Cleaning My Gun

Album: Songbook (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This previously unreleased somber ballad is from Songbook, a solo acoustic album recorded live by Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. On the record you hear him explaining to the audience, before playing the song, "It's about a guy who loses the love of his life and decides to maybe take himself out. Or at least he's thinking about it. He's writing a song is what he's doing."
  • The song is based on the concept of a running joke that Cornell used to have with a friend of his when he used to work at a restaurant. He explained to Spinner: "It's a joke about when somebody was feeling suicidal and went home and sort of pretended they're cleaning their gun and blow their head off. It was a metaphor for somebody who was in a bad way or a bad mood or feeling depressed. I remembered that and felt it would be an interesting approach to writing a lament like that - somebody who was down and out, and in that mood without necessarily using those words, without spelling it out."

Comments: 1

  • Mighty from CubaGun is a euphemism for “Penis.”
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.