Gun Shy

Album: In My Tribe (1987)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • 10,000 Maniacs lead singer Natalie Merchant wrote this song, which is about her little brother who had joined the United States Army. She told The Guardian: "Women aren't usually the ones who go out and kill. Traditionally, women are the ones who've given life rather than taken it. That's changing because a lot of men are adopting more pacifist attitudes. I felt so betrayed when my brother joined up because he's my baby brother and I felt he was ignoring all my teaching. I sent him the album including 'Gun Shy' on cassette and told him to listen to every song without exception. He came to see us in Germany a couple of weeks ago and he told me the army was no life for him. But it's not just him. my stepbrother and sister are also employed by the US Government to murder people. It's a problem at holidays, we have some tense family meals."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.