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Re: Axl Rose - Criminally underrated lyricist.
Was going through some UYI stuff and it dawned on me how under appreciated Axl is as a writer. He is usually seen as, albeit very talented, the egocentric and childish rock star who only complains about his problems. With AFD, One In A Million and Get In The Ring, the riots and rants I can sort of see where that's coming from.
Then on the other hand you get Locomotive, Coma, Breakdown, Estranged, Dead Horse, Don't Damn Me etc. All profoundly deep songs with a clear philosophical message. Axl is not like RATM or John Lennon. He doesn't sing about big issues, he's all about the personal approach cause that's all he knows, and you ask me he's damn apt at it too.
Re: Axl Rose - Criminally underrated lyricist.
I actually agree 100 percent. There is rarely another lyricist that can connect with me the way Axl does. The way he uses and groups his words and his sense of melody and harmony is among the best. He has a very great way of telling a personal story but leaving it open enough that it can connect to those in similar situations. The mark of a great lyricist is not all about the big issues and the world as you said but rather how you can connect to your listener. And Axl has that ability to connect emotionally through a bunch of different channels. He is one of my main lyrical influences as a song writer.
- Smoking Guns
- Rep: 330
Re: Axl Rose - Criminally underrated lyricist.
Brilliant lyrics on some songs, NO DOUBT!!!! Breakdown, Coma, Estranged, even civil war....
- Smoking Guns
- Rep: 330
Re: Axl Rose - Criminally underrated lyricist.
By far. Axl is the highlight on CD. Some good shit there.
- Me_Wise_Magic
- Rep: 70
Re: Axl Rose - Criminally underrated lyricist.
Yeah I was going through alot of the Guns songs lately and I notice how great Axl puts those lyrics together. Sure he has alot help or added assistance in those lyrics either from Izzy, Duff, Slash, Chris, Caram, Tobias, etc etc; but some of songs helped me in a dark place I was in emotionally a few months back. This I Love has some amazing words that touch you emotionally. It's a very melancholy song. With songs like Dead Horse I could totally relate to if somebody pisses me off or some trouble comes my way, I will be down and jaded; but remember that eventually something better will come around the corner. Alot people use Sweet Child for weddings, proposals, and even births too. xD
- Me_Wise_Magic
- Rep: 70
Re: Axl Rose - Criminally underrated lyricist.
I can agree with that. Oh My God is such a great song. Just wish it was played live and some of the new songs too.
Re: Axl Rose - Criminally underrated lyricist.
Axl is not like RATM or John Lennon. He doesn't sing about big issues, he's all about the personal approach cause that's all he knows, and you ask me he's damn apt at it too.
not sure i agree w/this.
well, he's not like RATM in sofar as he's not shit, but what's Civil War or Chinese Democracy?
i do know where you're coming from. he's probably at his best on stuff like SCoM with it's personal but universal reach. but he doesn't shy away from social comment either - "organised religion makes a mockery of humanity etc"
UYI's especially are covered in lyrical genius
i thought he took a massive step-BACK on CD however - the over-reliance on the cut & paste, lack of anything worth singing along too (Better inparticular is ruined by this). they do tell good stories, tho very similar, & there are a few highlights (Sorry's playground chorus completely wipes the floor w/the similarly puerile How Do You Sleep?, Maddy is a tour-de-force).
but take Prostitute, or even TWAT. great fucking songs, & good stories but who the fuck is gonna be singing along to them in concert (that is, if he ever had the balls to play them) the way you can w/SCoM? there's no "whoa-oh's" on the album at all. The Blues is the only thing that comes close to a sing-along but even it stretches credibility with it's WhatITellYA/InsideofYou finish & bad tempo.
& another thing - where the fuck has all the sex gone? maybe one or two occasions it was discussed on the UYI's but CD is disturbing asexual for a band who did Anything Goes & Rocket Queen.
& it's gotten some stick on here the past few weeks but seriously, OIAM fucking kills lyrically. an absolutely awesome song & awesome, fearless lyric.
