G N' R Lies
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Lies, aka G N' R Lies, is the second album by the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music). According to the RIAA, it has sold 5 million copies in the United States. Presently 2009[1]
Background and recording
The first four tracks consist of the previously released EP Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide. The last four songs were recorded with acoustic guitars. They were written and recorded in only a few studio sessions[2] (with the exception of "You're Crazy," which appeared in an alternate version on Appetite for Destruction), which producer Mike Clink called "one of those magical rock and roll history moments."[2]
In later interviews, Axl Rose stated that while he loved how the band sounded on the last four songs, he hated the sound of his voice. Rose recalled that his voice was husky and scratchy from the band's lengthy touring at the time, and if he could he would've re-recorded his vocal tracks in a separate session.[2]
"You're Crazy" had been released previously on the band's debut album, Appetite for Destruction and was now recorded as written originally.[3] "Mama Kin" is an Aerosmith song, which originally appeared on the band's 1973 debut album. "Nice Boys" is a Rose Tattoo cover from their 1980 album Rose Tattoo. "Used to Love Her" and "Patience" were written by Izzy Stradlin'. Slash stated that "People think it's about one of our old girlfriends, but it's actually about Axl's dog."[4]
Packaging
The cover is a parody of tabloid newspapers as are the liner notes. The LP cover art underwent several minor modifications when the title was released on CD.[2] First, in the bottom left corner reading "LIES LIES LIES" originally read "Wife-beating has been around for 10,000 years." Secondly, instead of "Elephant gives birth to midget", the original headline reads, "Ladies, welcome to the dark ages." Many copies of the original LP release also contained an uncensored picture of a nude model on the inner LP sleeve.[5]
The cover art also bears a resemblance to John Lennon's Sometime in New York City, an album that contains Lennon's controversial "Woman Is the Nigger of the World" - a song Axl has cited when defending his use of the word "nigger" in "One in a Million." [6] Coincidentally, half of Sometime in New York City also contains "live" material recorded two years earlier.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Reckless Life" | Guns N' Roses | 3:20 |
| 2. | "Nice Boys" (originally by Rose Tattoo) | Rose Tattoo | 3:03 |
| 3. | "Move to the City" | Guns N' Roses | 3:42 |
| 4. | "Mama Kin" (originally by Aerosmith) | Steven Tyler | 3:57 |
All tracks are written by Guns N' Roses
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Patience" | 5:56 |
| 6. | "Used to Love Her" | 3:13 |
| 7. | "You're Crazy" (acoustic) | 4:10 |
| 8. | "One in a Million" | 6:10 |
Personnel
- Axl Rose – lead vocals
- Slash – lead guitar, acoustic guitar
- Izzy Stradlin – rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- Duff McKagan – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Steven Adler – drums, percussion
References
- ^ "United States Accreditations". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
- ^ a b c d Album info at Last.fm
- ^ Song info at GNRSource.com
- ^ info at GNRSource.com
- ^ Guns N' Roses, G N' R Lies. Geffen Records, GHS 24198; 1988.
- ^ See Axl's interview in Rolling Stone with Del James
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