Released: November 29, 1988

Songwriter: Peter Wells Dallas Royall Geordie Leach Mick Cocks Angry Anderson

Producer: Mike Clink

[Verse 1]
She hit town like a rose in bloom
Smelling sweet, said sweet perfume
The color faded and the petals died
Down in the city, no one cried

[Pre-Chorus]
In the streets, the garbage lies
Protected by a million flies
The roaches so big, you know that they got bones
They moved in and made a tenement home

[Chorus]
I said, "Nice boys don't play rock and roll"
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
I'm not a nice boy

[Verse 2]
Sweet sixteen she was fresh and clean
Wanted so bad to be part of the scene
She met the man and she did the smack
Paid the price laying flat on her back

[Pre-Chorus]
Wanted so bad just to please the boys
They ended up just being a toy
Played so hard burned her life away
Lies were told no promises made

[Chorus]
You know, nice boys don't play rock and roll
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
I'm not a nice boy and I never was

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Young and fresh when she hit town
Hot for kicks just to get her ass around
But now she lays in a filthy room
She kills the pain with a flick and a spoon

[Pre-Chorus]
And in the streets, the garbage lies
Protected by a million flies
You know the roaches so big, you know that they got bones
Moved in and made a tenement home

[Chorus]
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
Nice boys don't play rock and roll

[Outro]
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
Na, na, na na, na, na, baby
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
I'll bet your mamma said
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
Nice boys don't play rock and roll
Nice boys

Guns N’ Roses

Guns N' Roses was the most dangerous band in the world in the late 80s and early 90s. Led by singer Axl Rose and stylish guitarist Slash, they mixed the passion of blues, the heaviness of rock, and the attitude of punk, bringing forth a breath of fresh air to a music scene dominated by cheesy hair metal bands.

Their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, is the best selling debut of all-time. They outsold a headlining Aerosmith on their first major tour, released two double albums (Use Your Illusion I & II) simultaneously, and soon would play to audiences in excesses of 20,000 people.

However, cracks started forming in the band, as classic era drummer Steven Adler was fired from the band before the “Use Your Illusion” releases and founding rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin left abruptly during the ensuing tour. They were replaced by Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke, respectively, with keyboardist Dizzy Reed joining the band and expanding the group’s sound.

more tracks from the album

Appetite for Destruction (Super Deluxe Edition)