Guns N’ Roses

Released: September 17, 1991

Songwriter: Axl Rose Slash Duff McKagan Izzy Stradlin

Producer: Mike Clink

[Verse 1]
Diamonds and fast cars, money to burn
I got my head in the clouds, I got these thoughts to churn
Got my feet in the sand, I got a house on the hill
I got a headache like a mother twice the price of my thrills

[Pre-Chorus]
And it's a cold day in the continental drift
I said this traffic is hell, can you give me a lift?
And I'll try to paint a story, got your pictures to tell
Yeah, you got to make a livin' with what you bring yourself to sell

[Verse 2]
I got some genuine, imitation bad apples
Free sample for your peace of mind, only $9.95

[Pre-Chorus]
I got my camera back from customs, got my law fees up to date
Hell, they must've seen me comin', ain't this life so fuckin' great?

[Chorus]
When the shit hit the fan, it was all I could stand, yeah
Well, I'm a frequent flyer
My body's breathin' while it can but what I don't understand is that
My world ain't gettin' no brighter
If I could touch the sky, well, I would float on by
While everybody's talkin', hell, I'm just another guy
If it were up to me, I'd say, just leave me be
Why let one bad apple spoil the whole damn bunch?

[Verse 3]
Gold and caviar
Now, won't you pour my apathy?
I'd have all the bases covered
If I could teach my hands to see

[Pre-Chorus]
Now, we're down in the deep end where they'd love to watch you drown
I said, your laundry could use washing, we'll hang it up all over town
I said, Hollywood's like a dryer an' we're down on Sunset Strip
An' you'll be suckin' down the Clorox 'til your life's all nice and crisp

[Chorus]
When the shit hits the fan, it was all I could stand, yeah
I'm a frequent flyer
My body's breathin' while it can but what I don't understand is that
My world ain't gettin' no brighter
If I could touch the sky, I would float on by
While everybody's talkin', hell, I'm just another guy
If it were up to me, I'd say, just leave me be
Why let one bad apple spoil the whole damn bunch?

[Guitar Solo]

[Chorus]
When the shit hits the fan, it was all I could stand, yeah
I'm a frequent flyer
My body's breathin' while it can but what I don't understand is that
My world ain't gettin' no brighter
If I could touch the sky, I would float on by
While everybody's talkin', hell, I'm just another guy
If it were up to me, I'd say, just leave me be
Why let one bad apple spoil the whole damn bunch?
Why let that one bad apple spoil the whole damn bunch?

[Outro]
Boy!

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

Use Your Illusion I

From the album

Use Your Illusion I (1991)

Guns N’ Roses popular songs

Bad ApplesGuns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses

Use Your Illusion I