PRETTY TIED UP is one awesome song!

[Dizzy]

No crap about any other song in this thread, this is devoted solely to "Pretty Tied Up", a song that does everything a song should, it rocks hard and the lyrics tell a great story.  In this case, the brilliant storytelling of Mr. Izzy Stradlin shines through on a dead-on account of the implosion of the original lineup due to the excess.

I've been listening to this song a lot recently, I never gave it much attention in the past.  Both the UYI version and the Live Era version are great, I can't decide which is better.

Who else loves this song?

[DRUNK]

I LOVE it.  The Live Era version also has some great vocal work and an overall differant vocal sound because of the backup singers etc.  

[Walapino]

This song simply put ROCKS!  

[AsXpLy]

I LOVE TO PLAY THAT SONG IN MY SHOWS

[matt88]

I've always liked Pretty Tied Up. I like the sitar at the start it really gived a vibe to the song

[SunKing278]

An overlooked gem in the GNR catalogue.  A truly gritty rock n' roll song born out of real experience.  Izzy and Slash gave it a groovy vibe with the sitar and psychedelic guitars.

[Vegar]

I love that song... As with estranged, I think the Live Era version is better than the UYI II version.  Just faster, and brilliant!  

[Hammy]

Very cool song would of made a great single instead of 'The Garden' IMO, imagine the cool video they could of done for this

[Mang]

That song is so cool, from the heavy bass introduction to the last yawl of Axl it sure does rocks! I like the fact that Izzy writes ironically about how GNR becomes too big and, therefore becomes a "joke"! (As everyone knows Izzy got out of the band 'cause it became to big for him..)
The song rules!

[Dave_Rose]

Pretty Tied Up is such a catchy song as well I love it

[Johnnyblood]

PTU was the first of the Illusion songs that I got into. I bought a copy of the now-contraband Hard and Heavy video in order to see the live Rio version. This was the summer before Illusions were out, even before the YCBM single I think. Totally loved it, still don't get why it wasn't a single or something (like superjudge says, it would've been a lot better than Garden of Eden). Some rock stations still play it on their own.

[duga]

It's on my 10 top list. Should've been a single!

[page]

I always loved the song, - great to see so many others fell the same

[MadmanDan]

Pure in-your-face dirty Rock N' Roll !!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hell yeah!

[Slashly]

It?s  awsome, indeed.Great lyrics about decadence by Mr. Stradlin.
I like the live version bet.I just can?t stand one thing about the studio version:
The chorus with that semimuted voice, a low one, a mid one, and a high 1.Much more better the live version (although it hasn?t got the citar  ) with Tracy and Roberta doing some kick ass singing in the chorus.
Awsome rock song!!!!Rock on Izzy!!!!






Baby Sash//

[JamieG]

I disagree. No song can be "awesome" that is so lyrically lacking.

"She's pretty tied up hangin' upside down
She's pretty tied up and you can ride her"

Come on.

A great song needs to have some depth in the lyrics. There's plenty of them on UYI 2. Civil War, Yesterdays, Breakdown and of course Estranged.

Pretty Tied Up is not one of them.

[badapple81]

Its a story!

How can you use YESTERDAYS as an example of a GNR song with more depth than PTU?! As much as I love Yesterdays..

'Cause yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Some things could be better
If we'd all just let them be

Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Got nothin' for me

 

[Evolution]

It?s  awsome, indeed.Great lyrics about decadence by Mr. Stradlin.
I like the live version bet.I just can?t stand one thing about the studio version:
The chorus with that semimuted voice, a low one, a mid one, and a high 1.Much more better the live version (although it hasn?t got the citar  ) with Tracy and Roberta doing some kick ass singing in the chorus.
Awsome rock song!!!!Rock on Izzy!!!!






Baby Sash//

i agree.the chorus on Live Era is so much more upbeat!like a breath of fresh air

[YouCouldBeMine]

PTU is pretty good but at least on Live Era I dont think it can beat Dust N Bones, Yesterdays, and of course November Rain.

[Dizzy]

I disagree. No song can be "awesome" that is so lyrically lacking.

"She's pretty tied up hangin' upside down
She's pretty tied up and you can ride her"

Come on.

A great song needs to have some depth in the lyrics. There's plenty of them on UYI 2. Civil War, Yesterdays, Breakdown and of course Estranged.

Pretty Tied Up is not one of them.

Have you ever listened to the actual verse lyrics?  Because you sound as if the chorus is the only part of the song you've ever heard.  The lyrics are incredible, and tell a great story.  Try listening beyond the chorus and you'll see what I mean.

[Doc Emmett Brown]

It's not lyrically lacking - none of Izzy's songs are.  

I was 12 when I first heard the song and I didnt understand the lyrics at that time.  I certainly didnt realize that the band was in such a volatile state and that's what the lyrics are about in one sense.  But Izzy is also talking about fame in general and how it can destroy.

I dont remember at what point I began to realize what Izzy was talking about.  

When you're 12, the lyrics "Once you make that money, it costs more now" are vague and nebulous.  Now more than a decade later, I understand  


I wonder why he chose not to sing the song himself?  Axl's vocals are not AFD-style on this song.  And I've love the opening chords to the song - it's exotic.

Another thing I dont get is that people say Izzy spend very little time working on the UYIs (at least that's what I've read), and yet he wrote and co-wrote many of the songs.   Some of them including: 14 Years, Double Talking Jive, and  Pretty Tied Up, could only have been written after experiencing all the shit he went through with the band becoming huge.  

So, it seems to me that he spent his UYI time wisely even if it was a short amount of time.

I could wax poetic about Izzy and this song until your eyes bleed, but I'll spare  you all the agony  

[Hung Well]

Along with YCBM, Pretty Tied Up is one of the only rockers on UYI1&2 that are AFD worthy...

[sami]

I know that (almost) all the GNR songs are great but do we really have to start
a topic for all of them?
 

[sami]

Even the Slash interview from 1999 where he says that he is ready to come back to GNR if Axl just gives him a call seems more important to me and things that changed Slashs opinion after that

if some one is intrested in the interview you can read it here
http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=95

[Fuckin' Gunner]

Its a story!

How can you use YESTERDAYS as an example of a GNR song with more depth than PTU?! As much as I love Yesterdays..

'Cause yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Some things could be better
If we'd all just let them be

Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Got nothin' for me

 

Lyrically Yeaterday is so fuckin' great man!

'Cause yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Some things could be better
If we'd all just let them be

I can't see why it's not great...

Anyway, back on topic, Pretty Tie Up is a great rocker and I think the Live Era version is bettrer, but I hate Dizzy's keyboards on Live Era...

[Fuckin' Gunner]

It's not lyrically lacking - none of Izzy's songs are.

I don't think Izzy is so good writing as people say... I really prefer Axl's lyrics or the hole band lyrics.

PS: I'm not saying he's a bad songwritter anyway

[Doc Emmett Brown]

Even the Slash interview from 1999 where he says that he is ready to come back to GNR if Axl just gives him a call seems more important to me and things that changed Slashs opinion after that

if some one is intrested in the interview you can read it here
http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=95

You want to start another reunion thread?  Jarmo made a HTGTH Public Service Announcement #1 about that --> Drugs are bad for you.

Axl/Slash threads are fine every now and then...   Just like the chitchat about his braids, his anatomy, virginity, lawsuits, delays, guitarists, riots, and the occasional positive thread out of the blue - like this one!     Besides, the music is the most important thing anyway.

Have we ever had a thread about Right Next Door to Hell?  Maybe I should start one.  

[Doc Emmett Brown]

It's not lyrically lacking - none of Izzy's songs are.

I don't think Izzy is so good writing as people say... I really prefer Axl's lyrics or the hole band lyrics.

PS: I'm not saying he's a bad songwritter anyway

Izzy has this wacky sense of humor in his lyrics which appeals to me.  

But I agree with you that Axl's lyrics are something special.  That's why I'm here  

edit:  Kool Ranch Dressing  

[Dizzy]

Another thing I dont get is that people say Izzy spend very little time working on the UYIs (at least that's what I've read), and yet he wrote and co-wrote many of the songs.

Slash stated that Izzy didn't play very much on the UYI albums, he wasn't referring to Izzy's songwriting.  If you look at the UYI credits, Slash is credited as rhythm guitar player on almost all the tracks alongside Izzy, meaning that if Izzy's track had to be dubbed over in places, Izzy had not recorded more to make it work, forcing Slash to do it himself.

I had a lot of resentment towards Izzy for not playing on the 'Illusions'.....I had to double up guitars for him on most of it [the UYI albums].  He didn't play very much.

--Slash

We'd have Izzy in the studio playing a rhythm part, and upon determing how well it would fit or not, we'd ask him to play it again, and he'd be like 'why, I just did it'.

--Axl

[badapple81]

Its a story!

How can you use YESTERDAYS as an example of a GNR song with more depth than PTU?! As much as I love Yesterdays..

'Cause yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Some things could be better
If we'd all just let them be

Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Got nothin' for me

 

Lyrically Yeaterday is so fuckin' great man!

'Cause yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Some things could be better
If we'd all just let them be

I can't see why it's not great...

Anyway, back on topic, Pretty Tie Up is a great rocker and I think the Live Era version is bettrer, but I hate Dizzy's keyboards on Live Era...

I agree dude.. Yesterdays is great.. but I dont agree that compared to Pretty Tied Up, Yesterdays is so much better.

It's a cool song that as i've grown up and understood GN'R more, the song took on more meaning.

[Slashly]

About Dizzy?s last post in this topic:
Probably Izzy was jsut too lazy about it.Acording to the other band members and also to himself, he was no longer interested in the album, he didn?t  feel identificated with it.
He didn?t care anymore......





Baby SLash//

[badapple81]

Another thing I dont get is that people say Izzy spend very little time working on the UYIs (at least that's what I've read), and yet he wrote and co-wrote many of the songs.

Slash stated that Izzy didn't play very much on the UYI albums, he wasn't referring to Izzy's songwriting.  If you look at the UYI credits, Slash is credited as rhythm guitar player on almost all the tracks alongside Izzy, meaning that if Izzy's track had to be dubbed over in places, Izzy had not recorded more to make it work, forcing Slash to do it himself.

I had a lot of resentment towards Izzy for not playing on the 'Illusions'.....I had to double up guitars for him on most of it [the UYI albums].  He didn't play very much.

--Slash

We'd have Izzy in the studio playing a rhythm part, and upon determing how well it would fit or not, we'd ask him to play it again, and he'd be like 'why, I just did it'.

--Axl

Seems like Izzy's mind was well away from GN'R way before he quit. Pretty Tied Up seemed like Izzy writing his resignation.

I find Izzy really interesting, people dont really talk about him much on here compared to Axl. He recently decided not to take part in the New York Dolls reuinion when he found out that there were a few additional shows being played and he would have to learn some additional material with the band.. and declined to continue to be involved with VR.. seems to be very content just releasing the odd solo album and not really being involved with any band, group or project with would attract any attention and hype.

[JamieG]

How can you use YESTERDAYS as an example of a GNR song with more depth than PTU?! As much as I love Yesterdays..
'Cause yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Some things could be better
If we'd all just let them be

Wow, I totally disagree with you. I don't even know how you can compare Yesterdays to Pretty Tied up lyrically:

Yesterday, there were so many things I was never told
Now that I'm starting to learn I feel I'm growin' old
Cause Yesterday's got nothin for me
Old Pictures that I'll always see
Time Just fades the pages in my book of memories
Prayers in my pocket
And no hand in destiny
I'll keep on movin along with no time to plant my feet
...Yesterday there were so many things I was never shown
Suddenly this time I found I'm on the streets and I'm all alone

Compared to:

I know this chick she lives down on Melrose
She ain't satisfied without some pain
Friday night is goin up inside her
Again crack the whip
Cause that Bitch is just insane

..............

No comparison, but you're entitled to your opinion. Like I say in my next post, some people like their bands acting like a horny 14 year old boy and singing about their dicks and other people want something a bit deeper.

[JamieG]

Along with YCBM, Pretty Tied Up is one of the only rockers on UYI1&2 that are AFD worthy...

And that really is the crux of the whole problem (which Slash alludes to in that link posted, "if Axl realized what the meat and potatoes of GNR was"). While many people think that AFD is GNR at their best, I think UYI is what made Guns N' Roses special.

Sure, I enjoy an old fashioned rock song on a certain level, but that only goes so far. It's like a song like Van Halen's Jump. You may think the music is catchy and like the song, but I would never call it a great song because it is just so lyrically empty and bad.

Or it's like AC/DC. Loved by millions but also laughed at by millions.  Some bands and fans of bands are content with them acting like a horny 14 year old boys singing about their dicks and fucking a hot girl (like singing about how "she's pretty tied up, upside down you can ride her") while others want something a little deeper.

Personally, I'm very thankful that Axl had a vision and wanted Guns N' Roses to be more than an AC/DC.

[Doc Emmett Brown]

While many people think that AFD is GNR at their best, I think UYI is what made Guns N' Roses special.

Agreed.  The UYIs, although not cohesive, are indeed special.

Some bands and fans of bands are content with them acting like a horny 14 year old boys singing about their dicks and fucking a hot girl (like singing about how "she's pretty tied up, upside down you can ride her") while others want something a little deeper.

If you think that Izzy intended this to be a shallow song, you need to think again.

In my humble opinion, the 'she' in the lyrics above refers to Fame, and fame's a bitch.  It's not about banging some bimbo, it's about Fame fucking you over.  That's how I see it.

And finally, GNR is similar to AC/DC for the reason you mentioned.  They are loved by millions, but also ridiculed by millions because of their mistaken status as a hair metal band that grew too big for its own boots.

...look at me, I promised I wouldnt bore anyone with my philosophizing on Izzy's songs and what am I doing?