The Flashback: #6 - There Was A Time

[Spirit]

First heard this one in demo form, the short version if I remember correctly. I didn't love it from the get go, but it has over time certainly become one of my favorite songs on Chinese.

About the song, the most obvious stand-out part of the tune is certainly the guitar solo by Buckethead. Probably one of the greatest solos in recent musical history in my opinion. It's a very long solo, but it's so varied, creative and technically proficient that it's never boring.

Second, the lyrics. To me, they're the closest to classic Axl lyrics and I think they're brilliant! You get the feeling of a story being told, very engaging for the listener. For the future, more of this please!

Today, it's one of the Chinese songs I listen to the most and it has certainly found its place among the all-time greatest GN'R songs in my book.

Unfortunately, I can't say I've had the pleasure of experienced the song live (just a few lucky fans have...).

[draguns]

I love this song. I'll never forget hearing it for the first time at the first Hammerstein show. Axl  was back with that scream in the song.

[D-GenerationX]

Best song on the album.  And the only new band song I would put in my alltime GNR top 10.

The guitar work is incredible.  Buckethead's outro gets all the pub.  And it should, its magnificent.  But even the solos in the middle are top notch.

With Axl finally figuring out how to do this one live vocally last year, its my hope it becomes more of a concert staple.

[EmilyGNR]

Was no less than magnificent in the last Vegas residency, totally a great experience and memory

[nick6sic6]

Hands down,the most epic song on the album.I love the guitars,the lyrics,the outro.
I first heard the leaked song without the choir intro,the official album version is of course even better.
I can't say that live performances make the song justice though

[D-GenerationX]

I can't say that live performances make the song justice though

Most of them are a horror show, vocally.

The two times in 2006 are brutal.  But the song wasn't even out yet, so its not like he had a lot of time with them.  Ditto the early perfromances in 2009.

I thought it was discouraging that things really aren't any better in those 2012 shows, years later.  That kind of made me think he would never figure it out.

But the versions from 2014 are much, much better.  Hopefully, that's the norm going forward.

[Sosso]

One of the best GN'R songs ever. The epic Buckethead solo, the sound effects from Pitman, the orchestral arrangements from Beltrami, Axl's Vocals... just perfect!

[jarmo]

One of my favorites on the album. And hearing it live was always a treat.



/jarmo

[D-GenerationX]

One of the best GN'R songs ever. The epic Buckethead solo, the sound effects from Pitman, the orchestral arrangements from Beltrami, Axl's Vocals... just perfect!

This was the leak that had me the most excited, no question. 

I played that leak on a near continuous loop that summer.  I had a playlist on my iPod that was just the song, 12 times in a row.

Just an amazing tune.

[jarmo]

I had a playlist on my iPod that was just the song, 12 times in a row.

Your iPod didn't have the repeat feature?



/jarmo

[GnR-NOW]

When I heard the song I was like it's ok, then robins solo, then buckets solo .... I was blown away. It's my favorite gnr song of all time. Only heard it live twice but hope it becomes a regular.

[D-GenerationX]

When I heard the song I was like it's ok, then robins solo, then buckets solo .... I was blown away. It's my favorite gnr song of all time. Only heard it live twice but hope it becomes a regular.

I was the same way. 

I thought the lyrics of the verses were clever, but the chrous is sort of...eh.

But then you hear that guitar work and you don't even remember that other stuff.  Even Axl's singing at the end over the solos.  Awesome.

[rebelhipi]

I think the first time i heard this one was November 2008 Album version.

It is one of the greatest gnr tracks ever. Whenever i get a friend telling me they gave chinese a listen they always mention TWAT first. And same for me it was the song that struck the most after the first listens was twat and riad.

We all know how good the solos are, bit i want to give a shout to the drums track which Brain, Frank and Josh made. The drum fill during Robins solo where the band kicks in is hugely powerful. Again it would be nice to know who played what.

I think the album version is better than live, even i have never seen this one live. but as live versions the Hammerstein one is my favorite.

[TheBaconman]

My fav song on the album

And actually

One of my fav gnr songs of all time..   

The boys did this one right

[The Wight Gunner]

I had a playlist on my iPod that was just the song, 12 times in a row.

Your iPod didn't have the repeat feature?



/jarmo

No it doesn't, only they user has 

[nick6sic6]

One of my favorites on the album. And hearing it live was always a treat.



/jarmo

I love the song so much that I wish i could say the same.I've only heard bootleg recordings,never had the opportunity to experience it in person,i'm sure i'd say differently if I'd hear it live in person.

[LIGuns]

For those who felt CD didn't sound like GNR, well TWAT certainly would have fit into USI I and II...It to me is the definitive classic GNR sound many craved..

[D-GenerationX]

For those who felt CD didn't sound like GNR, well TWAT certainly would have fit into USI I and II...It to me is the definitive classic GNR sound many craved..

Street Of Dreams
There Was A Time
Catcher In The Rye
I.R.S.
This I Love

Those, I could have seen on the UYI albums.  None of the others, though.

[sky dog]

Sorry has a classic feel to it....I could hear it on UYI 2

[LIGuns]

For those who felt CD didn't sound like GNR, well TWAT certainly would have fit into USI I and II...It to me is the definitive classic GNR sound many craved..

Street Of Dreams
There Was A Time
Catcher In The Rye
I.R.S.
This I Love

As does  Madagasca, Rhiad and If the World...

Those, I could have seen on the UYI albums.  None of the others, though.

[draguns]

I don't think "This I Love" would have been part of the classic GNR sound. At least not the studio version. It does have that classic sound live, though. I can totally see "There Was A Time" done by the originals.

[D-GenerationX]

I don't think "This I Love" would have been part of the classic GNR sound. At least not the studio version. It does have that classic sound live, though. I can totally see "There Was A Time" done by the originals.

I think Slash would nail that solo though.

[draguns]

I agree.

[D-GenerationX]

I really like the guitar work on the album.

But, comparisons to Slash were inevitable.  However, the only tracks I would be interested to hear him take a crack at are :

Street Of Dreams
There Was A Time
This I Love

[HBK]

This Song Is Special,,, different emotions