nytunz]

this is a very good song! Like it a lot!