Sound Of A Gun

Album: Revelations (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by the Iraq War that many, including Audioslave, found unnecessary. The lyrics deal with trying to live a normal life in a state of out-of-control global tension, aggression, violence, and insanity. Lead singer Chris Cornell did not want Audioslave to be a political band like Rage Against The Machine (whom his Audioslave bandmates were part of), but this song is an exception.
  • The breakdown of the song is recycled from another Audioslave song. If you listen to "Drown Me Slowly" from the album Out Of Exile, during the bridge where Chris Cornell is singing, "Don't let them take you down." If you listen closely you can hear him sing, "The open mouth of the city swallowed the town with that same old concrete that I still walk down. And it seems they put a shine on this place when I was young but baby I just don't see it now." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM, for above 2

Comments: 3

  • Pete from New Haven, Ctim thinkin that line about "putting a shine on this place when when i was young" refers to baghdad. like when we were young watching i dream of jeannie and seeing baghdad as this magical place. PP
  • Gerry from Le Roy, IlThe last verse in the song "The open mouth of the city swallowed up the town with that same old concrete that I still walk down. And it seems they put a shine on this place when I was young but baby I just don't see it now." is a direct refernce to the twin towers collapsing and covering new york in ash and concrete
  • Brittany from Rainy River, Canadathis song is great..it has a sweet solo, and i also noticed the words taken from Out of Exile.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

90s Metal

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."