The Flashback: #10 - Sorry

[TheBaconman]

Hated it initially.

To be clear, never hated the music.  Even from the jump, thought the guitar work was excellent.

But the lyrics...ugh. I could never believe in all the leaks we got, none of the new songs really delved into how those other bastards in the band, if not the universe itself, was conspiring to keep Axl down.  I figured that would be a constant theme.  I was pleased there wasn't.

Then I heard this.  And thought, oh...there it is.

Here's the thing.  Its a strong, strong vocal.  I think 'Better' is the best vocal on the album, but I thought the "you got all the answers..." and "nobody owes you..." passages were the best example on the album of the Axl I grew up on. 

Over time, I kept giving the song more chances.  Over time, I was impressed enough with the music and the vocals to look past the pissy lyrics.

Solid tune.

(but not a fan of it live, because I think it kills the crowd)

I agree with a lot of this

The guitar work still holds up and musically wise I loved the songs and still like it. 

I really like the tone of Axls voice.  I would love to hear him sing more songs in this way.  As he gets older it may be easier for him to do as well, unlike a welcome to the jungle style

The lyrics are the only a thing to me, that hasn't aged very well....    After listening a few times, I am pretty much, alright already....

[TheBaconman]

This song has also forced me to read useless posters quoting lyrics from this song for nearly 10 years now

Yea I get it, you don't owe me a damn thing.  And yes I understand, you will get kick my ass like you said you would

Ugh

I may be wrong, but I always thought those lyrics about kicking ass were referring to a line in "get in the ring".

I absolutely love Sorry, it is dark, menacing and reminds me of Pink Floyd 

Oh I love me some pink Floyd as well

But I am pretty sure all the quotes we get from the unwashed masses are from this song. 

Not much I have see from the old school songs

[EmilyGNR]

I'll kick your ass
Like I said that I would

Axl at his worst.

And its not even accurate.  That's the real crime here.  Those words are the boasts of a man that came back and took over the world.

Not a dude that dropped an album under the cover of night and then went into Witness Protection for a year.

Unless you know who and/or what exactly he's referring to and in what kind of time frame, how can you make that statement as a fact?

You're interpreting the lyrics and jumping to conclusions.
Which is exactly what great lyrics are supposed to do. No harm in that. But, it's just your personal theory. Something to keep in mind.


Love the song. Another little different facet of the GN'R diamond.



/jarmo

They are terrible lyrics though. Whether they are about Slash, Stephanie Seymour. They are the heir to the truly cringeworthy Get in the Ring and Shotgun Blues (''you can suck my ass'').

I happen to like the afore mentioned lyrics, and can definitely see how they could apply to some people, who are cringeworthy on a daily basis. 

[EmilyGNR]

This song has also forced me to read useless posters quoting lyrics from this song for nearly 10 years now

Yea I get it, you don't owe me a damn thing.  And yes I understand, you will get kick my ass like you said you would

Ugh

I may be wrong, but I always thought those lyrics about kicking ass were referring to a line in "get in the ring".

I absolutely love Sorry, it is dark, menacing and reminds me of Pink Floyd 

Oh I love me some pink Floyd as well

But I am pretty sure all the quotes we get from the unwashed masses are from this song. 

Not much I have see from the old school songs

Love your reference to "the unwashed masses" 

[LIGuns]

I felt a Pink Floyd vibe as well..

[The Wight Gunner]

I'll kick your ass
Like I said that I would

Axl at his worst.

And its not even accurate.  That's the real crime here.  Those words are the boasts of a man that came back and took over the world.

Not a dude that dropped an album under the cover of night and then went into Witness Protection for a year.

Unless you know who and/or what exactly he's referring to and in what kind of time frame, how can you make that statement as a fact?

You're interpreting the lyrics and jumping to conclusions.
Which is exactly what great lyrics are supposed to do. No harm in that. But, it's just your personal theory. Something to keep in mind.


Love the song. Another little different facet of the GN'R diamond.



/jarmo

They are terrible lyrics though. Whether they are about Slash, Stephanie Seymour. They are the heir to the truly cringeworthy Get in the Ring and Shotgun Blues (''you can suck my ass'').

I always thought this song was about Doug Goldstein, the Slash song (for me anyway) on CD is Prostitute...

[LIGuns]

I think Axl said this and TWAT were not necessarily about one specific person or moment but about many experiences..bad ass lyric "the difference is that nobody cares about you"..

[jarmo]

I always thought this song was about Doug Goldstein, the Slash song (for me anyway) on CD is Prostitute...

There you go. The lyrics could be about one person, or multiple persons over the years.....
Free to your own interpretation. 


/jarmo

[russkwtx]

It is one of my favorites on the album and I liked it immediately. I think it is great live and am not convinced that it breaks the show's momentum anymore than Estranged at song number 5 or 6 does. It just changes the flow a bit but it's such a strong and powerful song that I don't mind at all.

[jarmo]

Anything new and/or unknown will have the same effect on a show.
It's not a song specific thing. Happens at all concerts....



/jarmo

[HBK]

I  Sorry

[19AT5]

I actually quite like Sorry. The guitar solo is really cool and the chorus is killer. The lyrics are pretty poor in my opinion, but each to their own. Can somebody answer me this though - what the hell is going on with Axl's voice when he sings: "But I don't want to do it?". It's totally out of context with the rest of the song and stands out like a sore thumb!

[Wooody]

I actually quite like Sorry. The guitar solo is really cool and the chorus is killer. The lyrics are pretty poor in my opinion, but each to their own. Can somebody answer me this though - what the hell is going on with Axl's voice when he sings: "But I don't want to do it?". It's totally out of context with the rest of the song and stands out like a sore thumb!

  I like it. It is weird I'll give you that.
Its kind of a like a kid saying, BUt I just don't want to?. clean the room, because he'd rather be playing. 

[D-GenerationX]

I actually quite like Sorry. The guitar solo is really cool and the chorus is killer. The lyrics are pretty poor in my opinion, but each to their own. Can somebody answer me this though - what the hell is going on with Axl's voice when he sings: "But I don't want to do it?". It's totally out of context with the rest of the song and stands out like a sore thumb!

It's totally conspicuous.

I always assumed it was some inside joke.

[Virolec]

Chinese Democracy is a very good record, but I really cannot stand this song.  Some of the others are a bit lightweight, but this is the only song I consistently skip when listening to that album. 

[AHUGEAxlFan]

Awesome live https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=loNHrmWZCEk

[19AT5]

I actually quite like Sorry. The guitar solo is really cool and the chorus is killer. The lyrics are pretty poor in my opinion, but each to their own. Can somebody answer me this though - what the hell is going on with Axl's voice when he sings: "But I don't want to do it?". It's totally out of context with the rest of the song and stands out like a sore thumb!

It's totally conspicuous.

I always assumed it was some inside joke.

In my opinion, that line just sounds bloody stupid! It doesn't fit with the rest of the song.

[CheapJon]

Sorry is fucking great. I love the powerful ending, probably the best part of the song. Chorus is awesome. Love the dragged out almost monotonous "MEEEEEEEEEEE". One of the best songs on the album. A great blend with soothing verses and heaviness in the chorus. 

[CheapJon]

Awesome live https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=loNHrmWZCEk

Ugh, Ashba. Glad he's out.

I actually quite like Sorry. The guitar solo is really cool and the chorus is killer. The lyrics are pretty poor in my opinion, but each to their own. Can somebody answer me this though - what the hell is going on with Axl's voice when he sings: "But I don't want to do it?". It's totally out of context with the rest of the song and stands out like a sore thumb!

I'm not 100% sure but I think Axl answered that question in the legendary forum chats. Can't remember the answer though so you'll have to look it up yourself. 

Actually couldn't find the answer in the chats now when I was speed reading the answers, maybe it's in there maybe it's not but if you haven't read the whole thing I'd recommend you to do it. It's awesome. Wish he could've done it more times.

[D-GenerationX]

Sorry is fucking great. I love the powerful ending, probably the best part of the song. Chorus is awesome. Love the dragged out almost monotonous "MEEEEEEEEEEE". One of the best songs on the album. A great blend with soothing verses and heaviness in the chorus. 

Agreed.  The end is the strongest part.

Solid musicianship on that tune.