Album: Use Your Illusion 2 (1991)

License This Song 

• I try and feel the sunshine
  You bring the rain
  You try and hold me down
  With your complaints
  You cry and moan and complain
  You whine and tear
  Up to my neck in sorrow
  The touch you bring
  You just don't step inside to, to fourteen years
  So hard to keep my own head, that's what I say, you know
  I've been the beggar
  I've played the thief
  I was the dog, they all tried to beat
  
  But it's been
  Fourteen years of silence
  It's been
  Fourteen years of pain
  It's been
  Fourteen years that are gone forever
  And I'll never have again, well
  
  Your stupid girlfriends tell you
  That I'm to blame
  Well, they're all used-up has-beens
  Out of the game
  This time I'll have the last word
  You hear what I say
  I tried to see it your way
  It won't work today
  You don't just step inside to, to fourteen years
  So hard to keep my own head, that's what I say
  You know, I've been the dealer hangin' on your street
  I was the dog, they all tried to beat
  
  But it's been
  Fourteen years of silence
  It's been
  Fourteen years of pain
  It's been
  Fourteen years that are gone forever
  And I'll never have again, well
  
  Yeah it's been, oh no!
  
  Bullshit and contemplation
  Gossip's their trade
  If they knew half the real truth
  What would they say?
  Well I'm past the point of concern
  It's time to play
  These last four years of madness
  Sure put me straight
  You don't get back fourteen years
  In just one day
  So hard to keep my own head
  Just go away
  You know, just like a hooker she said
  Nothin' is free
  Oh I tried to see it your way
  I tried to see it your way Writer/s: DARREN A. REED, DUFF ROSE MCKAGAN, IZZY STRADLIN, MATT SORUM, SAUL HUDSON, W. AXL ROSE
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 15

• Deco from UsaI always tought that It was a lyric written by Izzy about Axl.. It makes much sense If you read It this way. Tô me, one of the greatest songs gnr ever made.
• Jeffrey Saint HartfordThe song has to do with the pain and suffering that Axel and Izzy endured while they were coming up through the ranks, specifically the critics who never gave Izzy axle Guns N’ Roses any credit they Deserved. That s--t caused a lot of problems and put them in a lot of dangerous situations from what I hear
• Fran from ItalyBut what the line during the bridge says?
• Evestradlin from Paris, FranceIzzy is credited but he has nothing to do with the song? Manson, you don't know a thing! This song is a pure creature of Mr Stradlin, that's why he wrote the song, he used to sing this song live and that's why they stopped playing it after he left. This song was written in 1991. Izzy was 29, so I think he was too young for 14 years of marriage. Probably it's about his friendship with Axl and probably some parts are written together with him. But I'm sure it has nothing to do with Manson. (and Yeah he ha a great voice!)
• Pete from Los Angeles, CaThis song has nothing to do with Charles Manson. It's written by Stradlin about Axl. Which is likely the reason this hasn't been played live by the band since Izzy left. As for Charlie, GN'R covered a Manson song on The Spaghetti Incident (last studio album with original lineup) called "Look At Your Game, Girl". It was a hidden track after the final listed song on the album.
• Manson from La, Ca After Manson was charged with the crimes he was later convicted of, recordings of songs written and performed by him were released commercially. Artists, including Guns N' Roses, White Zombie and Marilyn Manson, have covered his songs. this is from the wiki encyclopedia.. google charles manson. its all there
  
  
• Manson from La, Caone more thing the you he refers to are cult members such as Squeaky Fromm... Linda Kasabian.. ect..
• Manson from La, Caseems you need enlightenment about this song. izzy is credited with this song however he did not write it. it is a song by charles manson. you just dont step inside and do14 years is a reference to prison and the length of time he was in up to that period. 14 years that are gone forever and i'll never have again.. well.. i would hope you get the meaning now. manson was payed for his songs and still writes them. this song was very controversial when it first came out. not many people wanna credit a murderer for thier music.
  
• Dane from Green Cove Springs Fla., FlI love this one.I always thought Izzy was the most talented G&R member,not to mention the smartest.After he left,it was over as far as I'm concerned.They made some great music.Too bad personal/musical differences did 'em in...
• Alex from Ocean, NjIzzy's got a great voice! Too bad people don't give him any credit for writing AND singing this song.
• Takae from London, United KingdomIt's been said that the original version were written when Axl felt betrayed by Izzy for making critical comments about him in a magazine interview. This was during a time when GnR (especially Axl) experienced bad press. They had a big fight over the interview, and made a truce later. As part of the truce, Izzy helped him finish the song.
• Jason from State Of Fitz, NjIn this song, Axl Rose lashes out at critics who did not give Guns N' Roses credit for paying their dues.Are you kidding me with that interpetation? especially since Izzy wrote the majority of the lyrics.
• Jason from State Of Fitz, Njhow is 14 years about Axl and Izzy's relationship? he's riping a woman. You could say it's about the the two of them, but I don't think so
• Declan from Liverpoolhmm the lyrics are clearly pointing towards a failed marriage.
• Victoria from BÃ?rum, Norway14 years of pain! wow...

More Songfacts:

Bad GirlsDonna Summer

Donna Summer's "Bad Girls" is about prostitutes, but it was still used in the movie Rugrats In Paris.

I Melt With YouModern English

"I'll Melt With You" by Modern English is about a couple who melt together because a nuclear bomb drops.

Tomorrow PeopleZiggy Marley & the Melody Makers

"Tomorrow People" by Ziggy Marley is the first song by a Marley to crack the US Top 40; the highest Bob got was #51 with "Roots, Rock, Reggae."

AqualungJethro Tull

Jethro Tull lead singer Ian Anderson wrote "Aqualung" after looking at pictures of homeless men that his wife took. She got a co-writing credit on the song.

A Moment Like ThisKelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson's coronation song when she won American Idol in 2002 was "A Moment Like This," which was released as her first single and went to #1. Every finalist that season recorded the song in case they won.

Highway to HellAC/DC

The "Highway To Hell" is the Canning Highway in Australia, which seems to go on forever, at least according to AC/DC.

Editor's Picks

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.