Chinese Democracy

Chinese Democracy

Album : Chinese Democracy

Artist : Guns N' Roses

Release Date : 2003

Label : Black Frog

Chinese Democracy is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, released on November 23, 2008 by Black Frog and Geffen Records. It was the first Guns N' Roses studio album since the 1993 covers album "The Spaghetti Incident?", and their first album of original studio material since Use Your Illusion I and II (1991). It was the first Guns N' Roses album without their longtime producer Mike Clink; instead, it was produced by singer Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo. It underwent a protracted recording process, delayed by personnel and legal problems and Rose's perfectionism.

In the mid-1990s, amid creative and personal differences, guitarists Slash and Gilby Clarke, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum left the band, leaving only Rose and keyboardist Dizzy Reed. In 1997, Rose and Reed began work with guitarists Robin Finck and Paul Tobias, bassist Tommy Stinson, drummer Josh Freese, and keyboardist Chris Pitman. The lineup shifted several times, incorporating guitarists Buckethead, Richard Fortus and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and drummers Brain and Frank Ferrer. Guitarists Brian May and Dave Navarro, vocalist Sebastian Bach, composers Marco Beltrami and Paul Buckmaster, and producers including Mike Clink, Youth, Sean Beavan, Eric Caudieux and Roy Thomas Baker worked on the album across 15 studios. The band recorded dozens of songs, and suggested they could release them across multiple albums.

Chinese Democracy languished in development hell for eight years. Geffen originally planned to release it in 1999, but it was delayed and completely rerecorded in 2000. With costs reportedly exceeding $13 million, it became the most expensive rock album ever produced, and Geffen pulled their funding in 2005. After missing a release date of March 2007, it was finally released in November 2008, dogged by leaks and legal disputes.

Preceded by the title track as a lead single, Chinese Democracy debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, and was certified platinum. However, it did not meet sales expectations in the United States. It received generally favorable reviews, achieved international chart success, and has sold over one million copies in Europe.

Track List :

1. "Chinese Democracy"

2. "Shackler's Revenge"

3. "Better"

4. "Street of Dreams"

5. "If the World"

6. "There Was a Time"

7. "Catcher in the Rye"

8. "Scraped"

9. "Riad N' the Bedouins"

10. "Sorry"

11. "I.R.S."

12. "Madagascar"

13. "This I Love"

14. "Prostitute"

Simple Music Player

PLAYING x OF y

Track Name

Track Artist

00:00

LYRIC

"Chinese Democracy"

It don't really matter

Gonna find out for yourself

No, it don't really matter, ooh

Gonna leave this thing to somebody else

If they were missionaries

Real-time visionaries

Sitting in a Chinese stew

To view my dis-infatuation

I know that I'm a classic case

Watch my disenchanted face

Blame it on the Falun Gong

They've seen the end and you can't hold on now

'Cause it would take a lot more hate than you

To end the fascination

Even with an iron fist

More than you got, to rule the nation

When all I've got is precious time

It don't really matter

Guess I'll keep it to myself

Said, it don't really matter (matter, matter)

It's time I look around for somebody else

'Cause it would take a lot more time than you

Have got for masturbation

Even with your iron fist

More than you got to rule the nation

When all we've got is precious time

More than you got, to fool the nation

But all I've got is precious time

It don't really matter

I guess you'll find out for yourself

No, it don't really matter (matter, matter)

So you can hear it now from somebody else

You think you got it all locked up inside

And if you beat 'em enough, they'll die

It's like a walk in the park from a cell

(It don't' really matter)

Now you're keeping your own kind in hell

(It don't' really matter)

When your Great Wall rocks, blame yourself

(It don't' really matter)

While their arms reach out for your help

And you're out of time

"Shackler's Revenge"

I've got a funny feeling, there's something wrong today

I've got a funny feeling and it won't go away

I've got an itchy finger and there'll be hell to play

I'm gonna pull the trigger and blow them all away

Don't ever try to tell me how much you care for me

Don't ever try to tell me how you are there for me

I don't believe there's a reason

I don't believe it

I don't believe there's a reason

I don't believe it

I've got a wicked demon, his hunger never fades

I've got an empty feeling, I won't be home today

Don't ever try to tell me how much you care for me

Don't ever try to tell me how you are there for me

I don't believe there's a reason

I don't believe it

I don't believe there's a reason

I don't believe it

No one is stopping you from a doing what you want to do

No one is stopping you now, stopping you now

I don't believe there's a reason

I don't believe it

I don't believe there's a reason

I don't believe it

I don't believe there's a reason

I don't believe it

I don't believe there's a reason

I don't believe it

"Better"

No one ever told me when I was alone

They just thought I'd know better, better

No one ever told me when I was alone

They just thought I'd know better, better

The hardest part this troubled heart has never yet been through now

Was to heal the scars that got their start inside someone like you now

Boy, had I known or I'd been shown back when how long it'd take me

To break the charms that brought me harm and all but would erase me

I never would hope that I could, no matter what you'd pay me

Replay the part, you stole my heart, I should've known you're crazy

If all I knew was that with you, I'd want someone to save me

It'd be enough, but just my luck, I fell in love and maybe

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better

You know I know better

Now I know you better

So bittersweet, this tragedy won't ask for absolution

This melody inside of me still searches for solution

A twist of fate, the change of heart cures my infatuation

A broken heart, to provide the spark for my determination

No one ever told me when I was alone

They just thought I'd know better, better

No one ever told me when I was alone

They just thought I'd know better, better

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better

You know I know better

Now I know you better

I never wanted you to be so full of anger

I never wanted you to be somebody else

I never wanted you to be someone afraid to know themselves

I only wanted you to see things for yourself

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better

Now we all know better

All that I wanted was

If I were you, I'd manage to avoid the invitation

Of promised love that can't keep up with your adoration

Just use your head and in the end, you'll find your inspiration

To choose your steps and won't regret this kind of aggravation

No one ever told me when I was alone

They just thought I'd know better, better

No one ever told me when I was alone

They just thought I'd know better, better

"Street Of Dreams"

All the love in the world couldn't save you

All the innocence inside

You know I tried so hard to make you

Oh, to make you change your mind

And it hurts too much to see you

And how you left yourself behind

You know I wouldn't want to be you

Now there's a hell I can't describe

So now I wander through my days

And try to find my ways to the feelings that I felt

I saved for you and no one else

And though as long as this road seems

I know it's called the street of dreams

But that's not stardust on my feet

It leaves a taste that's bittersweet

That's called the blues, ooh

I don't know just what I should do

Everywhere I'd go, I see you

Though it's what you planned

This much is true:

What I thought was beautiful

Don't live inside of you, anymore

I don't know just what I should do

Everywhere I'd go, I see you

Though it's what you planned

This much is true:

What I thought was beautiful

Don't live inside of you, anymore

What this means to me is more than I know you believe

What I thought of you, now, has cost more than it should for me

What I thought was true before, were lies I couldn't see

What I thought was beautiful, is only memories

Oh oh oh

"What'd I tell you?"

Oh oh oh

That's what they'll tell ya

Oh oh oh

Inside of you

"If The World"

If the world would end today

And all the dreams we had would all just drift away, ooh

You know, there's nothing more to say

If the world would end and our love slipped away, ooh

I never knew the way that you look at me

Would ever mean so much to me

But in my heart, I found the feelings that I've never shown

And now they've got the best of me

If the world would end today

And all the dreams we had would all just drift away, ooh

You know, there's nothing more to say

If the world would end and our love slipped away, ooh

Ooh, la, da-da-da

La-da, da-da, da-da-da

Ooh, la, da-da-da

La-da, da-da, da-da-da

I never thought all the love I was looking for

Could ever be so close to me

But you're the only one I have ever loved that has ever loved me

And now you've got the best of me

If the world would end today

And all the dreams we had would all just drift away, ooh

You know, there's nothing more to say

If the world would end today

And all the dreams we had would all just drift away, ooh

You know, there's nothing more to say

If the world would end and our love slipped away, ooh

"There Was A Time"

Broken glass and cigarettes writin' on the wall

It was a bargain for the summer and I thought I had it all

I was the one who gave you everythin', the one who took the fall

You were the one who would do anythin', one who can't recall

Where she was while she was sleepin' in another woman's bed

Or the doctor's, or the lawyer's, or a stranger that she met

If there's nothin' I can gain from this or anythin' at all

It'd be the knowledge that you gave me when I thought I'd heard it all

It was a long time for you

It was a long time for me

It'd be a long time for anyone but

Looks like it's meant to be

Social class and registers, cocaine in the hall

All the way from California on the way to your next call

To those non-negotiations to simulate a cause

For the betterment of evils and your ways around the laws

That keep you up and sittin' pretty on a pedestal or bed

An' now you're sleepin' like an angel, never mind who you gave head

If there's somethin' I can make of this or anything at all

It'd be the devil hates a loser and you thought you had it all

It was a wrong time for you

It was a wrong time for me

It was the wrong time for anyone, but

Looks like I got to see for myself

If I could go back in time to the place in my soul

There, all alone, lonely teardrops, ooh, are calling you

But I don't want to know it, now, 'cause knowing you

It won't change a damn thing, but there was a time

Yeah, there was a time, I didn't wanna know, at all

Didn't wanna know, at all, and I don't wanna know it, now

Yeah, there was a time, I didn't wanna know, at all

Didn't wanna know, at all, and I don't wanna know it, now

I would do anything for you, there was a time

I would do anything for you

I would do anything for you, there was a time

There was a time, I would do anything for you

Ooh, I would do anything for you

(Yeah, there was a time, I didn't wanna know, at all

Didn't wanna know, at all, and I don't wanna know it, now)

I would do anything for you

(Didn't wanna know, at all

Didn't wanna know, at all, and I don't wanna know it, now)

There was a time, there was a time

"Catcher In The Rye"

When all is said and done, we're not the only ones

Who look at life this way, that's what the old folks say

But every time I'd see them makes me wish I had a gun

If I thought that I was crazy, well, I guess I'd have more fun

Guess I'd have more fun

Ooh, the Catcher in the Rye again

Ooh, won't let you get away from him

It's just another day like today

You decide 'cause I don't have to

And then they'll find and I won't ask you

At any time or long hereafter

If the cold outside's as I'm imagining

It to be

Ooh, the Catcher in the Rye again

Ooh, won't let you get away from him

It's just another day like today

When all is said and done, we're not the only ones

Who look at life this way, that's what the young folks say

As if they'd ever change as that were mine to say

But every time I'd see them makes me wish I had a gun

If I thought that I was crazy, well, I guess I'd have more fun

'Cause what used to be's not there for me

And ought to for someone that belonged

Insane, like I do

On an ordinary day, not in an ordinary way

All at once, the song I heard, no longer would it play

For anybody or anyone

That needed comfort from somebody

Needed comfort from someone

Who cared to be not like you and unlike me

And then the voices went away from me

Somehow, you set the wheels in motion, now haunts our memories

You were the instrument, you were the one

How a body, took a body, you gave that boy a gun

Took our innocence beyond our stares

Sometimes, the only thing we counted on when no one else was there

"Scraped"

(Ay-oh) Don't you try to stop us now

(Ay-oh) I just refuse

(Ay-oh) Don't you try to stop us now

(Ay-oh) 'Cause I just won't let you

Sometimes I feel like the world is on top of me

Breaking me down with an endless monotony

Sometimes I feel like there's nothing that's stopping me

All things are possible, I am unstoppable

Some may convince you, no one can break through

I'm here to tell you you're worth more than they tell you

(Ay-oh) Don't you try to stop us now

(Ay-oh) I just refuse

(Ay-oh) Don't you try to stop us now

(Ay-oh) 'Cause I just won't let you

Sometimes I feel like my life's a catastrophe

Can't understand why it seems like it has to be

Sometimes I feel like it's all opened up for me

Nothing's impossible, I am unconquerable

No one can make you do what they want to

You know you're stronger than the lies that they tell you

(Ay-oh) Don't you try to stop us now

(Ay-oh) I just refuse

(Ay-oh) Don't you try to stop us now

(Ay-oh) 'Cause I just won't let you

Some may convince you, no one can break through

You know you're stronger than the lies that they tell you

(Ay-oh) Don't you try to stop us now

(Ay-oh) I just refuse

(Ay-oh) Don't you try to stop us now

(Ay-oh) 'Cause I just won't let you

(Ay-oh) Don't you try to stop us now

(Ay-oh) I just refuse

(Ay-oh) Don't you try to stop us now

(Ay-oh) 'Cause I just won't let you

"Riad N' The Bedouins"

Riad and the Bedouins had a plan and thought they'd win

But I don't give a fuck 'bout them 'cause I am crazy

Oh, my salvation and all my frustrations

Caught in the lies, no one had wove as well

Somewhere in time where only I could tell, ooh

Riad and the Bedouins and that's a war that you can't win

But I have had enough of them and who blame me

Sands of time and desert winds, Nomads and Barbarians

I won't bend my will to them, you aggravate me

Oh, my salvation and all my frustrations

Caught in the lies, no one had wove as well

Somewhere in time where only I could tell

Ooh, sweet salvation, like all my frustrations

Caught up in lies, no one had wove as well

Somewhere in time where only I could tell, ooh

Oh, sweet salvation and all my frustrations

Caught in the lies if you had wove so well

Somewhere in time, then only I could tell, oh

Riad and the Bedouins (Oh-oh, oh)

Had a plan and thought they'd win (Oh-oh, oh)

Riad and the Bedouins (Oh-oh, oh)

Crossed the line and lost again (Oh-oh, oh)

"Sorry"

You like to hurt me, you know that you do

You like to think in some way that it's me and not you

But we know that isn't true

You like to have me jump and be good, but I don't want to do it

You don't know why I don't act the way you think I should

You thought they'd make me behave and submit, submit

What were you thinking?

'Cause I don't forget

You don't know why I won't give in

Hell with the pressure, I'm not caving in

You know that I got under your skin

You sold your soul but I won't let you win

You talk too much, you say I do

Difference is nobody cares about you

You've got all the answers, you know everything

Why nobody asked you is a mystery to me

I'm sorry for you, not sorry for me

You don't know who in the hell to or not to believe

I'm sorry for you, not sorry for me

You don't know who you can trust now or you should believe

You should believe

You don't know who you can trust now or you should believe

You close your eyes, all well and good

I'll kick your ass like I said that I would

You tell them stories they'd rather believe

Use and confuse them, they're numb and naive

Truth is the truth hurts, don't you agree?

It's harder to live with the truth about you

Than to live with the lies about me

Nobody owes you not one god damn thing

You know where to put your, "Just shut up and sing"

I'm sorry for you, not sorry for me

You don't know who in the hell to or not to believe

I'm sorry for you, not sorry for me

You chose to hurt those that love you and won't set them free

Won't set them free

You chose to hurt those that love you and won't set them free

You don't need anyone else to be sorry for you

You've got no heart

You can't see all that you've done for me

I know the reasons you tear me apart

"I.R.S."

No, ah-ah

Is it true

What they say of you?

Gonna call the president

Gonna call a private eye

Gonna get the I.R.S

Gonna need the F.B.I

There's not anymore that I can do

All the reasons that you gave, I'd follow you

To when you'd lead and if that'd be the end of time, it's true

Wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong

Wouldn't be the last, I'm sure I've known

Through all the rumors, I could tell

Some things didn't work so well

Well, anyway, it feels the same

When you first told me you were gone

So long ago, but I still held on

Through all the motions, the love, and the sex

And that's the truth, and here's the worst yet

Wouldn't even matter, the things that I'd say

You've made your mind up and gone, anyway

And there's no use now in dragging it on

Should've seen it coming all along

Well, it's true

Oh, I had my doubts of you

Gonna call the president

Gonna call myself a private eye

Gonna need the I.R.S

Gonna get the F.B.I

Gonna make this a federal case

Gonna wave it right down in your face

Read it, baby, with your morning news

With a sweet hangover and the headlines, too, now

I bet you think I'm doing this all for my health

I should've looked again, dated somebody else

Feeling like I've done way more than wrong

Feeling like I'm living inside of this song

Feeling like I'm just too tired to care

Feeling like I've done more than my share

Couldn't be the way that I've carried on

Like a broken record for so long

And I do

Gonna call the president

Gonna call a private eye

Gonna get the I.R.S

Gonna need myself the F.B.I

Ooh, what shall I do

If I gave my heart to you?

It's such a crime, you know it's true

Gonna call the president

Gonna get myself a private eye

Ooh, gonna need the I.R.S

Gonna get the F.B.I

Gonna make it a federal case

Gonna wave it right down in your face

Read it, baby, with your morning news

With the sweet hangover and the headlines, too

There's not any more that I can do

"Madagascar"

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 by way back, my way back anymore

Oh, no, I won't be told anymore

That I've been bought down in this storm

Ooh, and left so far out from the shore

Oh, that I can't find my way back, my way anymore, no

Oh, I

Forgive them that tear down my soul

And bless them that they might grow old

And free them so that they may know

That it's never too late

For the many times, what seemed like a memory

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

Oh, I found the ways

Ooh, why it had to be mired in denial, and so afraid

If we ever find it's true

That we have the strength to choose

Oh, freedom, or the chains

We have together

(I'm gonna tell you a story)

(Stand up for righteousness)

(Eh, what...)

(Stand up for justice)

(Eh, what...)

(Stand up for truth)

(How can a person grow up with all this around them?)

(You gotta call on that something...)

(Where does it come from?)

(...That can make a way out of no way!)

(All this hatred)

(What we've got here is...)

(Fear)

(That power that can make a way out of no way)

(Failure to communicate)

(I tell you I've seen a lightning flash, I've heard the thunder roar)

(Everybody's acting that we can do anything and it don't matter what we do, maybe we gotta be extra careful, because maybe it matters more that we even know)

(Sometimes)

(Hatred isn't something you're born with...)

(I feel discouraged)

(..it gets taught)

(Sometimes I feel discouraged)

(I felt this...fear)

(He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone. No, never alone, no, never alone)

(Let's get somethin' straight alright)

(He promised never to leave me)

(This whole thing is fucked up!)

(Never to leave me alone)

(Well, all men betray, all lose heart)

(I don't wanna lose heart! I wanna believe!)

(Black men and white men together, at the table of brotherhood, I have a dream!)

(Free at last, free at last)

(Thank God almighty, we are free at last!)

Oh, I won't be told anymore

(If we ever find it's true)

That I've been brought down in this storm

(That we have the strength to choose)

And left so far out from the shore

(Oh, freedom, or the chains)

That I can't find my way back, my way anymore

(We have together)

Oh, no, I won't be told anymore

(If we ever find it's true)

Ooh, that I've been brought down in this storm

(That we have the strength to choose)

Oh, and left so far out from the shore

(Oh, freedom, or the chains)

That I can't find my way back, my way anymore

(We held together)

"This I Love"

And now, I don't know why she wouldn't say goodbye

But then, it seems that I had seen it in her eyes

Though it might not be wise, I'd still have to try

With all the love I have inside, I can't deny

I just can't let it die, 'cause her heart's just like mine

And she holds her pain inside

So, if you ask me why she wouldn't say goodbye

I know somewhere inside

There is a special light still shining bright

And even on the darkest night, she can't deny

So, if she's somewhere near me, I hope to God she hears me

There's no one else could ever make me feel I'm so alive

I hoped she'd never leave me, please God, you must believe me

I've searched the universe and found myself within her eyes

No matter how I try, you say it's all a lie

So what's the use of my confessions to a crime

Of passions that won't die, in my heart?