Madagascar thread

[nekomex]

well i have heard the final version

i love it, i loved the old versions, but i have always loved the raspy Axl voice, and it goes perfect with the song.

[GNFNR-UK]

'Madagascar' is in my top 3 songs from the album, it is such a powerful song. I used to play the RIR3 and other soundboard versions almost on a daily basis at one point! I really like the final mix, I agree that the Buckethead solo from RIR3 was the best but I think the solo had to be toned down a bit in order for the quotes to really stand out and it has worked because I get chills every time I hear that part. Another thing I really like about the final mix is the layered vocals at the end. I remember the excitement of seeing them perform this at the 2002 VMA's and the hairs standing up on my neck as I watched in awe. I think the song is definately about the seperation from the old band and the turmoil of recording new material -

I won't be told anymore
That I've been brought down in this storm
And left so far out from the shore
That I can't find my way back, my way anymore
Forgive that they teared down my soul
Bless them that they might grow old
And free them so that they may know
That it's never too late

I think these lyrics in the verses are aimed at all the people who said Axl was a washed up has been and couldn't make it without the former members. 'Everybody's acting like we can do anything and it don't matter what we do, maybe we gotta be extra careful because maybe it matters more than you even know' I think is aimed at the critics and fans who were always complaining about the length of time the album was taking, Axl was being extra careful because he knew this album was going to matter more than anything he'd ever released in his career before.

'Im free of all the chains we had together' and 'I have a dream, Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty we are free at last' I think are about Axl having a dream to take Guns in a new direction and the other members not supporting this new sound, he eventually had to break freem from them, didn't Axl even say in an interview that being made to record with the old band would be like a 'prison sentence'? The original band had a 'Failiure to communicate', Axl really is a genius for re-using this sample as it now has so many meanings. I could go on and on about why I believe this song is about the old band and the split but it seems obvious really, however these are just my interpretations.

[Akasha]

Can anyone else name a current song that deals with such powerful themes? The closest I can think of is Life Your Life, just off the top of my head (but even that doesn't quite reach the same level as this song). U2 would come close, but Under A Blood Red Sky/Joshua Tree era.

There is so much strength to this song - the words, the lyricism, the delivery, the sound bytes.

Sure there are elements of autobiography but the overall meaning is bigger than all of us.

What amazes me is how the samples fit right into the rhythm or is it the other way around.



BTW I am really astounded that there is a thread running that aims to vote off the least favorite song - and this is one of them!

   Dr Martin Luther King's speech is one of the the most inspirational of the 20th century.


*raises fist into the air*

[bolton]

finalversion is amazing.
the most powerfull song on the cd

[Skunk]

finalversion is amazing.
the most powerfull song on the cd

Absolutely.
Not necessarily my favorite, or what i think is the best... but for depth of meaning and lyrical artistry, this song is unreal.

At the close of what feels like a rough year at what is hopefully the end of a long journey in my life, this song serves as an anthem. A cry of defiance and serious intent.

I won't be told anymore
That I've been brought down in this storm
And left so far out from the shore
That I can't find my way back, my way, anymore.

[Rockin' Rose]

Graduated today, quite drunk now. There was this girl I liked, but with the things I've seen today, this song has never felt more close as it has today, specially the line

I've searched and found the ways you used to lure me in

So fuck you and the guy I earlier today was so happy to have as my friend.

Oh no I won't be told anymore..

[Annie]

I love Madagascar! I'll never forget the first time I heard part of it at the VMA's in 2002. It totally blew me away then, and it still blows me away now!

[MoonMax]

'Madagascar' is in my top 3 songs from the album, it is such a powerful song. I used to play the RIR3 and other soundboard versions almost on a daily basis at one point! I really like the final mix, I agree that the Buckethead solo from RIR3 was the best but I think the solo had to be toned down a bit in order for the quotes to really stand out and it has worked because I get chills every time I hear that part. Another thing I really like about the final mix is the layered vocals at the end. I remember the excitement of seeing them perform this at the 2002 VMA's and the hairs standing up on my neck as I watched in awe. I think the song is definately about the seperation from the old band and the turmoil of recording new material -
[

If it's right what you said about the song being about old/new band stuff, I would totaly loose my respect for Axl.

I get your point guys, about the voice. Personaly I'm fine with it. But I think I would also pick the live version from Rio then the album one. But I still like the album version. The only thing that's bit frustrating, is the opening sound of that "brass synth"(I'd call it). It seems like it's the same one, they were using during the shows, but sounds bit strange here.
Anyway, I realy like the song and the lyrics and the fact, that next to If The World, it's something different from the other songs on the album and different from many many songs we know.
Is there a way to find out what these famous words "My'd..." should be? It bothers me since I've first heared the song.


The funniest thing about Madagascar is, while played live in 2002 in Osaka, the drums started the song as if it had 5/4 time signature and then the keys brought it back to 4/4. Funny. 

[AxlsMainMan]

I love Madagascar! I'll never forget the first time I heard part of it at the VMA's in 2002. It totally blew me away then, and it still blows me away now!

That performance of Madagascar was incrrrrrrrrrrrrrrredible

[Annie]

I love Madagascar! I'll never forget the first time I heard part of it at the VMA's in 2002. It totally blew me away then, and it still blows me away now!

That performance of Madagascar was incrrrrrrrrrrrrrrredible

I did cry when I heard it that first time.

[ppbebe]

By contraries, I've really taken to the voice on the album. very expressive of quiet grief.

[younggunner]

I think the Rio version of Madagascar was timeless. I do enjoy the album version though.

[duga]

I think the Rio version of Madagascar was timeless. I do enjoy the album version though.

Loved it. And I thought the album was half a year away...

[seely]

I think the Rio version of Madagascar was timeless. I do enjoy the album version though.

That live version is pretty special
I think iprefere the way he sings it in that version too

[GIMH]

A truly brilliant song, Axl really delivers on this one. This song has really impressed some of my non-GNR fan friends

[y2marmar]

I have friends who don't like GnR but love this song too. It has some very powerful emotions. This has been my favorite GnR song for years

[novemberparadise23]

A lot of people bash the 02 vma performance, but i thought that version of Madagascar was phenomenal. 

I love the album version as well

[AC]

I agree. That performance at the VMA's was great (IMO).

AA.

[Buddha_Master]

I kept thinking about Madagascar as I watched Barack Obama's Inauguration celebration yesterday. It is too bad that Chinese Democracy wasn't released earlier, and Madagascar was released as a single so the mass would already be familiar with it. You know, if this album was promoted proper like as it deserved. It really fits the whole theme of right now. It would have been so amazing and appropriate for Axl to have performed this yesterday. On the dawn of MLK Jr. day and Barack's big day tomorrow. I love this song, and really love Barack. I feel this is such a triumphant time. Wasted opportunity for Madagascar to have been part of such an historic and wonderful time. Oh well.

[Annie]

I kept thinking about Madagascar as I watched Barack Obama's Inauguration celebration yesterday. It is too bad that Chinese Democracy wasn't released earlier, and Madagascar was released as a single so the mass would already be familiar with it. You know, if this album was promoted proper like as it deserved. It really fits the whole theme of right now. It would have been so amazing and appropriate for Axl to have performed this yesterday. On the dawn of MLK Jr. day and Barack's big day tomorrow. I love this song, and really love Barack. I feel this is such a triumphant time. Wasted opportunity for Madagascar to have been part of such an historic and wonderful time. Oh well.

I agree. I played it first thing this morning on the way to work!