Here is my Absolute best of Guns N Roses featuring Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, Slash, Steve Adler and Matt Sorem.
* Songs listed below as they appear on my playlist. They are not ranked.
1. 14 Years
Album Name: Use Your Illusion II
Year of Release: 1991
Band Members: Axl Rose (vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar, lead vocals), Duff McKagan (bass), Matt Sorum (drums), Dizzy Reed (keyboards)
Vocals: Features a rare lead vocal performance by Izzy Stradlin, with Axl Rose providing backing vocals and harmonies. Stradlin's raw, slightly weathered delivery contrasts with Rose's more flamboyant style, giving the song a distinct, more grounded feel.
Instruments Used: Classic Guns N' Roses lineup: two guitars (rhythm and lead), bass, drums, and keyboards. Slash's guitar work is prominent with melodic fills and a signature solo. There's a notable piano presence by Dizzy Reed that adds a layer of depth.
Composition: A straightforward, blues-infused hard rock track with a driving rhythm. The song builds effectively, utilizing a strong main riff and a memorable chorus.
Interesting Facts: Often interpreted as a commentary on the strained relationship between Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin, who had been friends for approximately 14 years when the song was written. Stradlin left the band shortly after the Use Your Illusion albums were released.
Recording & Production Quality: Polished yet retaining a live feel, typical of the Use Your Illusion albums. The instruments are well-separated, and the mix allows both Stradlin's vocals and Slash's guitar to shine.
Overall Impact: A fan-favorite deep cut that showcases Stradlin's songwriting and vocal capabilities, offering a different flavor within the Use Your Illusion epic. It's often seen as a glimpse into the band's internal dynamics.
2. Anything Goes
Album Name: Appetite for Destruction
Year of Release: 1987
Band Members: Axl Rose (lead vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Steven Adler (drums)
Vocals: Axl Rose's early, aggressive, and somewhat unhinged vocal delivery. It's raw and energetic, capturing the band's early punk-rock influence.
Instruments Used: Standard five-piece rock band setup: lead and rhythm guitars, bass, and drums. It's driven by a strong, propulsive rhythm section and sharp, riff-based guitar work.
Composition: A fast-paced, high-energy track with a punk rock edge. It features a catchy, repetitive riff and a driving beat. The song is relatively simple in its structure, emphasizing raw power.
Interesting Facts: One of the oldest songs in the Guns N' Roses catalog, dating back to their Hollywood Rose days (originally titled "My Way, Your Way"). It showcases their formative sound and influences.
Recording & Production Quality: Raw and energetic, reflecting the "live in the studio" feel of Appetite for Destruction. The sound is direct and powerful, with a noticeable grit.
Overall Impact: While not a single, it's a solid album track that perfectly encapsulates the raucous, rebellious spirit of early Guns N' Roses and the Appetite for Destruction era.
3. Bad Apple
Album Name: Use Your Illusion I
Year of Release: 1991
Band Members: Axl Rose (lead vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Matt Sorum (drums), Dizzy Reed (keyboards)
Vocals: Axl Rose's vocals are strong and expressive, shifting between a more subdued delivery in the verses and a powerful, almost snarling tone in the choruses. There are clear harmonies throughout.
Instruments Used: Features a prominent, bluesy guitar riff from Slash, backed by a tight rhythm section. The song incorporates both power chords and full barre chords, creating a dynamic guitar sound. There's a subtle but effective use of keyboards.
Composition: A mid-tempo hard rock track with a distinctive, slightly funky groove. The composition allows for ample space for Slash's melodic and technical guitar solos, which blend speed with expressive bending and vibrato.
Interesting Facts: The guitar solo in "Bad Apple" is considered a masterclass in Slash's ability to combine technical skill with melodic sensibility.
Recording & Production Quality: Well-produced with a full, rich sound, characteristic of the Use Your Illusion albums. The guitar tones are particularly well-defined.
Overall Impact: A strong, grooving track that showcases the band's continued evolution in songwriting and musicianship, especially Slash's guitar prowess. It's a testament to their hard rock foundation with added complexity.
4. Welcome to the Jungle
Album Name: Appetite for Destruction
Year of Release: 1987
Band Members: Axl Rose (lead vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Steven Adler (drums)
Vocals: Axl Rose's iconic, raw, and highly energetic vocals, ranging from a sneering growl to piercing screams. It's an aggressive and unforgettable performance.
Instruments Used: Driven by Slash's instantly recognizable opening riff, the song features explosive lead guitar, tight rhythm guitar, a powerful bassline, and aggressive, dynamic drumming.
Composition: A fast-paced, chaotic, yet tightly structured hard rock anthem. It features multiple distinct sections, including the legendary opening riff, a powerful chorus, and a high-energy guitar solo. The dynamic shifts contribute to its visceral impact.
Interesting Facts: The song was inspired by Axl Rose's initial experiences moving to Los Angeles. Its music video was initially rejected by MTV but became a staple after Geffen Records pressured them to play it, leading to a massive surge in the band's popularity.
Recording & Production Quality: Gritty and powerful, capturing the raw energy of the band. The production emphasizes the guitars and Axl's vocals, giving it an immediate and impactful sound.
Overall Impact: An undeniable rock anthem that launched Guns N' Roses into global stardom. It defined their sound and image, becoming one of their most iconic and enduring tracks. Its raw energy and lyrical themes of urban decay and survival resonated deeply.
5. Garden of Eden
Album Name: Use Your Illusion I
Year of Release: 1991
Band Members: Axl Rose (lead vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Matt Sorum (drums), Dizzy Reed (keyboards)
Vocals: Axl Rose delivers a rapid-fire, almost spoken-word vocal style in the verses, contrasting with a more melodic and aggressive chorus. His performance is intense and articulate.
Instruments Used: A high-octane punk-influenced hard rock track. Features aggressive guitar riffs, a driving bassline, and frantic drumming. Keyboards provide a subtle atmospheric layer.
Composition: Extremely fast-paced and aggressive, showcasing the band's punk influences. The song is characterized by its relentless tempo and a sense of urgency. The structure is relatively straightforward, focusing on raw power.
Interesting Facts: The music video for "Garden of Eden" is notable for being a single, continuous shot of Axl Rose in close-up with the band playing behind him, with Dizzy Reed and Teddy Andreadis (harmonica player during the UYI tour) dancing in the background. Lyrically, it's a cynical commentary on society and religion.
Recording & Production Quality: Clean and powerful, capturing the speed and intensity of the track without sounding muddy. The production allows each instrument to be heard clearly despite the rapid tempo.
Overall Impact: A less commercially successful but highly energetic track that highlights the band's punk roots and Axl's lyrical frustrations with societal issues. It's a furious burst of hard rock.
6. Don't Damn Me
Album Name: Use Your Illusion I
Year of Release: 1991
Band Members: Axl Rose (lead vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Matt Sorum (drums), Dizzy Reed (keyboards)
Vocals: Axl Rose's vocals are aggressive and full of defiance, often bordering on a rant. His delivery conveys a strong sense of personal conviction and frustration.
Instruments Used: A heavy, driving hard rock track. Features complex, interweaving guitar riffs from Slash and Izzy, a powerful and consistent bassline, and Matt Sorum's drumming providing a solid, driving rhythm.
Composition: A dense and powerful track with a driving, relentless rhythm. It's characterized by its lyrical intensity and a sense of barely contained rage. The song maintains a high energy throughout.
Interesting Facts: Lyrically, "Don't Damn Me" is considered a direct response from Axl Rose to his critics and the media, addressing his frustrations and controversies surrounding the band. Slash's guitar solo is particularly acclaimed for its melodic yet aggressive nature.
Recording & Production Quality: Solid and robust, giving the song a heavy and impactful sound. The guitars are particularly well-mixed to create a thick, aggressive tone.
Overall Impact: A potent and defiant statement from Axl Rose, showcasing the band's ability to channel anger and frustration into powerful, well-composed hard rock. It's a fan favorite for its intensity and lyrical honesty.
7. Don't Cry
Album Name: Use Your Illusion I (Original version) & Use Your Illusion II (Alternate Lyrics version)
Year of Release: 1991
Band Members: Axl Rose (lead vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Matt Sorum (drums), Dizzy Reed (keyboards), Shannon Hoon (backing vocals)
Vocals: Axl Rose's vocals are emotionally charged and powerful, showcasing his incredible range and ability to convey vulnerability and passion. Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon provides memorable backing vocals.
Instruments Used: A power ballad that builds from acoustic guitar and piano to a full rock arrangement with electric guitars, bass, and drums. Slash's solo is highly melodic and iconic.
Composition: A classic power ballad structure, starting softly and gradually building in intensity with orchestral elements (though primarily synthesized on the album) and soaring guitar work. The melody is instantly recognizable and emotionally resonant.
Interesting Facts: "Don't Cry" is one of the oldest songs written by Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin, predating Appetite for Destruction. Two versions exist on the Use Your Illusion albums, with slightly different lyrics. The music video is part of the "November Rain" trilogy, forming a narrative arc.
Recording & Production Quality: Lush and polished, with a rich sound that allows for the emotional depth of the song. The production highlights the interplay between the vocals, guitar, and piano.
Overall Impact: A massive hit and one of Guns N' Roses' most enduring ballads, known for its emotional lyrics and Slash's iconic guitar solo. It solidified their ability to create epic, heartfelt rock anthems.
8. Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Album Name: Use Your Illusion II
Year of Release: 1991 (though a live version appeared on the Days of Thunder soundtrack in 1990)
Band Members: Axl Rose (lead vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Matt Sorum (drums), Dizzy Reed (keyboards), Shannon Hoon (backing vocals)
Vocals: Axl Rose's powerful and emotive vocals deliver Bob Dylan's classic lyrics with a distinct hard rock intensity, yet retaining a sense of pathos. The backing vocals from Shannon Hoon add significant depth.
Instruments Used: A rock adaptation of Bob Dylan's folk-rock original. It features prominent electric guitars, a strong bassline, and Matt Sorum's drums, which provide a powerful yet tasteful rhythm. Keyboards and backing vocals enrich the sound.
Composition: While a cover, Guns N' Roses transformed it into an epic, anthemic rock track. It builds gradually, incorporating extended guitar solos and a more powerful, arena-rock feel, while still retaining the original's melodic core.
Interesting Facts: Guns N' Roses frequently performed this song live before its official release on Use Your Illusion II, becoming a staple of their live shows. It became one of their most successful singles and a definitive rock cover version. Bob Dylan himself reportedly praised their rendition.
Recording & Production Quality: Grand and powerful, giving the song an arena-rock scale. The production emphasizes the layered guitars, soaring vocals, and dynamic shifts.
Overall Impact: An incredibly successful cover that introduced the song to a new generation of rock fans and showcased Guns N' Roses' ability to reinterpret classics with their signature hard rock style, making it their own.
9. Live and Let Die
Album Name: Use Your Illusion I
Year of Release: 1991
Band Members: W. Axl Rose (lead vocals, keyboard, programming, backing vocals), Slash (lead guitar, 6-string bass), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Matt Sorum (drums), Dizzy Reed (keyboards), Shannon Hoon (backing vocals), Johann Langlie (programming), Jon Trautwein (horn), Matthew McKagan (horn), Rachel West (horn), Robert Clark (horn)
Vocals: Axl Rose's vocals are versatile, shifting from a clear, melodic delivery in the verses to a more forceful, almost operatic intensity in the rock sections.
Instruments Used: A powerful and dynamic hard rock rendition of the Paul McCartney & Wings original. Features a driving rhythm section, intricate guitar work, and notable use of horns and keyboards, adding a symphonic dimension.
Composition: The band's cover largely retains the original's structure but amplifies its rock elements and adds a characteristic GNR swagger. It features distinct sections, from the piano-driven intro to explosive rock passages and an instrumental break with horns.
Interesting Facts: A cover of the theme song from the James Bond film of the same name. Guns N' Roses' version became a hit and a staple of their live shows, often featuring pyrotechnics. Paul McCartney himself reportedly appreciated their heavier take on his song.
Recording & Production Quality: Big and expansive, with a powerful mix that balances the rock instrumentation with the orchestral elements. It sounds grand and cinematic.
Overall Impact: A highly successful and energetic cover that demonstrated the band's willingness to tackle diverse material and their ability to transform it into a signature GNR sound. It became a significant hit and a live favorite.
10. Paradise City
Album Name: Appetite for Destruction
Year of Release: 1987
Band Members: Axl Rose (lead vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Steven Adler (drums)
Vocals: Axl Rose's vocals are a tour-de-force, ranging from soaring highs to gritty declarations. The iconic "Take me down to the Paradise City..." chorus is delivered with immense power.
Instruments Used: Features a driving, memorable guitar riff from Slash, backed by a relentless rhythm section. The song boasts a strong bassline and high-energy drumming. Keyboards add a subtle layer, particularly in the later, more expansive section.
Composition: An epic hard rock anthem that blends fast-paced verses with a soaring, melodic chorus, culminating in an extended, dynamic outro. It cleverly shifts between punk-rock intensity and arena-rock grandeur.
Interesting Facts: The song famously changes tempo and feel during its extended outro, transitioning from hard rock to a more celebratory, almost danceable groove. It's one of the band's earliest collaborations, written during a van ride back from a gig.
Recording & Production Quality: Energetic and raw, yet with enough clarity to distinguish each instrument. The production captures the band's live power while giving the track a polished radio-ready sound.
Overall Impact: One of Guns N' Roses' most beloved and iconic songs. It's a definitive rock anthem, known for its infectious energy, aspirational lyrics, and epic scope, solidifying their status as major rock stars.
11. Sweet Child O' Mine
Album Name: Appetite for Destruction
Year of Release: 1987
Band Members: Axl Rose (lead vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Steven Adler (drums)
Vocals: Axl Rose delivers one of his most beloved vocal performances, showcasing both vulnerability and power, culminating in a raw, emotional climax.
Instruments Used: Built around Slash's legendary arpeggiated guitar riff, the song features melodic lead guitar work, a solid rhythm section, and a memorable bassline.
Composition: A classic rock ballad that builds in intensity. It starts with a clean, melodic guitar intro, progresses through heartfelt verses and a soaring chorus, and ends with a powerful, often improvised, jam-like outro. The dynamics are masterfully handled.
Interesting Facts: The iconic opening riff was initially a guitar exercise Slash would play, which Axl Rose overheard and began writing lyrics to. It became the band's only number one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
Recording & Production Quality: Balanced and clear, allowing the intricate guitar work and Axl's powerful vocals to shine. The production captures both the song's initial delicacy and its later rock power.
Overall Impact: Guns N' Roses' signature song and one of the most recognizable rock anthems of all time. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless melody, heartfelt lyrics, and Slash's unforgettable guitar work.
12. November Rain
Album Name: Use Your Illusion I
Year of Release: 1991 (single released in 1992)
Band Members: W. Axl Rose (lead and backing vocals, piano, string synthesizer, choir), Slash (lead guitar, backing vocals, choir), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar, backing vocals, choir), Duff McKagan (bass guitar, backing vocals, choir), Matt Sorum (drums, backing vocals, choir), Dizzy Reed (backing vocals, choir), Stuart Bailey (backing vocals, choir), Shannon Hoon (backing vocals, choir), Johann Langlie (synthesizer programming), Reba Shaw (backing vocals, choir).
Vocals: Axl Rose's vocals are epic and theatrical, showcasing his full range from tender whispers to powerful belts. His piano playing is also a central component.
Instruments Used: A grand power ballad featuring prominent piano, sweeping orchestral arrangements (synthesized on the original album, a real orchestra for the 2022 reissue), Slash's iconic and extended guitar solos, bass, and drums.
Composition: An ambitious, nearly nine-minute epic with multiple movements. It builds from a piano ballad to a full-blown hard rock anthem with powerful guitar solos and a grand, orchestral finale. Its progressive structure is a hallmark.
Interesting Facts: One of the longest songs ever to reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The elaborate music video, costing over $1.5 million at the time, became iconic and is one of the most-watched rock videos on YouTube. It was reportedly an 18-minute demo as early as 1986.
Recording & Production Quality: Highly polished, lush, and cinematic, designed for a grand scale. The production masterfully blends the rock instrumentation with the orchestral elements, creating a truly epic soundscape.
Overall Impact: A monumental and ambitious power ballad that cemented Guns N' Roses' status as a band capable of creating epic, artistic rock music. It became a global phenomenon and remains one of their most celebrated and recognized songs.
