Here Today... Gone To Hell!

/jarmo

I honestly think this is the best song on the album. I am so glad it didnt leak earlier, as it was such a great suprise. It sounds so fresh and Axl's lyrics are smooth as silk over the piano. AXL = GOD.  :peace:

I'm going to keep being annoying about this to everyone I know, here and everywhere.

This I Love is the sound a heart makes as it is breaking.

:rofl:

wow, getting pretty deep in here isn't it?

just listen to the lyrics, its total heartbreak and also so beautiful......this song makes you think about the ones that got away! tears to my eyes

it is a beautiful song, just thinking about it makes me wanna hear it again but i almost don't want to untill i have my own copy in my hands.

i'm thinkin' this should be the next single after Better, hands down :peace:

yup this i love is like a november rain song

and when i listen to it i do not know why but tears comes out

I have always hoped to hear Axl sing in such a raw manner with Piano. And this sound delivers.


Axl voice is incredible on the whole album. Better than ever!!!

I don't get all the hype over this song, its good but nothing amazing to me.


Also the melody.  All I can think of is Fry singing "he probably doesn't want me dating her..." from the last episode of Futurama.

The song reminds me of a musical, like Cats or Phantom Of The Opera... and some of the lyrics make me cringe. But a great solo, hopefully the song will grow on me.

great song

This is the one song that has been stuck in my head since I heard it.

What a top notch vocal melody.  The piano and string arrangements send chills down my spine.

This I Love is the most beautiful song. I don't know any other way to describe it. My brain's all mushy from its beauty. hola.

Before I forget...

Major props go out to Patti Hood.

A beautiful song, full of emotion.

Yeah, it's the acceptable face of Andrew Lloyd webber-style music(als). Because we all know that ALW has an unacceptable face. The simplicity of the arrangement and production in contrast to some of CDs overblown moments shows that sometimes less really can be more.

fantastic song.The November Rain/Estranged of Chinese Democracy

i really like the song, still its my least favourite song of the album. The album is a pure masterpiece in my humble opinion.

Its really hard to hear someone spill their guts like that. Very, very powerful. This song needs to be heard by the masses!

I hate musicals a lot. I don't like how they're sung, I don't like the music, or the lyrics. I just listened to This I Love. It is a song I've anticipated for 15 years and, with some of these reviews comparing it to ALW, I've been dreading it for a week. Anyhow, I thought it was the most beautiful bit of pop music I ever heard--at least since I first heard John Lennon on A Day in the Life or Imagine. No matter what the literary quality of the lyrics, or the style of the music, it hit me deeper than any possible critical reaction. I think the key to the lyrics is how Axl sings them. It goes deeper than figuring what is "good" or "bad" lyrically. He's like any great singer here where the cliches become something profound and tragic when he sings them. You have to listen to the tone of the voice, rather than analyze what he's saying.

This will probably be the only negativity I'll have

This song is incredible, probably my favorite GNR Song ever


that guitar solo though.............................................. that is the only thing wrong with this. If Finck had done a "Street of Dreams" type thing or just something with a bit more melody and movement, this song would be a one million out of 10

instead its just 990,000 out of 10  :hihi:

i totally agree. i love the song but the solo kind of........ruins it a bit (just a little bit!)

I promised myself not to hear "Sorry" or "This I Love" until I have the album in my hands and I won't.

But my girlfriend did listen the song and said that was beautiful and very emotional (and she always says shit about GN'R to make me anger :hihi:)

patti's rocking it! I LOVE HARP!
this i love is beautiful. :love:

i don't hear the harp or whatever she use on the song

you don't hear a harp  ??? ... I hear it very well!



well I absoultely adore the solo ... it couldn't be any better ... but just my opinion :)

v. ..

the sound of song seems that came from 93.. it sounds very similiar with the sonority of UYI..:)

I guess I'm the minority here. A very blah song to me. It's too Broadway for my taste. The piano melody is beautiful but the lyrical rhythm is too predictable. I really detest rhyming every line. Very Phantom of The Oprea. I imagine if it's a single it would do very well because the masses love sappy ballads. Every heartbroken girl will play it hugging their pillow. But as far as masterpieces go for me it's no "Estranged"

I was never a fan of Robin, and I have always preferred GN'R when they are rocking hard. Shockingly, this song is by far my favourite on the album. I especially like the guitar work, and when everyone is unhappy about Robin being out (allegedly), I wasn't at all bothered. Now I am a little annoyed I won't get to hear him play this solo live.

Here's more I didn't expect from GN'R. This effort knocks is completely out of the park. The lyrics are so direct and sang with such heart that they express more then what's just being sang. What I didn't expect was the fairly basic production. I love how the song could have SO much more going on, but it doesn't. That says alot to me about the message of the song. The solo is incredible for many reasons. The feeling in the vocal performance & lyrics is clearly felt in the solo as well. I love the fact that the song fakes a huge ending only to stop and get back to the heart of the matter
5/5

This I love.

It's very powerful, and emotional, and you can practically feel the emotion emanating from Axl.  It's one of the most intimate "artist/consumer" connections I've ever felt and Axl should be commended, IMHO, for putting himself out there like that.

It's not my favorite song on the album...I'm leaning toward Sorry for that...but I think it's the most powerful piece of music I've heard in a LONG time.  My wife listened to it...it actually made her cry.  I suspect you might see that reaction from a lot of people.

This is going to sound really gay, but this song nearly made me cry. It might just be the excitment from the album being out but at the moment, I think this is better than Estranged. Its a big call, especially for me, but this song is just amazing. I can't really describe the way I feel but I think you have an idea of what I'm talking about.

This is on par, the the greatest day of my life. The other being the time I partied with the boys in Adelaide until 7am.


 :peace:

I'm exactly in the same place when it comes to TIL.

Just listened few more times and I am enjoying it as much as nothing before... to me it is one of the best solos Finck ever did. If he is out of the band I guess both Axl and Finck will feel sad when playing/hearing solo part of this song ... but life goes on ...

This song and Sorry are the best songs GNR ever did. This album is better than any album GNR ever did. My period. It is... to me :) ...

v. ..

Its a masterpiece without a doubt! Its genius work the way Axl worked the song to grow anxiety to the listener

I don't know how anyone can say the solo is bad! I think the solo takes the song to a much higher place and it totally fits the song!

Along with "If The World" it's hands down the worst track on the album. The whole piano theme sounds like a variation of some old classic song I just don't remember right now. But it certainly sounds very familiar.

its o.k :-\ not what i expected from this song!

as stated before the lyrics are too predictable !! (why,cry,lie,die)

My wife is Korean, and it takes a while for her to understand English lyrics. She hates rock music, tends to dislike most western music, and thinks my fascination and excitement with GN'R is an amusement at best, and annoying at worst (our 4 months old daughter loves Appetite now :D ). That said, she recognises that this song is a masterpiece. She had the melody down after the first listen. She is hooked on the song and not only thinks it is amazing, but she reckons the track is so powerful that anybody can understand it without knowing what the lyrics are. This is the real hit on the album, and the one that will kick people in the balls no matter how old they are, no matter what their musical tastes are, and regardless of whether they have heard of GN'R before or not.

This is Your Song, Without You, Just the Way You Are, and any other classic rock ballad you care to name. It is a song your mothers wives and daughters are going love, and in 20 years time, it will probably be the song most people recognise from this album.

I like it and it's a brave song because it will be the one that ends up getting the most hate from detractors of the new GNR. Integral to the flow of the album.

From the first time I heard it (which was just a few hours ago, of course  ;)) I also thought it sounded like something that could have been in a musical...Phantom of the Opera, or something like that.  It's just a good song.  I like how it builds in intensity over multiple verses, has a nice solo, and then settles back down.

This song is fucking incredible ! jesus christ. Im knocked in shock at how good this song is. And the solo is fucking golden piece of beauty and im a finck hater. Where did this come from? They totally knew this was best song and kept it in a vault. This is awesome

This is the best song I have ever heard in my life, period.

Just listened to this song for the first time sitting at work.  Chills went down my spine.  I am not going to accomplish anything constructive today except for listening to this album.  Good lord.

Easily one of the saddest songs I've ever heard. Incredible. Simply incredible.

"This I Love"...this I love.

I am not ashamed to admit it - I got a little choked up and told my wife we need to give Axl a hug.

I don't know about you guys, but I feel honored that Axl would share something so deep and personal with the public.  You can feel his pain.  This must have been written after the breakup with Stephanie.  Notice that he's not had a "significant" relationship since then...sometimes, you only get one or two shots at true love.  

This song, like "Sorry", represents a very different kind of element to the cd and for that...it makes it that much more necessary.  While the rest of the songs on the album are different from each other...these two have a far different feel to them.  

I get the whole "it's too musical for me" or "sounds strange" or whatever...but that doesn't mean it's not lyrically and musically a good song.  

The chorus is definitely something else.  The song starts off soft and beautiful and then the emotions of anger come out and you just can feel all the emotions of the song as a whole...very well done.

What's odd is that in 2008, this song, while similar, still doesn't seem to have the feel or production in it that November Rain did or sounds like...

Also, is there any confirmation that this song was suppose to be used in the Robin Williams movie "What Dreams May Come"?  I heard this rumor a while ago and after listening to it...and seeing the movie a long time ago...I definitely could see it somewhat making sense in there...although the movie was a little more "quiet" and resourceful...so I'm not surprised it didn't get in there...

According to the rumor board Splat, the song was offered to be used in the movie, but apparently the director or producer was "a real pill" so it unfortunately never was.

One of the magazine reviews said this song sounds like something Meat Loaf would do. Now, I'd been looking forward to this song for years anyway, but as a lifelong ML fan (I'd say he and Axl were the two greatest living rock vocalists) I was almost literally crapping myself in anticipation....

Well, after my first listen to the album just now, I can say that somehow still, this song really managed to broadside me. After the more aggressive, in your face stuff this is a real knockout punch. Someone recently said of Roy Orbison "He used his rock n' roll songs to set up his ballads" and I wonder if this is true of C.D. - It's almost like the whole album leads up to this song, and in the context of the album, it will have a lot more impact than just listening to it on its own.

For fans of this song, I suggest heading to iTunes immediately and picking up Blind As A Bat by Meat Loaf - seriously, its it's aural brother.

This I Love - probably the greatest song Axl's ever written.

 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(  listening to it, fucker made me cry before the first minute was up  :no: LOVE it!  :love:

Seriously, this is the deepest, most emotional song I have ever heard in my life. You can just hear the pain in this man's voice. The music is so beautiful. Im speechless, words cant even describe how great this song is (the whole fucking album in general). I had tears welling up in my eyes, no lie.

Me too bro. That melody just makes the hairs on your neck rise.

Man... I loved it. But it kinda made me wanna slit my wrists, and I dunno if it's a good or a bad thing.

The tears came when I heard Prostitute.
 :-*

I have never posted on this board before but this song is too amesome to keep to myself. I love it

Fernando, I know you're reading this thread.
Tell Axl that this is the best song he's ever written.. PERIOD!!

I hope he is the one that will play the piano when they tour next year or so.

First time I heard it, I thought--Queen or Meat Loaf..it has that previously mentioned theatricality and over the top thing going on yet it is credible. Best song on the record.

this is the single most beautiful and inspiring song ever written.  every professional song writer or singer should stop what they're doing for a month and just listen to this song again and again.  it's like everything you love about broadway musicals mixed with everything you love about the new gnr line up. 

anyone who doesn't like this song is simply an idiot.  anyone who doesn't cry when they hear it is heartless.  my friend made so much fun of me when i played this in the car and i wanted to kick him out.

This song is heartfelt, genuine, and touching - it has all the makings of the next November Rain. This song is amazing but I'm sure most here agree with me. It may be very well written but I still much prefer the ballads from the band's heyday.

Please don't hate on me for my last sentence.  :nervous:

Beautifull song, great solo!   :beer:

2nd listen... I'm in love with this song. It's definitely one of the best songs I've ever heard.

This is the best song I have ever heard :'(

Aside from November Rain of course

My heart really goes out to Axl on this song.  People, this is the real heart in Axl Rose!

It just made my mom cry  :yes: she's crazy about gn'r ballads and she said this song > them all

From my 'review': "This I Love, while simple and very familiar sounding, may be Axl's greatest vocal showcase."

I love this song, I've been listening again, and again, on GnR MySpace...Slash fans - get back on the bus (with us), listen to this solo!!!  Since I don't have liner notes, I can only assume this is BBF singing with his guitar.  You can pick out the 'November Rain' similarities in the piano playing, almost as if playing NR gave birth to this...it will be interesting to hear how this song developed.

"If your Lucky" :'(

This song is my favorite.  Love  it.

Agreed with everything you say - though it's Robin on the guitar solo.

The solo is ROBIN FINCK.

I must say that I am surprised...perhaps he has picked up something along the way...now I certainly hope he is not 'out' - this is a great piece of work.

Axl's vocals on this song are stunning, the piano is beautiful, but the sappy lyrics are very emo-ish and downright pathetic...  Axl is still in a lot of pain.  The solo doesn't do the song justice, it just doesn't.  There was so much space to put down an epic solo.  Its not the worst solo, and I like it more than some of the Bumble solos, but the song could have been more if you ask me.  Its a good song, but nowhere near what some of you guys are making it out to be.  Seems repetitive and almost predictable.  This does sound like a score to a movie....  Like others have said, its not NR or Estranged level.  And that is okay, it doesn't have to be.  Axl is here on his "A-Game", but sometimes that alone isn't enough.  

4/5

Honestly, is there anyone here who doesn't like it?  Does it get better with repeated listens?  Because I've heard it once and thought it was one of the silliest GNR songs I've ever heard.  And I love the rest of the album.

Yes, me, its okay.  I want to Shake Axl and say, "Wake the fuck up, you are better than this, stop feeling sorry for yourself", but its his art and his expression, but he has turned into a real softy.  Since everyone has already claimed its the greatest ever I thought I was the one with the issue.  Sorry > This I Love.

I guess I was just shocked to come here and read 4 pages of how it was the greatest thing ever put to record.

Thank you for your honesty, there is an element to that song that can certainly produce that effect.

Yes, the only reason is that its the "Greatest song ever recorded" is because its new and Axl sang it.  After a few months that talk will die down and reality will hit.

No, I don't think so...............

Oh bull shit! Its great because it is great, your just pissed a certain soemone doesn't play on it.

There are those that think November Rain is the greatest GnR song, EVER.

There are those that think it's overproduced, grandiose, overblown, overindulgent SHIT and prefer WTTJ by a wide margin.

That's one of the things I LIKE about GnR...it's been pretty eclectic stuff.  YOUR favorite track might be someone else's shit sandwich.  Their favorite track might be your crap taster.  Doesn't make either of you right or wrong.  Again, I think that's one of the things that makes Axl such a talented artist.  You might not "connect" on this bit, but he might grab you by the balls with the next.

I prefer Sorry, too.  That's my favorite song on the album.  But this.....this is a piece of artistic expression that, to me, is so powerful and moving I can't help but be awed by it.  I think it's a GREAT song, too, don't get me wrong.  But I think at least part of my appreciation for it is in my appreciation for Axl having the balls to put himself out there, raw and naked for pretty much everyone to see, like he does in this song.  You may think that makes him "soft"...fair enough, this isnt' your cup of tea.  I just have to respect the man for taking that kind of chance.  For investing himself so heavily in it, and for letting many of the people listening to the song feel the pain and anguish that's so obvious in the song...not just the lyrics, but the music, too.  For setting himself up to be completely crucified for being "soft" or for putting together a song that isn't going to cater to what most people consider "the typical rock fan" (whether there really is such an animal or not....I doubt).

Axl deserves, IMHO, some major kudos for this song.  He might not get 'em...we'll see.  By the looks of this thread SO far, I'd say he has a fair shot at getting them.

Its a decent song, but Sorry ownes TIL.  This has nothing to do with what you think it does.  So stop that talk now.  CD and Better are both better than TIL as well.  Its not even the best ballad on THIS album, let alone past albums.

I call Bullshit.

You don't like it...fine.  Your preference.

But to question the motives of people that do?  That's just crap.  This album could sell 3 copies and I'd like this song.  Nobody could EVER hear this song but me, and I'd like it.  It could be by Elton John or George Micheal or the garage band that practices down my street and I'd think it was a great song. 

If it's not your cup of tea, say so, make your case, and move on.  But how about we can the clairvoyance, and stop telling people how "they're going to feel" about material in a few months.  You don't know them, and you certainly don't know me.....I don't know how you can assume to speak for me.

For YOU.

Fair enough.

Does November Rain need to be EVERYONE's favorite GnR song?  Or Estranged?  Or WTTJ?  Or SCOM? 

No.  You prefer the other stuff...fair enough.

Who are you to pick other people's favorites or to tell them what THEY need to prefer? 

I can certainly appreciate the honesty and risk taking aspect of the song.  Or the whole album for that matter.  But the TIL lyrics are so literal and overwrought.  I guess I just like a little more metaphor in my poetry.....personal preference.

I wonder if this song will be played live.

Doing so would probably take alot out of Axl emotionally.

Pilferk, I didn't attack you, but a lot of this is because the song is new, so its fresh and you look past other great works.  Plus it has an epic feel and the piano, which must mean its great.  Classics are determined over time and sometimes instantly.  I just know how were are as a fan base and at one time we hailed Madagascar the best new song and Axl sounded awesome.  So you are right, we all like songs for different reasons.  I just don't like seeing us throw words like "greatest ever" around this early.  Let the songs soak in and then make your official judgement.  I like This I Love, just not as much as 98% of the people in this thread.  

and SCOM isn't "literal and overwrought"????.....many would say those lyrics are sappy and cheap. ...not me of course, but just sayin.

I think I like both...a bit of this and a bit of that.

I think we get a LOT of metaphor from Axl...and certainly on this album. 

This is a little more forthright, to be sure...but I think the honesty that stems from it makes up for the lack of ability to "interpret" it.

Some art is meant to be impressionistic.....you interpret it and bring a lot of yourself into that interpretation. 

Some is meant to be literal.  THIS is literal, pretty much.  Straight out there.....

To me, it's like comparing "The Mona Lisa", which is very literal but still emotionally evocative, to something like  Portrait De Femme by Picasso, which leaves more to the viewer to interpret.  Both gorgeous pieces of art, but VERY different.

No, but you're making blanket assumptions and assertions.  As you point out: "Classics are determined over time".  How can you be so sure this WON'T be one?  Are you clairvoyant?  No.  You have good points, but you're making them very badly, and very confrontationally.  You reap what you sow.

In addition, YOU might NOT think it's the best GnR song of all time.  But someone else posting in this thread very well might.  I STILL think Coma is the best GnR song I've ever heard.  It's not a classic, by anyone's measure, but...to me, it's my absolute favorite piece of material.  Who, honestly, has the right to tell me otherwise.

All you can do in this thread and be honest is lend your opinion.  You can't tell everyone else what their opinion WILL be, and you certainly can't say with any certainty what's going to happen in 3, 6, or 12 months times.  You might, ultimately, be right....but you just as easily might not be.  To make the kinds of assertions you are, quite frankly, is somewhat insulting...and certainly stifles the discussion of the actual song.

This song is either love or hate. I first thought of Queen when I heard it. I am listening to it again but I am not sure if it is cheesy, silly, or good, or one of those songs that grows on you. It sounds like something a high school kid wrote his girlfriend when he got dumped or something out of an opera.

I will agree with one of the other posters that the album is good but also kind of depressing. The music is good but kind gets me down which is not usually the vibe I like to get from GNR.

This I love is beautiful. No 2 ways about it. It is rare we get to hear Axl just putting himself out there like this. Stripped down. From his vocals to his words, to the music and the fantastic solo. Beautiful.

Today in my class one guy that had heard the album already asked me if Axl had had a wife that died... now I know why he was asking that.
This is absolutely stunning... without a doubt, the best song in the entire album.

Good point.  I went about it in the wrong way probably.  And I do "like" the song......  We are all GNR fans and with in GNR some will like some stuff more than others.  +1 to Pilferk if I could give it. 

TIL may grow on me.  I agree with your points on the lyrics though.  I would have liked to see some more variation in the lyrical themes of the album rather than the "this person fucked me over" subject matter seen on most tracks.

I have no idea why (other than it is a great song) I cannot stop listening to this...makes some kind of connection in my head...god I wish I hadn't been called to work - I was going to sit here logged into Myspace and listen until I got bedsores.  I am going to have this song in my head all night.    :hihi:

Can't wait till Sunday, so I can listen on the way to work, as well.

hehe I think beneath this hard rock coverage we all might have, we all are some big romantic fellas...  ;)

TIL is a classic from the first listen. Wonderful song, very emotional. I would have cut out the first 10 seconds though...

 :hihi:  I think that's become obvious from reading this thread.  I got ditched recently by someone I really cared about, so I can relate to the content of TIL, even though it's not my favorite track.

This song could easily be on the next big movie, meaning like the next Titanic-esq themed movie. 

If he wants to totally ruin it, cheapen it and piss all over its context.

I can't stop talking about this song and listening to it! how can I go to work tomorrow for 10 hours without it??  :no:

Or open it up to share it with a larger audience. 

I love the song, it really gets to me. Axl's voice is amazing.

Can anyone figure out what he is saying on the last verse?    ".....? pride"?

Thanks

He doesn't have to shove his heart in people's hands - plenty of people are willing to take it as it is. Associating this song with some generic Hollywood love story would really kill it for me - though others probably feel differently.


And now it seems that I
Give up my ghost of pride
I'll never say goodbye

(from the CD booklet)

That's Axl on the piano right ?

Yup.

2nd favorite song (after Sorry); really great song.

These type of songs (Sorry; This I Love) could be potential nr.1 hits as far as I know something about music  :-\

Heard it about 5 times already. Amazing song. Should be the next single imo, with a good video it will put gnr at no.1 again

Genuine question - when was the last time a piano-led ballad was #1?

The spirit of Freddy Mercury and Queen are all over this song..it kicks serious ass...so does the whole fuckin album!!!!

Another great ballad which is amazingly executed. You can hear the raw emotion and I think that's what makes the song what it is. Brilliant.

Alright, so I know I'll get crucified for this, but after listening to this song numorous times, I couldn't help but feel like I had heard the chorus before.  

I'll preface this by saying this song has quickly become my favourite on the record, but the chorus does sound similar to the chorus in Lindsay Lohan's song "Rumous."  Don't believe me, go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Ld4YXlyGk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Ld4YXlyGk)

To get to the chorus, go to the 1:00 minute point (which, concidentally, is a few seconds short of where the chorus kicks in This I Love).  I think Lohan is singing in a lower key, but the structure of the melody is very similar.  Also, Lohan doesn't elevate the chorus like Axl does (ie, "I searched the universe...").

Now I'm not suggesting that the songs are the same or that that "Rumous" should be held in the same like as "This I Love," but there is a similarity in the first two lines of the chorus.

But much like how the openning riff to "Chinese Democracy" resembles that of "Rock You Like Hurrican" by the Scorpians, there are parallels between the chorus of Lohan's "Rumours" and "This I Love."

Again, this isn't me saying it's a bad song (this is in my top three and I have been listening to it constantly since they put it up on myspace).  

Cheers,

Andrew

First

What kind of self respecting GNR fan would listen to that shit?

Secondly

Axl wrote this song in 1993


Thanks anyway

Such a good fuckin song. What else can i say  :beer: 5/5

I friend of mine said when he first heard Chinese Democracy(the song), that its riff and the way it?s executed sounds like the theme from Beverly Hills 90210....Now he loves the song  :rofl:

In this song, Axl sounds like the singer of Mago de Oz, the spanish band. Can anyone agree? Specially in the song "Desde Mi Cielo".

very beautiful. a little cheesy, but i love it. the guitar solo is so loud! and long... :hihi:

Excellent Insight  : ok:

This is one of my fave songs ever and I don't wanna think about Lindsay Lohan of all people while listening. SOrry If I sounded like a dick though. :peace:

I totally wanna cry!!!!!! My god what a beutiful song.....!!  I dont think its like any other gnr ballad its just (as somone els wrote earlier) so fantasticly fresh!! OMG!!! :'(

This is the most mythical song of all and GnR fans must have thought they'd never get to hear it. The first few seconds suggest something
different is going to happen and still sounds like an out-of-place last minute thought. Once the lyrics start, its back to the original theme of the album,
unrequited love, which Axl  pulls off without sounding cheesy. As for the solo, this is one song that is crying out for Buckethead What Finck plays is ok, but this was the perfect opportunity to show what he could do and pull of an epic solo. I don't know I'm not too fond of the solo, but perhaps it will grow on me. Overall, a brilliant song, and its great that one song at least, didn't have loads of random instruments thrown over the top. Also, definitely one for the girls.

I imagine Axl sitting at a piano in a dark room with his hair teased up as much as it can be...This song is straight out of 1983 and I love it!

My god this song is mindblowing. So simple yet deep.

Descriptive words won't do any justice to This I Love.

Literally a breath-taking song. I cannot get over the emotion that comes across from this song. It is so warm and yet so sad all at once...a beautiful composition.
I love the rawness of it with Axl and the piano, i think the simplicity of the song adds much to it.

This i do love
 :beer:

I was looking forward to this song since it has been a song worked on by the orginial band. After hearing it, I have mixed feelings about the song. The lyrics are defintely emotional and great. I like the way Axl sings it. I also like the guitar solo. However, it  has too much of a Broadway feel to it.  The
Broadway feel just isn't my cup of tea. I'm going to rate this as a B-.

Sorry and This I love are the best songs on chinese democracy

I'll vouch for Sorry.  Bad ass tune, with so many lines that speak to me as has always been the case with Axl's work.

This I Love....beautiful song yes.  I just wish CD had a few more hard rockers on it.  But I remember the dispute between Axl and Slash back in the day for the new album was Slash wanted more rockers and Axl wanted more ballads.

I believe it now.

The harp in this song is just so fucking cool

The lyrics and Axl's soft voice are beautiful. At first I thought the music didn't quite match but now I think it compliments the message and the lyrics just perfectly.

This song is GORGEOUS in every sense of the word. Axl basically cuts himself and lets the world gather around to watch him bleed. Vintage Guns N' Roses and will forever be the song where Robin Finck once and for all earned his "Gunner" stripes IMHO. That solo is as beautiful and heartfelt as anything this band has EVER put out. PLEAAAAAASE come back rObIn!!! Great.... great... great.... GREAT FUCKING SONG. :drool:

This I Love...

it is the best song on this album.

The song that drew me in the most.

Thank God for letting Axl write this song.

It's such a great vocal. I'm so glad this is on the cd.

Word. The lyrics are just so.. ahh I don't know how to describe them.. sad.. beautiful..

Yes, the song is a masterpiece.

I was very much blown away by this song.

Listening to it takes me away from this world, it's just something special with it.

the song is amazing, the solo is ok............................ definitely not one of Fincks best. SOD and Better solos are above this one.

I am not a big fan of multiple bends............. the part after the bends is great, but I wish it was more hummable I guess the word is.

For me, it just come doesn't close to matching Axl's heartbreaking vocals.

They should have had Bucket do the solo, but whatever, Finck's solo is emotional as hell and works nicely

The thing with Finck's solo for me is, it doesn't take away from the song but it doesn't really elevate it either. I love guitar solos that take the song emotionally to an entirely different place. This solo just sort of fills time till Axl is ready to sing again........ It could've been epic with a Sorry like Solo.

Wha aa? Random instrument thrown in? Nice way to generalize, downplay and diminish what has been accomplished in Chinese Democracy. This has all been really well thought out. Everything fits and is perfectly layered. Get a better pair of headphones dude. This album is a masterpiece. Fink's solo is very emotional and it is beautiful. The solo needed the guitar to gently weep. Believe it.

That solo is actually amazing.

Yeah I hear you completely

It's like, Finck's solo is good.  I think a minute and a half Bucket masterpiece could've taken the song to an even higher level

I've been to a few GNR boards and the general consensus is Great amazing beautiful song but the solo is lacking.


thats what a huge majority think and I agree.

The song has so much power and emotion and frailty all wrapped into one song but the solo...... like i said, its not a terrible solo, its a good solo but not an all time great solo that would've made this song a top 3 GNR song of all time.

I of course can only speak for myself and what I've read from others.

All I know is, when I am listening, I get to a very emotional place inside and the solo for me is like meditating and having someone come up and smack u on the back. It just sort of knocks me out of my mood.

if you could marry a song, this one would be it! I just played it at our company's reception lmao  :love:

Sunday cant come soon enough. These reviews are amazing.

i honestly cant think of a better song. this one has it all. The evolution of the ballad. his lyrics are simple, almost childish, but it suits the subject matter becauae it lays out without any misunderstanding or vagueness. The solo is amazing (god, Robin'll be missed if he's out) and Axl's singing is as good as he's ever done.

with Sorry, and If the World i think these are the clear best tracks and show where he's going and his evolution as a musician

Sorry.... but COMPLETELY DISAGREE with you guys. : ok:

The simplicity of the Finck solo suits the "stripped down" feel of this song to a T. It's beautiful and the best instrumental performance on the album IMHO (with Buckethead's solo on TWAT a close 2nd). A throw back and nod to earlier GN'R eras. This is one song that I'm really glad that we don't have Buckethead or Bumblefoot wanking all over it (though their solos are fucking awesome on other tracks- and yes I know they're capable of playing mellow and with "feeling" too.). This song is like a delicate little flower that needs to be protected. Finck's solo perfectly captures that vibe IMHO. He was the right man for the job- and I have no reservation including this song on my GN'R top 10 and possibly top 5.

But as you said- to each their own! :beer:

The chorus, and the way it's delivered, is fucking amazing.  I've had it stuck in my head constantly since I first listened to the song the "right way"

So if she's somewhere near me
I hope to God she hears me
There's no one else that ever made me feel I'm so alive
I hoped she'd never leave me
Please God you must believe me
I've searched the universe and found myself within her eyes

His delivery is unbelievable.  The piano is like a cross between Freddie Mercury and Chopin

You know what, I've listened to the song twice since I posted, and I'm starting to agree with MaoAxl's post

Robin's solo is damn near perfect.  It is so raw and emotional and matches Axl's lyrics perfectly

HAHAHA... I actually find that many of Robin's solos are "growers". His work sometimes gets overlooked by many GN'R fans (myself included) because of all the incredible virtuosity of Buckethead, Bumblefoot, etc. BUT if you really go back and listen carefully- the shit Robin comes up with is a beautiful pairing with Axl's style. A very natural fit IMHO. I'm really impressed by Robin's work on this album.

Anyway, glad people are having such a great reaction to this truly delicately beautiful song! :peace: :peace:

The song is great,. .and the solo is fine.

They could of used something a bit bluesier or something from madagascar tone

great. song stil.l.

i wish this song would come out as a single so i could buy a copy and smack people who say "the album's too nine-inch-nails-y" in the face with it. :rant:

this is by far my favorite song on the album. hands down. i can't think of any better word to describe it than "beautiful"

I wonder if this could be about Stephanie Seymour? His regret of losing her or maybe someone else we don't even know about.

the solo is fucking awesome.  its emotional as fuck and probably the best on the album.

This song is the BIGGEST disappointment on the album. The chorus is great, but the lyrics in the verses just seem to float alongside the chorus. the lyrics are too cheesy but not subtle enough to make it work like on November Rain or Estranged. It's like Axl wrote the lyrics in about 5 minutes and never tweaked them in 5 years or whatever. He seriously thought those lyrics were good enough? :-X I thought he was a perfectionist...

You're certainly entitled to your opinion.... and I agree that the lyrics are rather simple. That said- they work phenomenally well for THAT reason IMHO. This song is like as if God granted you 4 minutes to talk to the long lost love of your life... and 4 minutes ONLY. What would you say? Lots of complicated imagery and creative open to interpretation allusions...  OR would you rip your heart out (as Axl does here IMHO) and hand it to her on a plate so that she would know for all time EXACTLY how you feel? That's what I love about this song and in contrast to the rest of the album (which is also great)... there are NO PRETENSIONS whatsoever (either musically or lyrically). It's extraordinary what Axl has chosen to share with the listener here IMHO....

If I had been in a box since 1993, I would swear that was Slash...I say that more as a credit to Robin than a nod to Slash, I am sure he wasn't thinking 'Slash' when he played it anyway - but that emotional bending, almost crying/singing guitar is something I only identified with Slash...I just didn't think Robin had it in him.

100000% agreed. Each time I hear it I can easily imagine Robin walking out of a white church somewhere in deserted New Mexico playing that soulful solo a la Slash in the "November Rain" video. I'll say it again- this track is VINTAGE Guns N' Roses. 5/5, 10/10, 100/100.... :drool:

I was going to ask about that, I read in a CD review about that, but I have my doubts, it's been almost two decades, the guy in the review almost tells axl, get over it...

At first listen I was thinking this was gonna be a cheesy love song but Axl's vocals, the beautiful piano and Finck's solo give this song alot more depth. The lyrics are just straight up, there's not too much clever, poetic writing going on but its simplicity here is strengthened by the vocals. Axl seems to be using his voice almost like an instrument on most songs in this album, he alters style and wails all over the place and even does a lot of na na na stuff! It works for me

my mom just emailed me that she played it to her 50 something co-workers and men & women alike were in goosebumps and one lady started bawling her eyes out!  :beer: go Axl lol

The biggest suprise on the album. Axl taking a risk.....I love it.

Superb vocal. Nobody else on earth sings like that!

it just keeps getting better and more personal with each listen
top tune

Verses are just o.k which is fine because the chorus hits even harder. Best chorus ever vocally? I think so.

The solo is quickly my favorite on the album.

Kind of reminds me of Marc Almond vocally, very clear and sung from the heart, love it.

This album goes from Marc Almond to Ramstine via Floyd, amazing stuff.

How could it be, that I've also visited all major GNR boards and the general consensus is ''amazing song with an out of this world, outstanding guitar solo''.

To be honest, I am not surprised you dont like the solo. You seem to have something personal against Robin. Predictable.

its not robins best solo,
like Better or SOD

But its a grower, and He does a good job with it.

This I love is just flat out a GREAT song, already my favorite. For me a instant classic on par with NR.

agree with this, the solo grows on me but SOD and Btr solos are better

The solo ain't bad but BH would have done something better to it. That's my opinion

the solo really grew on me....I think it is just right for the song.

'This I Love' is a masterpiece.  Nuff said. 

I could just imagine them playing this song live, and then when the solo comes up, Buckethead walks out and Bumblefoot both start playing the solo in exact correspondence, then when the drums kick in, they start playing it harmonically. Ajlajsdfasdlfjas I want it.

EVERYONE KEEP IN MIND THIS SONG HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1994.

anybody else hear like a noise (a double track that they forgot to erase for half a second at the beginning of the prase:

"but/BUT she holds/ holds her pain inside"

it is very annoying  :-[

I seriously went out and got a portable CD player so I can listen to this EVERYWHERE (the entire album really, but you know...)

;D

I went and got mine from the attic.

Not positive, but I'm pretty sure that's just the normal delay on his voice, it's just more noticeable in that particular spot.  You can hear it throughout the entire song if you listen closely though, there might even be 2-3 delay tracks, I'm not sure.

edit: After more listens, I could be wrong.  Not sure what that is.

i get the chills when i hear the song too. maybe its the below freezing temperature here in new york but this definitely is an exceptional song.

I?m listening to the song for the tenth time now I guess and still I just can?t stop crying.
Yeah I?m a woman but usually I don?t cry.

The song is INCREDIBLE. It reminds me SO MUCH of feelings that I thought I had lost so long ago. Guess they?re still alive. Don?t know if that?s a good thing or not. Well, maybe it?s good the way it is..

Thanks a lot Axl, you made me cry but you reminded me of my "lost dream" in such an INCREDIBLE way, I still just can?t believe anybody could have ever felt a similiar way. Whatever, nobody?s interested in that kind of stuff.

Back to the song - just GREAT!!!

Yeah u are right, thats why I gave robin tons of praise in Better and SOD's. ::)

how about knowing what u are talking about before commenting next time?

I said, the solo is good.......... its definitely not an all time classic and it certainly wouldn't rank anywhere near the top 10 GNR solos ever.

The solo would be good on a good song but This I Love is one of the best songs ever and the solo just doesn't measure up to the song.

It would be like having the So fine solo on NR.

Its a good solo for So Fine but it wouldn't have been for NR.



Its not anything against Robin. Joe Perry is considered one of the greatest guitarist ever and I can't sit through hardly any of his solos.

Don't know why so many people whining about the solo. Sometimes less is more, this is a simple and sad song, it doesn't need a big intricate solo to make it better. It sounds great to me, all of it.

I haven't had time to flip back through all the posts and figure out if this was said before or not...but who are we assuming this is about?

Everyone is assuming Stephanie Seymour I guess...but I don't know how much truth to that there is...was there anybody else? Could it be anybody else?

this is hands down the best song ive ever heard

Isnt it possible that after all these years he's still hung up on Erin? 

Most emotional and beautiful love song ever created. I thought The Bl.. Street of Dreams was "the sequel to the trilogy". But this is the one. Even the wind and the flute of NR are here.

Finck solo = :drool:

Clear to see GNR is on another level. Led Zeppellin, Queen.. know what I'm saying?


Am I wrong or, as an intro to NR, did Axl play it on piano, singing along a small part of the lyrics on the 2002 tour?

Personally, I think it's about another woman that we don't know about.  I don't understand why people assume we know every woman he's had in his life.  He disappeared for a long time!! And he was very private for alot of that time.  

Granted it very well could be about Erin or Stephanie.  But I'd say there's a good chance it's about someone that we know nothing about.

Fair point, although if this song was written in '94 like it's rumoured to have been, it probably would be about one of the two.

I don't have words enough to discribe my feelings for this song. After 1 day. Amazing.

I can honestly admit that I had tears in my eyes after less than 2 minutes into my first listen. Have listened to TIL probably 30 times today :D

Thank you Axl, you'll always be the special one!

5th finally found a song..... he can listen too, while he wears his lipstick and jewels.......... :love:


awesome song............damn


-wHisKey

OK OK

Ive been listening and I admit, thats a pretty god damn great solo.


I got the headphones on and I am hearing way more than I did previously. Blame AIM HAHAHA

The orchestration in the left ear during the final verse is fantastic. The nice little melody run, crushes whatever is left of your heart.

I don't know much about guitar because I don't play.  I can only say how it sounds to me.  I love it.  I really like Robin's solo work.  There is something about the way he plays or tunes his guitar or something that gives it a powerful sound (not sure how to describe it, but I'm sure you guys know what I am talking about).  I have noticed it ever since Rock in Rio 3 where he did some of the NR and SCOM solos. 

I think it is a good compliment to the extraordinary work BH does on this album.  It is nice to have great guitar work from people with different styles.  Don't get me wrong, I love Slash more than anyone, but I live the variety and different sounds on this album.

ive been thinking about it over the past few days as I have listened to this song...i think this might be the best song Axl has ever written...

yes this is the one song that i can't skip...

my personal fav, loving life more with this song, thank you Axl

it's so special

Hve to agree, his one really moves me. in a very positive way , ironic, when its such a haunting sad, tune, but I understand and feel it cause I've felt those emotions in my own life over people that I cared so much for , so KUDOS AXL and thanks for it!

the more i listen to this......it maybe tops November Rain. If they release it as a single it'll be huge, the one song on the album that's a guaranteed, surefire hit. I'm scared they're gonna fuck this up and release Street of Dreams as a single instead....

This song...WOW!!! Man, thats all...Fucking WOW!!!

I listened to this song and Im not too many to admit that it brought tears to my eyes...But there is a reason for this...

When I was 13 I fell in love with this girl who was the most awsome person I had ever met. Not only was she beautiful, she was also this perfect person on the inside. We spent nights together kissing and holding each other, and she taught me everything I know about kissing and love and just being 'tender' with someone special, but we had to keep it a secret or else we would notve been allowed to spend our nights together (parents would never have approved)...Unfortunately she was only visiting here and when she left it destroyed me.

The day she left this song couldve easily been playing because everything said in this song I can relate it to that day she left. I never got over her, even though Im married happily with a child and so is she, I will never get over her.

Now this song is amazing, and perfect as a ballad, but lyrically no words can describe what this song does to me. It makes me relive that horrible day every time I hear it, and I cant stop playing it.

Im sending it to 'that girl' as a way of letting her know what she meant, and will always mean to me.

My GOD when he sings, "So if she's somewhere near me, I hope to god she hears me..." and so on it just rips me apart.


Now THAT is a brilliant lyricist working with amazing lyrics.

I couldn't have said it better. Robin fucking owns with his solo in the song. It IS that good.

Same here, everybody is loving Robin's solo as far as I know.

Jarmo please tell Axl Rose to release this hit as a single. IT WOULD BOMB

IMHO, best song GNR, all periods

I have heard the song 4 o 5 times and cried like a baby every  time. It releases all the pain I have inside. I don't know if I could or even should listen to it more today. Axl thank you for being the brave amazing artist you are. Thank you

The solo is great. Robin is good technically, but does not let the technical aspect overshadow the feel he has, the emotion that comes out of his playing. B-Foot is a technical wizard ( as well as Bucket) but they could not pull of the solo with the raw emotion that Robin does.

I've changed my mind, even Catcher doesn't beat this. Not only is it the best Guns N' Roses song ever, it is also the most beautiful song ever written. Better than November Rain, better than Estranged, better than anything. This song showcases Axl's enormous talent better than any other song. Extremely moving song.

I'm amazed how popular this is.

I think its ok, I never really get an urge to play it though, and it certainly wouldnt make my top 10 Guns N Roses songs.

Its different and I admire it for that.

I found lyrics interesting... this song was rumored to be the part 3 of the UYI trilogy... part 2 is November and the lady dies at the end... and this song talks to god about a girl who has gone...

I agree w/ WAXLRICK, I've always wanted to hear Axl do a song like this..I always felt he could pull off more Elton  John/Billy Joel type songs.. First few sec. are questionable at 1st listen, but this song is great..

Not too bad - but the beginning is so girly

I'd be embarrased to be caught listening to it, a min or two in it picks up and its fine from there on

The intro makes me cringe....its like your listening to some boy band

Just got CD.  I love this too.  From Boston.  Just like I love Rocket Queen.  I wish Axl would respond to this.

I hope they release this as a single.

HAHAHA im such a douche


I just now realized this song has drums in it :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:



Only took 500 listens


WTF is wrong with me :rofl: :rofl:

Best song of the album. One of the best GnR songs ever written in my mind.

Fn amazing

I too have been wondering if This I Love is the mythical Part III.  I've also heard people say that there never was a Part III to the, (Part I) Don't Cry, (Part 2) November Rain, and (Part IV) Estranged....and that Estranged was just labeled Part IV because Axl and Stephanie broke up before the video to Estranged so it basically messed it up.  Anyone know?

I am gonna say that YES it is part III because if u listen to them in order *DAMN WHAT A GREAT IDEA* they all fit a great story.

this is by far the only song i wish wasnt on the album. it makes him sound like a stalker loser. and straight up the rhyming is awful! i didnt like scraped the first few times i heard it and now i love it but this one just wont grow on me.....i know everyone has different tastes, but i just dont get this one.

the chorus part to this song (the way Axl sings it with aggression) to how he sounds in the first verse
makes this song...

and how it ends is the perfect touch...

I agree. I adore this song. It should be in a movie or epic video!

I have to agree!

TOTALLY!!!  I am so glad you said that.  I have it on for my roomate.  I was totally emarased in the first 2, after that... it was somewhat better. 

I am not a fan at all...

TIL can, could only be created by one man -

It is perfection

Finally....finally.


All I can say is This I Love is hands down my favorite of the album.   The song is stunningly stark and reverent....it oozes emotion and pain.    The solo gives me goosebumps even now.   Only one man could have made this song in all it's melodrama and melody.   The most honest, soul-baring, genuine piece of music I've heard.

This is losing the one you love most encapsulated in song.  'Nuff Said.
 : ok:

this song to me, it the best proof of Axl's voice, it's PERFECT! I love this song. so far my favorite.

Best song on the album in my opinion. Very simple and memorable.

This song is so powerful and so deep... the raw emotion transmitted via Axl's vocals is amazing !!

this is quickly becoming one of my favorites on the album

People keep comparing this song to Andrew Lloyd Webber, but that seems a bit off to me.  It actually sounds astonishingly like some of the instrumental music from Bricusse and Wildhorne's JEKYLL & HYDE, which, coincidentally, Sebastian Bach starred in on Broadway.  Small world, eh?

Emotion takes the place of big production on this track.

Tear inducingly beautiful song. Just like November Rain and Estranged before it, this is Axl at his most open. I think we all have or have had someone in our life who we wished could hear these exact words, and that's the beauty of this song.

I agree 100%

Only, the girl I wish could hear these exact words WILL be hearing them soon.

This I love is one of best traks I heard from Guns and out there in general. Indeed so deep and emotional. However, a Belgium newspaper (De Morgen), which has a very good name for it's content and quality, only give the album a 2 on 6 or so and the song 'This I Love' is being described as 'one of the worst song ever'...  ???

I think This I Love could of been another good album closer if it was last in the tracklist...

Its a great song no doubt.

A great song none to less. One of my favourites. I'm realy impressed by the way how Axl sings this song.

To everyone who thinks that the wive's and girlfriends will love this song, my wife hates it.  And she loves all the older GnR and some of the newer stuff.  But she can't stand how is voice sounds in the beginning.  And I have to agree.  His voice tone is nothing like patience or November Rain.  He sounds out of key half the time.  And before anybody gets all defensive.  I saw Gnr in 01, 02, and 06.  And I thought 06 Axl sounded the best.  I know C.D. is musically different than the old stuff, but I thought he would still be able to sing like he used to.  BTW, Sorry is my favorite track on C.D. , and TIL will never be anything like Estranged or November Rain, not even in the same stratosphere.  We all are the diehards, the general public will not like the majority of the ballads on this record.

Its on my list of songs, with Don't Cry to be played at my funeral, I am not in a hurry mind you...

I want "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole played at mine. That and "Life is Beautiful" by Sixx:AM.

I think this song will become a new classic, the first impression I got was "woooa Axl's voice is great and the heart he puts into it it's magnificent" I really hope this song goes in the concerts  : ok:

It is MAJESTIC 8)

Listening to this song now, love it as always.

So glad it didn't leak out.

Honestly, I would an entire album with this kind of production.

The song is perfect. The solo is a little sharp, but fits I think. I have NO complaints in the end.

The best song on this CD. Such a masterpiece. Please God let it be a single. It is untouchable.

Love the smooth guitars in the middle of the song. Awesome.

Well said.

my favorite song from the albom !

Robin's solo is stunning, sadly I think it's another reason why this song won't be played live.

Listen to some of BBF's work - no reason this guy can't improve on Robins solo - let alone just 'copy' it.  4tus and Ron can handle the guitar duties if they need to...but, hopefully there will be 3 when the tour begins.

I am more concerned how the songs with 4 + 5 layers of guitar will sound live.

I think Ron is more than capable of playing this solo, but noone can recreate Robin's soul.

I think Pitman will have a backup plan for the dual layered songs : ok: :hihi:

The solo is probably the musical highlight of the album for me.    Its fucking perfect for the song.

As for playing it live, I don't know it seems like it might be a bit of a hard song for Axl to do live because of how heavy the song is emotionally. 

i love this song.  i picture a dark stadium with axl and his piano under a spotlight with a smoky haze surrounding it.  awesome!

The first two minutes of this song are so stirring...I can't explain how beautiful it is. Chicks would go crazy for this.

Then...a guitar solo?

I would have much rather preferred both the guitar and drums out of this song, and just let it be a simple piano driven number, with more orchestral arrangements. Axl's on top of his game vocally here, though.

A Guns N' Roses classic, but with the unnecessary guitar solo, it will be hard for Top 40 stations to put this on their playlist.

I could see Axl playing this song on the AMA's, MTV Awards, or some event like that.  I think it would be awesome. 

And people think Street of Dreams is the November Rain...but I think this is...  Anybody else agree?

Beautiful, haunting, epic, perfect, stunning, a fucking masterpiece. It sends chills down my spine EVERY time I listen to it. Makes me want to fall in love with him. He sounds so sad and his vocals are so haunting.

It was the song where I said to myself "it was worth the wait"!

Man this song is magic. I love the vocals on this piece. Very operatic in the way Axl delivers the vocal line.  A+

P.S.The guitar solo is sublime. It's not November Rain get over it. The way the guitar solo is laid over the melody is perfect. :drool:

This I Love ..................... Grammy 2009 ............There I said it !!!!

Surprisingly for me (I'm an old timer),  I have been listenening to Riad and Shacklers. Those songs rock, they are so tight. Cant stop listenening to them.

This album &%$^in rocks. If any one thinks otherwise they need their head examined, I know a few good neurologists !!!!

Is it me or there is very little time between tracks and they basically just play into one another? I love it, no time to breath and the next track is in your face.

Axl I know your reading these posts. Thank you !!! You &%$^in  did it man !!!! Congrats !!!!

I agree that this is the best song on the albumn.  I loved it within 30 seconds of the first time i heard it. 

As for the "unneccessary" guitar solo...  That shit is key.  And that's the problem with today's music i think.  the lack of Bluesy solos.  i LOVE this whole fuckin albumn. 


IT IS EVERYTHING I EXPECTED.

Now This I Love!

My dad's no young guy...
He's in his mid-seventies...
It blew him away.

Huge opera fan...
Said the song "is BEAUTIFUL"
Wants to hear again.

Splash

/Mike

I like the guitar solo, I just don't like how long it is. Finck does a good job, but to be completely honest, this song feels like it needs Fortus playing some lead. He doesn't get any fucking spotlight in this album. It's quite sad, because I was almost certain it was his solo on If the World, it sounded so much like his playing during RiR Lisbon.

My guess would be that it's about his mother.

the solo has grown on me..

the song's so beatiful, the last part is just.. *sighs*

Wow, the love is still pouring in for this song.  After several listens, I have to say it's not as annoying as when I first heard it.  But I can't see how so many of you think it's the best track on CD. 

Yeah I feel the same way... Before i got CD, everyone was saying how this is the best song on the album and the best of the unheard songs and all that. I listened to the cd straight through to get the whole affect, and after I heard 'Sorry' I was so amazed that i had this smile on my face like 'wow and everyone is saying that This I Love is the best new track cant wait'. Then I heard This I Love and was like what am I missing....Maybe I just read into the hype too much or something I dont know. Its a good track, just was expecting more.

I sent the song to a friend of mine.... he is one of those people that want a reunion, but dont hate axl and  havent really heard anything new from the new guns.

I just sent it to him and he replied:

"It is awesome."

"Is the album out?"

-I said yes, I just bought it-

"Im going to buy it tomorrow at the virgin store."

(he pauses for a second, like he is still listening to the song again and says:)

"Better yet Im going to go and buy it right now !!"
 ;D

This song makes non believers see the light :peace:

Found this. It's an early piano demo of Estranged. First 20 seconds or so seem to be part of This I Love. Guessing that the song has been worked on in some form since at least 1990.

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=NLpbijqEg4U&feature=related

This I Love  :love:

this is what i got to say about This I Love:
My favorite vocal from Axl - Axl's vocals are gorgeous... perfect even
powerful & vulnerable. forlorn & hopeful... succinct & beautifully detailed
subtle & instense... both precariously & perfectly balanced...

the piano  and the orchestration... just gorgeous

Robin's solo  :love: 
Robin's guitar sings... cries out with emotion that reaches inside me searing, burning, soaring - it cuts into me, enters me, stirs my insides - deeply touching... simultaneously making me aware of a 'void' and somehow filling it with pure hot white sound 

This I Love (and Better) particularly showcase the beautiful and powerful chemistry between Axl and Robin (specifically)

(http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/87a36573137888f49e006826c8b5550eead358fe.jpg)
This I Love

This song is one of my favorites on the album.

The only possible flaw i can point out, that kinda annoys me, is the guitar work during the chorus right after the solo. The lead part just doesnt work with the melody of the chorus and just serves to make that whole section too messy.

this song is fucking EPIC

its such a vaginal song but i don't care i still love it. Its my second favorite song on the album and deffinatly in the top 5 best songs ever in my opinion

:peace:

 :rofl: Seriously. No disrespect or nothin'.

absolutely beautiful!! anybody got the lyrics?

Buy the album! They're in the booklet!

I don't know if it arrived already in Chile, I'll find out tomorrow  :hihi: :beer:

This song got me misty-eyed.

The vocals are amazing and flawless, as they are all over the album.
The solo was great, however I wouldn't mind it a bit heavier or the song getting heavier towards the end.

Anyway, still beautiful.
Makes a girl wish someone wrote it for her.  ;D

What, you wish that you had totally destroyed someone's heart? :P

lol yeah i'm seriouse. Its a Great song and i love it but its such a chick song. its gonna be the song that pulls in newer teenaged girls into the fan base and i can TOTALLY see that song being played at a concert with all the girls and D going AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH and all the dudes going awww what the fuck. As for me, i'm some where in the middle, the guy that puts his arm around his date and some stranger with lighters in hand


.........that reminds me, say jarmo, can you make a smiley like that where the lil guy is like waving a lighter? gracious ;D

Sounds like a few of the girls I had the... ahem... "pleasure" of dating. :no:

Just MY opinion..... I think the song is a little boring and a little monotenous.
I am suprised it is the most popular song from the album on HTGH.

for sure my favorite song on the album.  Sounds something that would belong in the Illusions.  Was this song scrapped from that album because Axl thought it wasn't finished?  Anyway it sounds like its from that era and quite different than any of the other ballads on Chinese Democracy.

I disagree with your opinion of the song- which, of course, is cool. : ok:

That said- to answer your question- I think its popularity is largely explainable by the fact that in contrast to rest of the album (which is amazing IMHO)- it's the one track that really sounds like classic "Guns N' Roses" (Illusion era at least). Axl's vocals are direct and endearingly sincere and Robin's solo rather than being a blast of virtuosity or pro-tools is lathered in Slash's left-over Jack Daniels. Just an absolutely gorgeous and nostalgic track for so many of us. A real gift from Axl to change up pace on an album so precise and painstakingly arranged and throw the long-time fans a track like that on track 13. I was floored the first time I heard the song- in fact I couldn't even finish it the first time through I was so overcome. Hope that helps. Anyway- just my view of things. :smoking:

First of all, the best song of GN'R's history. A few days ago I could say that "Estranged" was the biggest song but today...my point of view totally changed

I would like to listen this baby played live but I think that's quite impossible, I see Axl very commited with his feelings here. I don't think this is easy for him to play live.
This is our reward for those who stayed loyal through this years.


You need big balls to sing and communicate something like this. Axl have it.

If listening this song you don't feel anything, you're made of stone.

I love everything about this song, probably top5 GNR ever

the solo gave me goosebumps before :)

 It sounds like something right out of a musical lol. It's OK, not a big fan tho.

Not a big deal, but my point is a girl who breaks a guy's heart (intentionaly or not) would rather have him writing a beautiful song about it than being an ass trying to hurt her back.
That's about how it works I guess.  :P

Then again, if that guy happens to front a world famous rock band, then I'd argue that the song writing could be far worse than, say, him destroying all this shit she left at his place after the breakup.

are we sure this song is about stephanie?

Beautiful song, can't get enough of it. The orchestration reminded me a bit of X Japan, with the strings and the harp.

And Robin's solo is amazing, complements the song perfectly.

One last note; it sounds alot like 'younger Axl' on this song if you know what I mean. His voice has changed a bit over the years especially in comparison to other songs on the album, but this one reminds me of classic Axl

Architecturally, this song is the equivalent of the palace at Versailles - lush, lavish and luxurious in sound and melody. 

The histrionic lyrics are over the top but intended to be just so. It took me a few listens, but I like it.

the simplicity of the lyrics and the way Axl sings them make the song sound so impressive

this is the classiest song on the album.

I can't get this song away from my soul. It's such a touching song in every way. The lyrics are so great.

The harp is stunning and the guitar and solo rivet your spine

please Axl... perform this song at the grammy's ...
so good!

Again I find myself listening to that INCREDIBLY AMAZING song over and over again.
I can?t get enough of it, the more I listen to it the more I love it. It?s like a drug, I?m addicted to that song. I love most of the album but that song is something so very special I just can?t put it into words.

I listen to all kinds of music and I like each of my favourite songs in its own special way. Life is diversity to me though Guns and Aerosmith hold a VERY special place in my heart. But of all the songs I have listened to in my whole life, NO ONE impressed me like this one. It?s pure heart and soul caught in a song, which is VERY RARE. Waiting all those years was worth it just for that one song. At least for me.

I know that I will NEVER get tired of it and that I will love it in 20 years from now.

Thank you Axl, thank you so much for this song!!!!

love, lostdream

This I Love proves that old adage to still be very true:  Sometimes less is more.

I love the Slash-esque solo..This must be B-Foot..As he said he felt some songs sounded to robotic and he put a little blues/dirt in to give them the GN'R sound..

That was Robin Finck playing that particular solo. The whole album has a lot of blues in it. Mostly from Finck and Thal.

buy the album and read the song credits and shit and you'll see who played what : ok:

My mistake, the credits do list the solo as Robin..The main point I was trying to make was how the solo has the old GN'R sound, yet it sounds natural and not forced....

Youtube video of a piano cover of This I Love

everyone should watch it, its brilliant to say the least


http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=i6y0sK2vzd0

wow that was awesome!

Sweet piano cover!!!

This song is great.. i wasn't completely sold on it at first but man this is Axl letting it all out.

I think it's kind of a farewell to that era of his life too.. i just felt that while listening to it.

where can i found lyrics for this great song?

Buy the cd. You'll find 13 more great songs...  : ok:

Thanks for posting this, I really enjoyed watching a great pianist play one of my (new) all-time favorites.

In Serbia cd will be realised late in december.
My friend from france bought two copies for me,and they are on the way :peace:

very cool cover of the song, that chick is good...

I wouldn't worry about album sales #'s UNTIL "This I Love" comes out as a single and goes nowhere...

This song will be HUGE if GN'R/Axl put it out as a single. All of my friends who are general rock fans and casual GN'R fans (of the old band) have ALL immediately gravitated to this song as the best on the album. It screams "Classic Guns N' Roses" (Illusions era at least) to them... and I imagine to a good deal many more people... like those millions out there that first got into the band after the "November Rain" video...

And now I don?t know why
She wouldn?t say goodbye
But then it seems that I
Had seen it in her eyes
And it might not be wise
I?d still have to try
With all the love I have inside
I can?t deny

I just can?t let it die
Cause her heart?s just like mine
And she holds her pain inside
So if you ask me why
She wouldn?t say goodbye
I know somewhere inside
There is a special light
Still shining bright
And even on the darkest night
She can?t deny

So if she?s somewhere near me
I hope to God she hears me
There?s no one else could ever make me feel
I?m so alive
I hoped she?d never leave me
Please God you must believe me
I?ve searched the universe and found myself
Within? her eyes

No matter how I try
They say it?s all a lie
So what?s the use of my
Confessions to a crime
Of passions that won?t die
In my heaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaart

So if she?s somewhere near me
I hope to God she hears me
There?s no one else could ever make me feel
I?m so alive
I hoped she?d never leave me
Please God you must believe me
I?ve searched the universe and found myself
Within? her eyes

Guitar Solo

So if she?s somewhere near me
I hope to God she hears me
There?s no one else could ever make me feel
I?m so alive
I hoped she?d never leave me
Please God you must believe me
I?ve searched the universe and found myself
Within? her eyes

And now I don?t know why
She wouldn?t say goodbye
It just might be that I
Had seen it in her eyes
And now it seems that I
Gave up my ghost of pride
I?ll never say goodbye aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaeeeeye

Yes, this is a great song indeed... It's actually my second favorite behind better, but that's because I love better. There is so much going on in that song.

But this I love, is much more simple, and thats part of the reason it's so good.  :peace:

Great song. Really takes a lot of guts to open yourself and reveal yourself to the world like this song does.

I can't listen to this song without tearing up.
 :love:

I like this song. It has a theatrical feel in it and would never had thought that Axl would open up the scars on his heart to tell us all what is going on under the scar.
Did anyone notice that the melody of Axls vocals sounds somewhat similiar to the guitar-lead-section of Master of Puppets from Metallica?
(Maybe it's just me.)  : ok: :peace:

Really? 

I mean, I love the album, but This I Love is by far my least favorite song.  I don't hate it, but it is nowhere near as good as Sorry or Scraped.  Just thought I'd offer a different opinion...no offense if you love the song.  I'm just not feeling it...

Axl sounds too feminine in the chorus, like his voice doesn't have any power at all. Very annoying. Otherwise the song is ok, I guess. I'd prefer his UYI era voice over the clean squeel though.

yeah, you can hear that clean squeel in Street Of Dreams also...  ::)... people will always complain. This I Love is song that sounds Axl wanted it to not like he now has problems with voice and it can not sound different...

I don't have any problems with the vocals--in fact I think Axl sounds better than ever on the album.  This I Love, in my opinion, just sounds like it's from Sweeney Todd and the lyrics are a bit too cheesy.  I don't know...I like the song, but it is definitely not one of my favorites...

I totally agree.  Do you know that HTGTH members have voted it their favorite song off CD?  :confused:

if no one votes it I will. as i can't decide my fav off cd. too many beautiful songs.

For real mate. There's so many good ones, they're all great. I dislike choosing.

I agree. I really don't understand everyones love of this song. People love ballads I guess no matter how bad the lyrics are.

the lyrics are fucking amazing, if you've ever found true love then got heartbroken, you can feel every word

I don't get the love affair with this song either... I can listen to it and enjoy it, but I'm not sure where all of these "stunning" and "breathtaking" comments are coming from.  I also find it really bizarre that a lot of people agree this would be a huge hit if released as a single... it would crash and burn right out of the gates as a single.

I disagree.

Aside from us Gn'R fans, I can see soccer moms and people who have never even heard of Gn'R eating this tune up.

Soccer moms make huge hits out of Bon Jovi singles, but I think this is too different... anyone who hasn't heard of GN'R but likes this kind of music knows that radio and TV is the LAST place to find it.  Even if people enjoyed it, I couldn't see it having any sort of legs.

I just can't picture it, this is an 'album' song through and through IMO. 

I just started to appreciate this song.  I only listened to it once or twice before, but only half listening, and I usually skipped it before.   I finally realized how great it is.   I really like the piano and guitar with the vocals and the solo is really cool.  It's probably the most tasteful song on the album.  This and Catcher really got me into Fink and Bumblefoot. 

This song was voted the best song off cd, so it's fair to say that the ones who don't like This I Love are very outnumbered.

This song is awesome. Liked it the first time I heard it.

I'm not sure if this would be such a great choice as a single, not sure how well mainstream radio would react to this, but only time will tell. I don't make predictions or pretend to know the truth like some of the other users on this board.  ::)

agreed...the first time I heard this song was at the NYC listening party and I was blown away....it is my favorite song off the of "CD".... I have said it before, in my opinion this might be the best song Axl has written(that we have heard of course)...It is right up there with "November Rain", "Estranged", etc... This is the type of song that should make people feel foolish for mentioning Slash, Duff or any reunion nonsense....actually I think the whole album pretty much makes reunion talk sound foolish, but this song especially... : ok:

The song is a pretty song, but it's not even in my top 5 from the album.  In fact it probably ranks down at the bottom.  I don't know why, I want to love it, I just don't.  It's a great piece of work, just not one I connect with I guess.

The same can be said for CITR, which is my least favorite song on the album.

 :love: Great song! :yes:

This song NEEDS to be in the TWILIGHT movie sequel!

Alot of my friends think the song is too soft ? I disagree ! what do you guy's think ?

I think it's way too visceral to be considered soft, but I guess the headbanging crowd may think otherwise.

Gawd ! please no !!!!

A lot of people don't get this song, calling it soft or whatever. The truth is the song hits an emotional thread most are not ready to venture into. The song is a masterpiece, barnone.  It has every element within the top and tail to be a hit, and is the most dramatic over the top song Axl has ever written. The emotional content is super heavy, not cheesy like stated before. If you don't get it fine, say you don't get it, most won't for several listens.  Your mind won't allow you to get it until you're heart is ready.  Then you'll be ballin' like a baby. :crying:

3 weeks later... and STILL my favorite song on the album.

It's absolutely beautiful.

I love the "I'll never say good-bye" ending... sometimes you go through a break-up and everyone hovers over you (with the best of intentions) and tells you- "You've GOT to move on man-" or "Forget her- she was a bitch-" or whatever... and it just doesn't work for you because you still love the woman- and ACTING like these people want you to is nothing more than a cheap charade ("ghost of pride"). Axl may have discovered something very therapeutic here- i.e. actually it's best just to acknowledge the love in your heart for that person rather than killing it (afterall what good ever comes from killing something as beautiful as love?) and try to move on in your life notwithstanding that love. More authentic. Just my take anyway- and "This I Love" is DEFINITELY right up there with "Don't Cry", "November Rain", "Estranged" in my book- in fact it's neck-and-neck with "Estranged" as my favorite of the set. : ok:

For the love of Axl and all things holy, NO!

Amazing! Beautiful! Heart on his sleeve vulnerability. Anyone who has been in love with someone who doesn't love him or her back can relate to the simple beauty and child-like truth of this song. The torture of unrequited love. Or lost love (death or divorce)

The most prolific and truthful line:
"I can?t deny

I just can?t let it die
Cause her heart?s just like mine
And she holds her pain inside"

It is amazing the rage and angst and sorrow that comes through his voice as he cracks it and raises his smooth vocals into his primal scream trying to release years of repressed pain and depression. It is the sound of a heart that never got over a girl and has spent many years alone as it tried to "lie to itself" by being with another girl or lover, but always felt alone and empty, even when in her arms. He couldn't stop thinking about her, even when in her arms. The lump in his heart, throat, and chest that won't go away and the knot in his stomach. So he probably put on a fake smile and went on lying to his heart, but his heart yearned for the love it just couldn't forget.

Axl is fuckin genius, a redneck Shakespeare.

Can't praise this song enought, tears in my eyes almost everytime

This is my favorite track on the album.

I had been waiting for it since I seen the movie "What Dreams May Come".. back around the year 2000. I think if you watch/understand the movie, you'll have a greater appreciation for this song. The movie is about a man, who dies/goes to heaven, and is united with his two children.. but his wife is no where to be found. She goes to hell, because she takes her own life.... Robin Williams character can not deal with the love of his life in hell, so he decides he is going to go rescue her.. he'll only be able to if she is indeed, his twin soul. If she is not, she won't be able to recognize him, and he'll be doomed to eternal life in hell with her....  and thus, the plot of the movie, rent it and enjoy.....

So, knowing how deep the movie was, and knowing "This I love" was being considered for the soundtrack, I always assumed it would be a pretty emotional song.. and is it ever... perfect mood, perfect lyrics, the desperation in Axl's voice gives a glimpse into at times what I am sure has been a tortured soul... his own, I am so happy he put this on the record.

Can you believe he held this track back for 10 years?

Amazing.

The more I listen the more I LOVE IT...might be the best song on the album. 

Why not? THIS I LOVE is a great romantic song and TWILIGHT is a great romantic movie. Besides the movie had made over $150 million dollars, and it could introduce GNR to a whole new fanbase! It's all about the Benjamins baby!

It 's in the top on mi list too..  same level as November rain.. It gets me every single time

I agree! I may like THIS I LOVE even more than NOVEMBER RAIN and I didn't think that was possible!

No, TIL is the best song ever created.

I have been listening to Robin's solo a lot. I am not sure if anyone here is a fan of Pink Floyd, but it reminds me a little bit of David Gilmour's work on the song "Marooned" from The Division Bell. This solo really grew on me, great job Robin!

That's some people's opinion.  For me, it's the 14th best song on Chinese Democracy.

This I Love was the first song I heard of CD (No, I didn't hear Catcher or any of the others. And I have entirely no regrets about it either, the album as a whole is magnificent and that's what I wanted, the whole damned thing), and I found myself humming along...it was a bit like someone had found my lonesome little wailing heart's melody and done something with it. 

Worth waiting for, imho.

The song should stand on it's own, because linking it to something like that would suck for people like me, who after i saw the movie turned to the girl i was with and said "please don't ever make me watch that again."
Vampires that don't die in the light, but sparkle? Teenage true love... even though one of them is hundreds of years old?
Not what i want to think of when i hear this beautiful GNR song.




Definitely... there's something really telling in that. As soon as you hear the song, it's as if you've always known it. I think that's a good indication that something is classic and timeless. Even if you don't like this song, i can't imagine anyone saying it's not quality.

One of the best GnR songs, but the guitar solo in some parts is cringe worthy.

The people who say it's soft and stuff.....give them the Einstein award with a mullet attached to it. Wtf do you expect, death metal guitars in the background?

And it is not that soft if you listen, the structure itself is very heavy, including the singing in the chorus.

SCOM is soft (got a best metal song award LOL), Patience is soft.

The whole song is cringeworthy and it's not just that it's soft, it's corny, one-dimensional and just plain bad imo.  I'm not a mullet-head I just really dislike this song.

Not sure this has been asked. If so an Axl response like "answered" will be fine.

I had some thoughts regarding the line "Ghost of Pride" but, was interested what some of you take from it. Gave up my ghost of pride. Having to much pride in a relationship is living without compromise from your partner. Not giving in at all and being really stubborn. Ghost of pride. Like your pride died and you are living with that truth and the consequences of it. Gave up my ghost of pride means what exactly? You got your pride back? Or is it more of a Yoda kind of statement. Like what he told Anakin in Episode 3. Yoda said something like "First you must learn to let go of the thing you fear most of losing."

Anyway, I am having some trouble with this Ghost of pride line. It is probably something more straightforward. What does it mean? Thoughts?

I think he means he's given up what little pride he had left by laying his feelings out so plainly in the song.  Like his pride was already pretty much dead....just a ghost of it left.  "She" more or less killed it when she left, unexpectedly.   And putting himself out there, like he does in TIL, has killed even that.

Just MHO.

Alright I think you are much closer in your thinking. That really must be it. That sounds right. Nice, thank you.

edit: Hmmm, just thinking it over again, doesn't being a ghost already mean death has occurred? So, how can you give up what little pride is left if its already gone?

for instance, a ghost of a smile means a trace of a smile.


you sometimes leave your friend/gf/ bf before they leave them to secure your pride.

edit i meant to say 'before they leave you '

i think the ghost of pride is like an act and he gave it up by laying out his emotions, telling the whole world about his feelings that are still there for this person

and since she didn't say goodbye, he's thinking "if i sing this song and letting my heart out and my ghost of pride go..  maybe she'll come back, well at least she knows i want her back.. and someday.... maybe"

cause he has fucking sen it in her eyes you know :no:

I can relate to that, i'm thinking about giving up my ghost of pride :-\

IMO it's among the absolute best songs on CD but it's probably the one i've listened to the least, beacause it's so emotionally heavy to listen to it

"Ghost o' Pride":
I took it as Ghost of Christmas Past....Pride may no longer be there but it lingers in his conciousness..Perhpas he may regain it..

yup, Ghost o' Pride showed Scrooge the day when he let belle leave him.

anyway I find the words sorta contrastive to those of 'don't cry'.

I like the song. Corny, maybe, but that's true with 99pct of any pop lyrics? Even really, really good lyricists write corny love songs. Can't be helped. Isn't Sweet Child sort of a ridiculous song? For me, the real emotion of the singing, the simple beauty of the piano, the orchestration etc. help the song transcend the inherent 'corniness' of pop love song lyrics.

But I can certainly see how for some it would be a total miss. It's an extreme song, in its way, that for me, goes beyond taste--literary taste, stylistic taste etc. This isn't the stuff I listen to, generally, but the first time I heard it, I started crying.

Really surprised that someone who is a fan of Axl's wouldn't like this song. It is such a vocal showcase for Axl. At first listen, when it started, I was like  :o. It was so much like a Disney Lion King kind of song (not a negative thing by any means mind you (that movie breaks me down emotionally every time)). But, as the song went, there was no denying it is beautiful. When some fools at mygnrforum were talking shit about the solo, I defended it relentlessly. The song is great. Maybe some people just don't know what it is like to really experience love and then to lose it. Some have never really loved or have been loved and made a true connection with another human being. I feel nothing but pity for these people. But, it would explain not feeling TIL.

Or you have experienced love and just aren't a big fan of this song  ::)

Yea that song gets to me to man

and yea Sweet Child is my favorate love song its just so right man

Ditto.  I got dumped last week by my girlfriend of over 2 years and I loved her intensely; I can honestly say I'd much, much, much rather listen to songs like Don't Cry, Estranged or Street Of Dreams than this drivel!

o come on its the gost of GRN past
Sweet Child is a great song

myfriend its never to late theres a lot of chicks out there u just gota keep at it

One great fuckin song I must say.
//See ya in Sweden this summer !!!!!!!!!! :beer:

My mom digs this tune a lot.

I liked this on first listen because it was a nice, simple contrast to the heavily produced sound of the rest of the album...

However, it wore thin pretty quickly. Soft songs are great but this one just doesn't engage me. Too much of a 'musical' sound to it, the lyrics are a touch too corny and I agree with whoever it was earlier who siad parts of the solo really don't hold up.

Ultimately, just doesn't do it for me.

I think the solo is very good. The instrumental part in the middle is great. I love how much Axl has let these songs have breathing room and showcase how good this band really is.

Yeah?  Well, you're ugly.

Only kidding, chief (kind of), it's just that I am intensely into this song.  The "in my heaaaaart" line delivers every time and then the first guitar note right after that as he goes into the chorus... absolute fucking killer.
 

Hey, I've got no problem if other people love it, it just isn't his best work according to my tastes...

I quite like the song, really nice simplistic intimate opening.  But I think the solo is very contrived.  All those bends and overly long held high notes just get annoying, and also, it peaks too early.  Trying to hard to put emotion into it, i imagine.

But good song, very nice piano and nice backgrounds instrumentation (harp?). 

Loved the song the first couple of weeks............... If I were more depressed and in a different period of my life, It would have a deeper impact on me.

Right now, I just sort of burned out on it

The solo still sticks out like a sore thumb. It isn't as bad as I originally panned it but I usually make it up to the solo and then hit back on the CD.


Some of the most heartfelt singing I have heard from Axl though.

It is so interesting to me that Axl didn't want this song on the album...it must have been written as some sort of personal therapy by Axl.  I am really thankful that the band convinced him to put it in there, because I don't think Axl has ever laid himself out for us like this.  Simple, raw, and heartfelt.  Somewhat depressing and a solo that people either love or hate...but I don't think anyone could call this anything other than 'artistic expression of raw emotion'...appreciate it for that...hell, I don't much care for the Mona Lisa - but it is a very important piece of art.

REALLY? Axl didn't want this song on the albumn? Interesting that it's my most favorite! ;)

He mentioned it in the context of doing a solo album:

"I didn?t make a solo record. A solo record would be completely different than this and probably much more instrumental. I made a Guns record with the right people who were the only people who really wanted to help me try, were qualified and capable while enduring the public abuse for years . The songs were chosen by everyone involved. I didn?t want to do This I love in anyway shape or form and Robin and Caram insisted gaining Tommy?s and the others support."

Unlike all the other songs, he was the only one credited for TIL  (Rose) vs. the usual (Rose, Tobias, etc) combo.  So he didn't want to include it without the support of the rest of the band.


I love the melody of the guitar solo, it sticks in my head long after the album is over.

Wow. Thanks for posting, I don't know how I missed that!

Dammit Annie, you didn't read your Dexter's homework!   :hihi:
The song is just absolutely heartwrenchingly beautiful.  Much love to Patti Hood...I just listened to the 51 minute interview with her.  She sounds like a lovely woman. (harpist on TIL)

God I love this song!  :crying:  :love: 

I have to admit that I was so obsessed with reading the TWILIGHT  books that I didn't get a chance to read it all until today! I gave  a copy of CHINESE DEMOCRACY to my friend's daughter who is as obsessed with TWILIGHT as I am. She totally agreed that THIS I LOVE could be Edward's theme song! She is now set to become a fan of GNR-THE NEXT GENERATION! I listen to THIS I LOVE at least 10 times a day!

I also listened to the Patti Hood interview very, very sweet and humble person. Wish her the best. She really added to the song even if its kind of buried. It fits that way.
And I agree with the fact that this song should not be swept under the rug. It needs to be heard by the masses. and a movie soundtrack would be great for it!!!

have yet to hear the fkn harp :hihi:

Willow, have you read any of the TWILIGHT books? I really think if THIS I LOVE were on the soundtrack to the TWILIGHT movie sequel, it could be nominated for an ACADEMY AWARD. I think THIS I LOVE has become my all-time favorite song!

oh yeah there it is, thanks : ok:

I think we will hear more music like this i love now that Axl has stated he is more into scores.this i love is somewhat of a score. i'm looking forward to hearing more epics from axl.they are so moving.

No I haven't read them. Not really my kind of thing. But as huge at the books and stuff are. That might very well be the way to promote it.



It's there if you listen. and when you hear it it really makes the song. I am no musican and I miss a lot but after listening to Patti's interview I went and heard it right away. Very soft in the back round.
Oh sorry CheapJon I didn't see your last post.

Loved the song when I first heard it and I still do... but I just don't find myself listening to it as much these days.

I guess I just have to be in the mood for it.

Even though i told you the movie turned me off (and i haven't read the books), you're right, it would definitely be nominated. This song is a serious masterpiece.

That makes me so happy! :love:

Twighlight sequal is probably at least 2 years away....I think it was written for Annakin Skywalkers feelings for Padoine..Just kidding..

Actually.. it will be out in NOv of 09.....

I must say the first time I've heard 'TIL' I was really stunned and it had touched me very deep. Imho it's by far GnR's most emotional song and I would even dare to say this is Axl's musical peak so far. It is one of those very rare songs that can bring tears into one's eyes even if you don't have any personal connection to the song.
It's my favorite song on CD but because it is such a heavy emotional song it is not something I can listen to on every random moment.
I personnaly think 'This I Love' is wonderful and brilliant. It is heart warming and it chills to the bone at the same time.

I just read a really annoying post on another message board about Stephanie Seymour being the inspiration for TIL . Anyway, I want to go into further detail on my interpretation as to why THIS I LOVE could be Edward Cullen's theme song from the TWILIGHT books. Edward Cullen is a 100 year old vampire who is in the body of a totally gorgeous 17 year old. He and his family hunt animals and not people. Edward does not want to be  a monster, and he is able to coexist with humans. In addition to being a vampire Edward can read minds. One day he meets a normal human girl named BELLA. The scent of her blood is like his own personal heroine. He tries to make himself hate Bella because he wants her blood so much and he can't read her mind. Against all odds Edward and Bella fall in love. Hanging out with vampires does place Bella's life in danger, but she loves Edward so much that she doesn't care. In the 2nd novel Edward leaves Bella because he thinks he is bad for her. SHE REFUSES TO SAY GOODBYE, and he abandons her in the woods. She is devastated and is a zombie for 3 months. She becomes good friends with a werewolf.  Edward is having a hard time staying away from her and he is going to return to her. His psychic sister Alice, has a vision of Bella jumping off a cliff. Alice and Edward assume Bella has committed suicide, when in fact she was cliff jumping for the adrenaline rush.  Edward is so devastated that he goes to Italy to have these power hungry ancient vampires kill him. Alice and Bella manage to connect, and they go to Italy to stop Edward. Bella saves Edward with seconds to spare. They realize that THEY HAVE TO BE TOGETHER! Edward realizes that he was wrong to leave Bella, that he should have trusted the love in her eyes, and that HE'LL NEVER SAY GOODBYE. That is my interpretation of THIS I LOVE.

It's there a few times in the solo, indeed after the drums kick in

Yes, I'm with Annie on this one. Sooooo annoying!

This I Love and Stephanie Seymore should NOT appear in the same sentence!  :rant:

The song is not about her!

Or Erin, if that is your second guess.  ::)

What really anoyed me was that there was an article in a British newspaper that said it was about her. They don't know that, and it will give the media more BS to spread.

Well, that British newspaper has its facts wrong!

She is so insignificant in Axl's life...

Who wrote that BS article?

Now if the the Bristish paper had any inkling of the real story - then, that would be some scoop!  :hihi:

I know this is old news, but Robins solo in ths song is dynamite.  That is true Robin style right there,  I hope he says with the band, just to play this solo live

^ Indeed.

IMO, the solo is the one most alike his stage sound, with the hot tone and sharp overdrive. Love it. :)

Wonder when this solo was recorded...

^2nd indeed

robin is the one that pushed the song to the album isn't he?
reportedly as of jan 2006 13 songs were slated for the album. wonder which one is the 14th song.

it`s most likely either catcher in the rye or shackler`s revenge

oh guess you're right. axl saiid he wasn't sure about catcher at the trunk show then.

or Riad?

Anyway This i Love is a fucking amazing song!

It's just further proof that Axl's one of those artists who doesn't pretend.

The emotions are delivered with just a piano and his vocals and then further enhanced when the rest of the instruments kick in.


It's kinda simplistic, but that's all that's needed to paint the picture.





/jarmo

cant think of a song that is more real than this one... It sounds like this song wanted to be made, and not that Axl wanted to make it

The most beautiful song ever created.....simple as that...............

The soundtrack to everyone's love life.

This has to be one of the best posts that i have ever read on this board! ;)

The song was written shortly after the break-up in 1993. It is about her....

Then who is this song about?

He writes about stuff so other people can relate to it.
Maybe it's not even about anything personal to him, or who knows. I don't think it's about someone actually.

A lot of the things in the song can be symbols and metafores.

I think it's about getting old/damaging your look.
While the passion and love won't die it gets harder to connect and express as you get older, disgusting and uglier. :nervous:

"She" is our own and his personification (inner and outer) of himself/ourself, which we hold very dear to us. :friendly:

When it's gone, it's over and we feel less alive. My take on it :peace:

Interesting take but I do believe this song especially is very personal and is definitely about someone.

I first thought it was about his mother but the lines "you make me feel so alive" etc doesn't fit.

I think it could be about everything you want, its an open art AFAIK.

Riad was on every setlist in 2006.

I was annoyed with the 11 pages of discussion on the topic and some of the ignorant comments that were made.

was it completed then? What about the lyrics?

I read that a writer can't write about a girl/boy with whom they've just broken off. it takes some time.

We have no idea when the song was finished. We do know that it was written (started) soon after the break up in 1993. I would also be interested in knowing the answer to your good question...

so what?
There were talks about the song not being on Chinese Democracy

But yet you think it's more logical that Axl wrote the song 15 years in advance for a fictional vampire?

I don't know who he wrote it for. It's just a beautiful song. I discovered the TWILIGHT series one week after CHINESE DEMOCRACY came out, and the song just fits the character IMO. AXL himself said that he wanted people to make their own interpretations of the ballads. The thread at mygnr just really annoyed me.

correct.

Q: And which women influenced the writing of the new ballades.


A: Ha! We?ll get to these a bit later as they?re a bit more complicated than a simple answer of a few names but most are composites and became much more about the song than particular individuals.
Also again I?d like people to have a chance to develop their own relationship with the material a bit. Not dodging as most of these answers will come out over time.

http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=1974

I like norways approach. not that I agree that it's a new Picture of Dorian Gray.

the heroin wouldn't say goodbye but she seems to have left him and yet she can still be near him. ???

Maybe she's departed. Or maybe she's his muse. (His love for music)

Maybe about love itself, not for music?

By who? A supposed Dizzy interview from 2004?

Dont remember.. and it doesent matter anyway..

I wonder if This i Love will be on the future setlist... I can imagine this song is amazing live...

Having a GNR song in a vampire movie is not that much of a stretch. About 15 years ago, GNR did a cover of SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL in INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE. :hihi:

i can imagine this tune is also great for ballet or figure skating. 

oh my god, that would be amazing.  some figureskater could probably fall, but still take home the gold just by skating to this amazing song.  the judges would be too busy fighting their tears to notice any technical errors.

Christ I hope you are taking the piss.

Please tell me you are joking???

I love the song

But you are joking right?
Sorry if im mistaken......just sometimes sits hard to tell on here....there are a few real psychos that mean this shit.

A great song though, not  a style id normally like , but a beautiful song nonetheless.

Am I on the wrong board?  You really want a GNR song (even this pansy one) associated with ballet or figure skating?  I know some of you really love this song and we can agree to disagree about that.  But some of you have lost all ability for rational thought over it.

fyi... figure skaters are amazing atheletes and artists.  i'm sorry that doesn't fit into your narrow view of the world or what kind of music axl rose makes, but if you look around i think you'll see you are in the extreme minority of haters who diss what's quickly become one of the greatest and most touching ballads of ALL TIME.  period.

I said in the 'best ballad on CD' thread that I prefer the music of TIL than the vocal part, which I've never really thought about a GNR song before. I'd like to hear an instrumental version of this song. That said, I guess I can see why so many people like this song, it's just not one of my personal favourites of the album.

And take this bizarre argument to the figure-skating thread. :P

no need for a pigeon hole. 
It's rational enough to picture performers of michelle qwan's or silvie guillem's caliber making spins and spirals to this song.

GNR and figure skating don't go together. Period.  The extreme minority you speak of is the people who post on this board praising the song.  I've played it for other GNR fans (don't post on message boards) and they turn up their nose about 10 seconds in.  Tell me how (other than your own opinion) is this "quickly becoming one of the greatest and most touching ballads of ALL TIME."  Evidence?

donno about "one of the greatest and most touching ballads of ALL TIME." bit
but people that like watching figureskating and would love the song aren't the minority in the real world.

OK, I can see your point there.  Maybe that's my problem with the song.

I think there's a certain classical feel about this song and maybe that is being a hurdle for you, lunsjail.

So, you're in favor of limiting the song to a certain audience?

Excuse Axl for taking his music to a whole new level. 

Last time I checked, figure skaters were free to use whatever piece of music they wanted.  I would be thrilled to hear a GN'R song at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Keep in mind that Axl would have to approve of any such use of his song.  Maybe that would be a good question for dexter in his next possible discussion.

And...we've officially run this figure skating thing into the ground now.   :-X

Not really.  I think they would have to even pay him if they used that song.

You sir, have run out of material.

Good day.

There's this wiki thing, that pissed me a bit: "After her relationship with Beatty, she was involved with Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N' Roses. She appeared in two music videos by Guns N' Roses: "Don't Cry" and "November Rain". "This I Love", from the album Chinese Democracy was also written for her.[citation needed] ". It's about Mrs Stephanie. Can someone fix it on wikipedia, while there's no proof?

Guys, come on... When I first heared it, I thought, it was Ricky Martin's song...
 The song defenitly has its potential. I'm not saying that it's not emotional, or that the true emotions aren't behind it, but I'm very conserned about, how those feelings were used! The lyrics are cheese themselves plus they rhyme like in some childish poem. But I would live with that. BUT! This, plus strings, plus this plastic like sound of the piano, that's sugar put on ice with fruits with cream.

The solos' great. I think the best on the album(specialy right before and right after the drums kicks in). I'm saying that, because it has its given time, it has its sense and looks like Robin Finck realy understood what this song is about and gave his best to it. Since I first heared all of the tracks one by one, I havn't changed my mind. It has something to say.

To be honest I like Ricky Martin in my own way, and in this case I'm fine with the lyrics, because Axl's singing them (it's like in many cases on this album), but saying that this is the best song ever...even saying that this is the best Guns song...come on! Maybe some frozen yogurt first.

I can't believe they posted that on wikipedia. I absolutely adore TIL. It has to be my all time favorite song., but you are entitled to your opininon Moon MAX. I don't find it cheesy, just hauntingly romantic!

i guess your problem is getting solved.
i sorta understood your rejection when i saw a ballroom dance to the song at youtube.  :nervous:
But that's ok. the song is loved widely.
and ballet or ice skating rocks when done by the best.

the new gnr needs the publicity...any exposure is welcomed

It's a great song. The worst thing an artist can do is limit himself and it's worse when people try to put others in boxes. There's nothing wrong with a little diversity.

I registered on a couple of TWILIGHT websites. I encourgaged people to buy CHINESE DEMOCRACY and listen to THIS I LOVE. My screenname is ILOVEAXLROSE. I think the TWILIGHT crowd will really love this song!

Let us know how that goes.

you can tell them GNR already used a song for interview with the vampire  : ok:

I think alot of people think the song is too soft.  Well what do you expect ? I really like the song and I don't care what people say about This I Love is a top track on Chinese Democracy.  Robin's solo is earth shattering.

i think the problem is your friends.  they sound like very close-minded people who probably can't appreciate beautiful and intelligent music like classical music or this i love.  it's like if you had a great steak but served it to someone without a tongue.  dont case axl's pearls before swine.

and once and for all:  this i love would make the ultimate olympic figure skating/ice dancing song.  if you disagree you either don't know figure skating or you don't know guns n' roses.

Figure Skating? We've gone to far with this discussion..As suggested, can you imagine asking Axl if he would allow TIL to appear during Figure Skating? That would make a funny SNL skit, and they need them..

certainly.  That is easier than imagining this song to appear during a football game. 
i don't get the skate phobia.  ???

anyways
the intro reminds me of the swan of tuonela. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6B5_l-yUFsE
i can sorta see annie's vampire association.
vampires never die or get old, yes?  mortals eternally yearn for eternity. 

I seriously think if you could find a way to promote this song to the TWILIGHT crowd that it would be a huge hit. MTV talks about TWILIGHT all the time. It would also make a really cool video. Young people deserve much better music than the crap that is out there. And it is the young people these days who buy the music. And by young I mean kids under 22. There was a post at mygnr about TIL that said over 40 musicians aren't played on TOP 40 stations, and that TIL was too soft for hard rock stations. I just think TIL is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs of all time and people deserve to hear it! To quote one of my favorite characters from the movie CLUELESS, " Have we learned nothing from Madonna?" It's OK for artists to reinvent themselves if they choose to do so. Also when you go into HOT TOPIC you can find TWILIGHT merchandise near GNR merchandise. You can also find cute goth Hello Kitty stuff too! :hihi:

This I Love will be the song that carries the album. I was driving the other night and turned it up. And it hit me how great this song really is. WHo on the radio has a song like this out right now? No one. Its a modern day ballad. But Unique.

I firmly believe that if the band has their act together when/if they release this as a single down the road this will be the song that breaks the wall. By that I mean this band better have a video lined up with its release as well.

This song can be played on 3 of the countrys biggest and most influential radio stations here in NY.

Krock
Q104.3(havnt been able to play new gnr yet)
and the wildcard....

Z100

If this song hits on those last 2 stations then this album will sky rocket in sales.


I really hope they release this song as a single. We as a fanbase are gonna bombard q104 and z100 if they do.

I agree with you here... i can definitely see that.


I know a lot of people don't like this song, but it does seem to always get a reaction. I think Chinese Democracy is a much better album for having included it. To me, although a lot of the songs are very unique (if the world and sorry in particular), it's Better and This I Love that immediately stand out. These are memorable songs that it's hard to ignore even on one listen.

And while I think if This I Love is released as a single it will be too long from now to run with Annie's Twilight idea, i do think that this is the song that will benefit most from a quality video. It can be marketed well if done right.

the guitar solo is brilliant, I just love this song. so emotional. everybody I know likes this song. I introduce the song to them as: man you won't believe it but axl in has a better song than November Rain in the new record,  nobody believes me till they hear it...

I totally agree! This song may not be a rocker but lets face it. Its the ballads that have been getting rock bands noticed all these years. This song could really get this cd rolling in a big way!! Thats why I am the idiot that started the the thread at that other board to get people to request it on the radio. Of course I got mostly negitave comments. People can get shit played on the radio still, if they fight for it. So I still think we should be contacting stations esp. top 40 type stations. This song can compete with that shit they are playing. Hell people are starving for music like this!

1. Cost  of all 4 TWILIGHT saga books $45.
2. Cost of TWILIGHT movie soundtrack $13.
3. Slash's annoyance at the possibility of a beautiful new GNR song being associated with a chick flick:PRICELESS!

Women and girls fall in love with Edward Cullen because he is so romantic. I remember reading an article about an interview with BETA where she talks about how romantic Axl is when he is really in love. I found an old copy of PEOPLE magazine the other day. Inside was the review of CHINESE DEMOCRACY. When I turned the page, on the other side was a review of the TWILIGHT soundtrack. It was just a strange little synchronicity.

Wow, yeah, magic's in the air

cos both are immortal. Or maybe they were released synchronously....


totally. altho for now I'd rather get better aired first.

save your enthusiasm for down the road. lets wait and see if they release the song as a single first. Let Better run its course and then we will see when/if they chose TIL as the next single or down the road.

But when they do, we have to do our best to push this song. Especially with q104.3 and Z100. The album will soar thru the roof. Trust me

after seeing "Twilight" this would absolutley have been perfect in that movie.


Surely GNR know that this is the "ONE" single that could really elevate CD.

I completely agree.It would have been perfect. So perfect.  They have to know.

You never really know for sure!The TWILIGHT movie did come out 2 days before CHINESE DEMOCRACY and they both rocked my world! TIL fits NEW MOON even better than TWILIGHT. If Mickey Rourke wins the Oscar he will most definitely thank Axl again, and that would be the perfect time to approach the movie studio!

This is definitely a song that could have an epic video and really bring GNR to the forefront.

I hope they do release this as the ballad and not SOD or something else.

I just can't believe that you guys are talking this seriously. I don't want to fight or get you offended, but I seriously hope, that this song will never be reliesed as a single or appear in any movie. It's nice to have such song, such different song on the album, but let's leave it this way.

I am saying if they do release a ballad, I feel this is the best ballad not named "Sorry" but I'm not sure u can call Sorry a ballad.


Have This I love  with a Don't Cry type video. it would be golden.

I don't get the above post regarding not releasing it as a single.  I understand not associating it with the Twilight movie, or whatever, but "leave it this way?"  What?  Why not release one of the best songs on the album as a single?  It's a great idea, and Gn'R has always been best known for the ballad/ballad-ey type songs.

Edit: Post above D's, I mean

Same post at the same time OWNED!


Yeah I agree, This for me has the most potential as a single.

hardcore will like it, the kids will like it, the girls will love it and the soccer moms would eat this shit up.

Exactly!  I think people will be stunned when they hear it.  It's not like November Rain wasn't totally unique when it came out, or Stairway to Heaven for that matter.

Why don't you want one of the greatest love songs of all time to not get any recognition? And like I said before, if this song were featured in a movie, I think Axl would be nominated for an Academy Award.

i can't even begin to express what this song has done for my personal growth & relationship. i've been with the same girl now for years and have always wanted to find the perfect song that i could claim to be "ours".  when i heard this song for the first time, i felt as if axl had written this song specifically for me to give to her. i've always been the type of guy who's had difficulties in expressing his feelings - and crying certainly wasnt something that i felt comfortable doing. especially in front of Mona (thats her name).

anyway, for months, prior to the album's release, we were going through alot of personal problems. the problems escalated to such an extent that we began discussing breaking up. she's been telling me for years that she wished i could be more open & expressive when it comes to my feelings. i wont get into all the details, but we were about as close to a split as one could come. a couple days after the album release, i had her over to the house. i made us a really nice candle lit dinner and had the album playing pretty low in the background. after dinner, i asked her to come and sit on the couch with me, mentioning that there was a song that i wanted her to hear. even though it was only her first listen, i could immediately tell the impact this song had on her. she had this amazingly sincere - almost lost -  look in her eyes. before the song had even ended, i noticed a tear begin to run down her cheek. without going into too much more detail, we sat on that couch embraced for what seemed to be hours. that was the first time i had ever cried in front of her. i honestly believe if it wasn't for this song, we wouldn't be together now. thank you more than you know, axl.

Thats a great story. Thanks for sharing.

Estranged over the last 15 years has got me through all sorts of heartbreaks and depressions.

I even coined it my "estranged" mood when I gotta run put that song on.

TIL I can see having that impact on others.

If I were in a different less happy situation, that would absolutely be my favorite song.

That is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

That is great.  I hope Axl can somehow read this so he can get an example of deeply his music can affect people.

Ali

Me too.

me three.  that was truly inspirational!  i just might have to try that on this one girl that i really like!

I love the power of music. This is why I can't get threw a day without it.

great story man

Here's what I mean. Let's call it for now good/bad politics for the name of Guns N' Roses. What I mean here, is that reliesing it as a single and/or putting it on the soundtrack of such teen, pop movie as Twilight is, it would be bad politics for the name and legacy of the band and Axl himselfe as he is the frontman and trademark of the band. I don't remember the song's name, but I'm sure that all of you Twilight fans are familiar with the one that's promoting the movie now. Would you like to see Axl Rose a 46 year old guy, that has a lot more experience, that wrote TIL, probably(!) based on what he went through and that kind of personal stuff, next to the song I mentioned?
Again, my opinion - that would be bad politics.

Cheers

OK, I understand.  I thought you were referring to releasing the song as a single at all, not just against having it associated with the movie.

I haven't seen the movie Twilight, and I really have no opinion on whether it's any good or not, but the reputation of the movie is not exactly what I would expect to be associated with Gn'R either.  My perception of it is that it's a movie for pre-teen girls to get excited about.   Sort of like the Jonas Brothers, or the Backstreet Boys.  Maybe that perception is incorrect, but I don't think I'm alone in that perception, and I can't say I really think it's a good fit for Gn'R based on that perception.

In any case, it doesn't really matter, the movie is out, I'm sure the soundtrack is out, and Gn'R isn't on it!

In the movie,even though the main character Edward looks 17 he is actually close to 90. I liked the songs on the TWILIGHT soundtrack. I also love Elton John's work on THE LION KING. THE TWILGHT saga and TIL will forever be intertwined in my heart no matter what happens. I see it as the triumph of true love . I can also understand your point. I am just so ln love with TIL.And I have been talking about the TWILIGHT sequel NEW MOON. In relation to good and bad politics for GNR, anything that would annoy SLASH would be priceless. As to the movie being aimed at preteen girls, they are just part of the audience. I saw more adults and teenagers when I went to the movie theater. And these same girls have boyfriends who could then be introduced to the darker side of GNR.

The song is brilliant we all agree.  Different question---------------Would you want to see Axl playing the piano during the song, or have Dizzy on the piano while Axl sings and moves around on stage ?

A story about a 90 year old dude who falls in love with a 17 year old girl...  :no:

 ;)



I would definitely like to see Axl on piano... there's something that always stuck in my memory about the old NR performances when i first saw Axl at the piano, and it's a very powerful stage setup. However, more than that i would like him to do whatever makes it easier for him to nail the vocals, because i think if his vocals are strong then a performance of this song would be amazing. He could lay down in his pajamas if he wants.

I would love to see Axl on the piano just like in November Rain!

Ditto.

I concur wholeheartedly.

Axl needs to be on the piano for live versions of This I Love and Catcher in the Rye.  :hihi:

it might be a little too dificult for axl to play this i love live.  just imagine all the emotions that would be swirling inside his heart when he performed that song.  he might get choked up, or even cry live on stage.  that would surely make for a memorable, once in a lifetime concert, but i don't know if axl would want to do that.

I think Axl could handle playing this live. He's not a sissy.

Didn't Patti Hood also say there was some talk of her performing with the band in the future?

That would pwn.

i would love to see 'this i love' replace one of the "old" ballads in the setlist. (ex. SCOM, NR)

i don't think there would be a dry eye in the house. well, this at least stands true for me anyway. i've been listening to the song daily for almost 2 months now and i still can't listen to it all the way through without balling my eyes out.

I love this song, but it doesn't make me cry. Probably because it's so intertwined with TWILIGHT for me.ANd I listen to this song over and over again. It would be cool to hear mostly new material on the next tour!

I know what you mean, I just love this song so so much. I'd love to see it replace November Rain.

I didn't think it was possible that i could love a song more than NOVEMBER RAIN but I do and it is THIS I LOVE!

^^^ I know. It's just so beautiful. I never thought I'd find another song with as much passion as November Rain, but this has even MORE!

You are so right! It just makes you feel things so deeply!

Its superb!, it fits so well being followed by Prostitute.  I keep skipping to 'This I love'-'Prostitiute' Couldnt ask for a better end to 2008's best album......

When I get in the car I like listen to TIL a few times, then Madagascar, CITR and Better. I will usually hit repeat for TIL at least 2 times. When I listen to CD at home I tend to listen in order, then repeat Madagascar and TIL.

got gigantic goose bumps when the solo just kicked in, this song is holy

same with the last verse

That is awesome.  I'm the same way, except I usually add If The World, Sorry, and Scraped into the mix.  TIL always gets the most listens though.

The vocal part just after the solo is just incredible, just listened to it again  :drool:

One of the best songs ever

I agree its a good song ! but not better than Nov Rain.  Robin's guitar solo is pretty damn good.

I love the guitar solo too. It's brilliant. So full of passion.

I prefer it to November Rain

Ok. I just attended a TWILIGHT convention that was held at a hotel right next to the ALLSTATE ARENa in Rosemont where I last saw GNR in November of 2006. I was able to give out copies of Chinese Democracy to three of the actors from the film and to the people who run the TWILIGHT LEXICON website. I can be very intense when i am passionate about something, and I told them all that TIL could be Edward Cullen's theme song in NEW MOON and that it is OSCAR worthy! They all seemed excited to listen to it, and Ashley Greene said the producers ask for their input on what music makes the soundtrack! Ashley places Alice Cullen and Peter Facinelli plays Carlisle Cullen.  It was really cool to share my love of TIL with people who were involved with one of my all time favorite movies!

just wondering , how old are you?

Im wondering whether GNR may appeal to Twilight audience.

THIS SONG will appeal to the TWILIGHT crowd. Most Twilight fans are female and there are tweens, teens and adults. At least I am trying to promote the CD, which is more than I can say for  Universal/Interscope. I met alot of really nice people and they were all open to listening to TIL even thought they weren't GNR fans at this time. TIL could change all of that. As for my age, people have told me that I look like this French actress named Emmanuelle Beart, and we are the same age. TIL is a deeply moving and passionate song that will be a huge commercial success if handled correctly.The one thing TWILIGHT fans and GNR fans have in common is that they are DIEHARDS. If Robert Pattinson had been at this convention I would have had a greater chance of being trampled than at a GNR concert in the middle of a riot!

And if you are into the mystery of Vampires,

the Twilight crowd may also find the GN'R link to the book/film 'Interview With The Vampire' interesting.

(though the rating is MA)!!


BTW, there is some beautiful harp on that soundtrack too!



I purchased Twilight the other day, out of interest. (Since Annie has been raving about it so much)!  :) Thanks.

I hope you like it. I really think that Robert Pattinson aka Edward will like TIL.

This song is begging to be a spring/summer radio hit.

It's the most accessible song on the record imo, and has the best chance
for a huge impact this year.

I hope G n R's management are on the same page, and promote the hell out of this song.

It needs a video, huge radio promotion, and possibly a summer blockbuster movie tie in.

Don't do this song wrong!

I really can't see this being a single at all.

Undeniably it's a great song, but could you really imagine it being played on the radios? I certainly couldn't.

It almost sounds like a song from a musical... It woudn't be deemed 'edgey' enough for most rock stations...

The fact that it doesnt sound like a typical rock ballad is all the reason why it should be the next single...or the first "ballad" single. I rather them take a chance with TIL rather than releasing SOD. SOD is very good but too safe. They need to take chances. And this is the perfect song to take a chance with. They have nothing to lose. Plus this song can be played on 3 Major stations here in NY.

KRock,q104.3 and cough cough...z100

if it hits album sales will skyrocket....especially with the latter 2 stations.

lean to matty's opinion.
however I can see it being played on the radios that are not rock stations. It would take the right moment and the right spot.


well done annie.

you're one of the few people whose actions speak louder than others words.  : ok:

Hmm, Ill see the movie, and hope its not a teeny bopper movie. wouldnt like to see TIL in a teeny bopper movie

Yeah but in fairness SOD could be played on those 3 stations too. Personally i hope they both get released. I'd like to see 5 singles released. Maybe 6  :hihi:

Yea SOD will def be played on Krock and q104.3 but I dont see it on z100

I think SOD will do well on q104.3 because of its older audience. SOD will be ok on Krock but I think TIL is the only cross over track on the album. imo TIL can cater to all 3 of those stations at the same time.

Ill be curious to see how SOD does because its probably the most UYI sounding song on the album.

You may be right about that (and honestly i haven't listened to z100 in a long time)... I imagine SOD would do well, but not overly so, if just for that reason. It's strength would be it's weakness. People will dig it because it's GNR and it sounds like what they used to like, but there will also be people who will dismiss it as old hat.
TIL is a curious case though because it's impossible for me to guess how much appeal it will or will not have to non-GNR fans or fans of lighter music. As this board has shown, it can be a favorite for some people, but it can also be completely disliked by others. I think it could do very well, but probably only with a big push to get it heard widely.

Thankyou! It was so much fun to promote this great song!

Really love this song but... I really don't like the god stuff. There is nothing inherently wrong with Axl using this as I am sure he is religious (cross tats, cross necklace) but personally I have a problem with it. So it doesn't impact me like it would if god stayed the fuck out of the lyrics. I was just at my kids talent show. She was the best kid there by far. But man so much god shit by other kids I wanted to puke. One kid does this gospel thing like, "If you love the lord like I do, stand up." Jesus fucking christ.

I always feel like I must have taken crazy pills. Like everyone but me is drinking the kool aide. You want me to believe in an invisible man that not one shred of evidence supports actually existed. Yea alright. Yet, mounds of evidence supports the Big Bang theory and evolution but that must just be because of some evil plot and agenda by scientists. I heard an interview with that fucking cunty bitch Ann Culter the other night. She said how 80% of the prison population was made up of individuals raised by a single mom. This hypocritical far right wing zombie bitch. Of course she won't mention how only 2% of the entire prison population is made up of agnostics and atheists. Fuck you!

Anyway, I really dig Axl's expanding on bigger themes like the Universe here, and in ITW. But, adding god into the lyrics is a big step back in my humble opinion. Maybe my only real complaint with any of the lyrics on CD. Take it for what it is.

Dude regardless of personal beliefs you have to realize there are powerful intellectual arguments on both sides of the God issue. While you may have to deal with a lot of people who believe in God in a childish way, that doesn't represent the totality of the argument. The same is true for atheists. Just to take your examples, there is no reason someone can't believe in evolution and the big bang and still believe in God. Evolution explains the development of life but not the origin of it. Initially we find complex creatures and ask how they could be here by chance, but with Darwin we now find a mysterious and ordered method by which these creatures are developed, and that needs an explanation every bit as much as the creatures themselves. The big bang in many ways fits right in with the Christian notion of a creator God. If things which have beginnings also have causes, and the universe had a beginning, then it should have a cause. Theists believe that cause is a divine intelligence.
I'm sorry because that was totally off topic.

As far as having God in the lyrics, it's funny because i didn't even really think of it. I kind of took it in a more casual way, "i hope to god she hears me," kind of like "i hope to god it doesn't rain at the ball park." Just part of the language, kind of like how you expressed your exasperation at your kids talent show with "Jesus fucking christ."
But i guess you're right, and it really doesn't bother me. Guns N Roses might not be the best place for an overly religious sentiment, but if Axl believes in God an it comes through in his lyrics, that's just honest art. The public sphere has to be shared by all ideas, even ones that may feel widely and oppressively held. Trust me, there's a lot of secular opinion that theists wish they didn't have to hear too. That's the bitch about freedom.

This post is interesting cause its like "WHERE THE FUCK is this coming from?" HAHA

Most random shit I think I've ever seen posted ever

I take it you aren't a fan of Oh My God,Garden of Eden,The Garden or Knocking on Heaven's Door either! :hihi: :hihi:


maybe Right Next Door To Hell is your favorite?

The "jesus fucking Christ" was a poor attempt at a joke but, yea I know what you are saying. Where me and you defer is that I don't think someone can intellectually argue that a god had a hand in anything at all. Back in ancient times people had no science or means to explain why things are, and gods were used to explain the unknown. That is how it has always been. But as time goes on we have science and things that were once unknown to us have been explained through science. So why would anyone with any reasonable intelligence not come to the same conclusion about the things that are unknown to us now, in this moment in history? Isn't that the only logical conclusion. That all things, if we can manage to survive long enough, will be explained through science? That is how it was, that is how it will be again.


Well, yea there isn't a hell either. So good of the Christians to create this nonsense. I think George Carlin said it best;

"Religion has convinced people that there?s an invisible man?living in the sky, who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn?t want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer and burn and scream until the end of time.....But he loves you! He loves you and he needs money!"

Maybe people should just do the right thing because we know its the right thing to do. Not doing what we think is right out of fear of some god.

Now, break this down for me. What about the Garden has anything to do with a God? Regarding Oh my god, I think it is how Skunk suggests. Its just something so engraved into our language. Saying oh my god or jesus fucking christ, is just casual language. Adjectives that we use not really meaning god at all. I think Saying "Oh my god" is a lot different then saying "Please God you must believe me." KOHD. Beautiful song, and I get where Dylan was going with the perspective. 

Anyway, I think the idea of a god, is also a really ancient obsolete one. If the world just let go of their fear and embraced science, we could live like how people like John Lennon and Gene Roddenberry described. Its really the only way to achieve peace, and to move humankind into a bold new future working together for the betterment of our race. I think as much of a fan of Lennon's as Axl is would maybe have already come to this conclusion. With all the changing seasons of his life maybe Axl will get it right next time.

edit: I just want to add that I think the lyrics in Chinese Democracy are so beautiful and so inspirational. I really really love them. I think that is why the line in this chorus of This I love stuck out for me. Axl's words have some kind of weird effect on me. They always have. His words mean more to me then maybe any others (not including the Beatles). So I take much of what Axl writes to heart. That is why this kind of bothers me.

I think Axl believes in God. There is alot of beautiful Christ imagery in ESTRANGED, and he wears beautiful crucifixes. He probably has a more open minded view of God than the beliefs he was taught as a child. I love the pathos in his voice in TIL when he says, "Dear God you must believe me."

I really hate nutjob religious fundamentalists as much as I hate hardcore atheists.

I really don't want to hear about anyone's personal beliefs, and to have someone get all up in my face about it.

You believe in God, fantastic.

You're an atheist, groovy.

Just keep your shit to yourself.  That's not just going out to Buddha, but to everyone.  One of the most annoying things to me in life is having someone preach their beliefs to you.





In this song, I personally feel the heft of Axl's struggles as he expresses them in this song.  I don't go on and cry about it like others in this thread, but he gets his point across very well.  And I always think about the women that have been in my life and I find myself relating to the lyrics.  Great thing about Guns N' Roses, I tell you.  There is something in every song someone can relate to.

It's a logical conclusion, but no it's not the only one. To me science is the study of the natural world, and religion and theology concern themselves with matters of the supernatural. The idea that science and religion are incompatible, or that one will explain everything and the other nothing is I think crap. The basic issues dealt with by religion may very well be exactly the type that science can't answer. Even if religion gets it wrong, that may still be true.
I also think it's a little naive, or at least overly idealistic, to think that embracing science will help usher in an era of peace. You take away religious differences and people still have national and cultural divides to overcome. Most religious wars aren't really about religion, but rather land or freedom, and really, how many people died in the 20th century at the hands of secular regimes? It's been said that war is the science of inefficiency and peace is the inefficiency of science. It's human nature, not religion, that causes us to pursue better bombs. Science is a tool, nothing more.

Dylan is an example of a guy who has put Christianity into some of his songs in a pretty heavy way, unlike what we're talking about here with TIL. I see the point about "please God you must believe me" being different than "oh my god," in that it's a pleading and personification. Thinking of it now, it actually adds a lot of power to the song... as if stressing the importance of this. It's a pretty severe heartbreak that makes someone turn to God like that. The lyrics to TIL are at times the kind of thing you could imagine someone sobbing. Even an atheist has to admit there's a kind of poetry that's hard to top in reaching for God, because even if you don't believe, still the concept of appealing to omnipotence represents the extremity of the emotion. Imagine if the lyric was "please dear you must believe me." I think it would lose something on intensity and effect.




I can hear that, but while i don't ever want to bother people with my beliefs, it's also not a topic I shy away from, and I don't think people on either side, as wacky as they may be, should have to silence their expression if they feel a certain way, which is I guess what is at heart here. Buddha was turned off by God being in TIL. I think we should always consider other people's feelings, sure, but i also think your freedom to express your beliefs outweighs someone else's minor aggravation at it. It sucks if an artist goes a certain way that makes it harder for you to enjoy their art, because you disagree with their philosophy, but you can still respect the honesty of that artist and his output. I feel that way about various artists.
Anyway i'm saying sorry if the convo bothered you here, and i think if i didn't always enjoy and respect Buddha's posts i might not have engaged him on the topic. I realize it's partially off topic, so i'll refrain in the future.

Pal, I have no problem with Axl or anyone using God in their art.

Yeah i didn't really mean you specifically, i should have been clear.

Rather i just mean that it can be hard to find the right balance between speaking ones mind and still making it a comfortable thing. Buddha's initial post showed that what to me was something i never considered, was something that to him detracted from the art. Either way, i think we can all agree Axl has had lyrics that caused much more discomfort than this one.  : ok:

Yeah, I don't get that.  At the end of the day, it's only music.  Sure, some music has some larger than life connotations, but people forget to take things for what they are.

Hey man, Skunk. I totally respect you man. I dig the way you explain things. Always cool as a cucumber.

I wasn't attempting to ram some atheist agenda down anyones throat. I myself am agnostic. I say that because I know there isn't definite answers to everything. I say that I don't know to things when I don't and neither does anyone else. I know that because other people do not possess powers that I don't have.  I was struck by this line in This I love and wanted to give a thorough reasoning behind my perspective on it. From a certain point of view I can totally see how this is a pretty minor complaint (if this could even be called that). The song is beautiful and that is what it comes down to really. I gave my impressions way earlier in this topic so I won't rehash now.

I am going to reread some of what was written above. Some interesting things were said.

"I hope to God she hears me"

"Please God you must believe  me"

it just shows how Axl grows in hes believes and as a human being and he express himself in this song, I think having God as ur guide and support is a mature way to live ur life (is just my opinion). Im happy to see Axl trusts God.

of course he trusts himself  ;)

You call for god or whatever almighty when really desperate. no matter how much atheistic you usually are.

if you don't like god how about

'i hope to Buddha'

'please Buddha you must believe me'

er, maybe not.

I love it! I was joking on Axl's Bday, I like to give out gifts to worthy people to celebrate the day, that his Bday is only second to JC's! :hihi:

if you don't like god how about

'i hope to Barack'

'please Barack you must believe me'


Heh, regardless, there are other ways of expressing such sentiment without bringing a god into it. In fact, talking to a god is just the easy way. There is energy in the universe that is real that if explored can be as reassuring as what having hope in a god is. Again it is just not the easy way. But, its real.

yeah baby! JC and Axl fuckin rules! : ok:

Music of ALW, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR! One of the all time great rock musicals! Ted Neely's performance was so awesome last year, that I thought I was in the presence of God! It truly brought a tear to my eye.

 :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:


It's just a song though, i think we're forgetting that. Using the term 'god' just gives the lyrics a more emotional and desperate feeling IMO
It's just a song, not a political or religious statement......
I'm 100% atheist and still think that line is cool

that would emasculate the energy of the lyrics. :hihi:

btw,
George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars films, has attributed the origins of "The Force" to the 1963 Arthur Lipsett abstract film 21-87 which used samples from many sources.

"One of the audio sources Lipsett sampled for 21-87 [a film that had a great influence on Lucas] was a conversation between artificial intelligence pioneer Warren S. McCulloch and Roman Kroitor , a cinematographer who went on to develop IMAX. In the face of McCulloch's arguments that living beings are nothing but highly complex machines, Kroitor insists that there is something more: 'Many people feel that in the contemplation of nature and in communication with other living things, they become aware of some kind of force, or something, behind this apparent mask which we see in front of us, and they call it God.'"

"When asked if this was the source of "the Force," Lucas confirms that his use of the term in Star Wars was 'an echo of that phrase in 21-87.'"
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.05/lucas.html?pg=3&topic=lucas&topic_set=%20Life%20After%20Darth

That is actually very interesting. There is obviously very interesting biblical parallels to things in Star Wars. I never heard this concerning 21-87 but it makes sense. Alright party people, I'll move on.

NOW things are in the move! : ok:


Right on BUDDHA. :yes:

I enjoyed the discussion a lot Buddha_Master.  :D

another side note,
I read that when Trent toured asia immediately after he said god bless you or something to the crowd he was bewildered, realising the fact that their god might not be the same one to his.

Their god, or ours, Buddha or Allah or whatever same difference, they're different names of 'the force' according to star wars.

buddha aint no god though

Budda, how would you feel about AXL ROSE SUPERSTAR?

That could be said about any of them. You ever consider that maybe we are all god? And if that statement is true, then your statement about Buddha being no god is false. Of course there is no evidence that Buddha, the God of Abraham, or Jesus of Nazareth actually existed at all, so all this might be for nothing anyway. Well, except my own points of course.

Axl Rose Superstar.

Look, Axl rules all but, ... yikes!

word. I agree that it's a great rock musical with good tunes but I can't see axl acting in a musical at theatres.

plus I think there're reasons the words are not  'i hope to jesus'

'please jesus you must believe me'

Hey ppbebe.

I must have blacked out. That story about Trent being bewildered realizing in this other country that their god wasn't his own. Trent is religious? Really? I mean... really?! I never in a million years would have thought of all people Trent fucking Reznor is religious. You sure you have this right? I mean this is the dude whose own songs are very very anti faith and expose much of the hypocrisies of god and religion. I could offer lots of examples, if needed but, I am sure you already know. So how is this possible. Honestly I really dig NIN. I think their recent Year Zero is a fantastic album and vision of a possible future. And it is again very anti-faith. Shit, this kind of fucks me up a bit if true.

And hey man, I have totally enjoyed this discussion.

I was teasing Buddha about not believing in God, not about Axl being in a musical. We all know that Axl is a rock god!

Or some sort of holy figure....

(http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7691/rockplanetsagradoaxl.jpg)

I'd say axl is humane than god. :-\


From the west to the east I have flown to be near you
I have come all this way to be close, to be here with you

And then the thought suddenly gave him an immeasurably deep sense of isolation or something like that.
I read it somewhere, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it as I forgot where.

Na that doesn't mean he's religious. When he sings 'you get me closer to god', he's still referring to a god which could be totally different from what fans with different cultural background think of with 'god'. In this sense there are his god and their god.

And yet music transcends the difference.

Buddha, how can you not believe in God when he gave us Axl Rose?

Listened to this a few times today.

I absolutely love the emotion in this song

one of my favorite parts is after the first chorus, when the orchestration hits and Axl does that piano run that fits so perfectly with the orchestra.


Then the flutes doing their run while Axl is singing is great.

I've been listening to this more then any other track lately. It just gets better with each listen. And I know I've said it 1000 times but Robin's solo is fucking incredible.

i cant fall out of love with this song.. its so amazing!

I respect everyone opinions on this song, but I still think it would be big hit on the radio.

Perfect timing for the spring proms, and summer months.

I used to work for a label and picked a few singles, so I have a little
bit of experience in this sort of thing.

I'm still sticking with what I believe, and I can hear this song tearing up mainstream rock stations everywhere.

And now it seems that I
Gave up my ghost of pride
I?ll never say goodbye


it could be on the illusions.

I totally agree! Tokyo Rose are you from Japan?

Without a doubt TIL should be playin on the radio around the world

One day it will! :peace:

till then "I'll never say good byyyyyeeeee!!!!!!"

After reading the interview with del I'm more leaning toward the idea that this song in essence might be about the band with the heroin heroine being his muse.
Also omnipresent, the muse is not something you can see as you wish.

EDIT:belatedly to correct the awful spelling mistake  :-[