re: Civil War best GNR Song

Why the ?

Get in the Ring was heavy, groovy, and ballsy. It's not every artist nor album that takes specific shots at their worst critics. GNR did that and it was a very Sex Pistols-like heavy rock track.

Civil War is good. It's not like I think it sucks as UYI II is one of the most fantastic albums ever created. BUT, how many songs preach the same message -- over and over and over again? It's a good acoustic turned hard-hitting ballad to no one in particular. That said, it did not become part of the three-year long numerous videos GNR did off of both albums. Yes, it's better than "Garden of Eden" and "Don't Cry" and the remake of McCartney's "Live and Let Die"...but it did not hold a candle to Estranged or November Rain or You Could Be Mine. Just no way. "Civil War" is a memorable intro with solid social commentary, but it does not have that "IT" factor, to me.

"Get in the Ring", in my opinion, would have been a huge hit but the profanity and the call-outs at wealthy individuals at Spin Magazine and Hit Parader would have been too much. It reminds me of the "frick Martinez" song that 2 Live Crew did back in '91.

That said, "Rocket Queen" and "Mr. Brownstone" are my picks. No one, without the internet's help, would have known was the former was about and while they're plenty of songs about heroin and partying, it was cool to personify it. I think along with "Never Let Me Down Again" by Depeche Mode, it's the best song about abusing heroin...and it's not in a down-trodden Phil Anslemo type of way. I just remember buying the album in 4th grade and listening to "Mr. Brownstone" and thinking, "Man...this guy loves to party. He parties so much that Axl wants him to leave him alone."