Use your Illusion 2

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 Civil War 
14 Years 
Yesterdays 
Knocking On Heaven's Door 
Get In The Ring 
Shotgun Blues 
Breakdown 
Pretty Tied Up 
Locomotive
So Fine 
Estranged 
You Could Be Mine 
Don't Cry (Alt) 
My World 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Civil war

     What we've got here is a failure to communicate
     Some men you just can't reach
     So, you get what we had here last week
     Which is the way he wants it
     Well, he gets it
     And I don't like it any more than you men.

     Look at your young men fighting
     Look at your women crying
     Look at your young men dying
     The way they've always done before

     Look at the hate we're breeding
     Look at the fear we're feeding
     Look at the lives we're leading
     The way we've always done before

     My hands are tied
     The billions shift from side to side
     And the wars go on with brainwashed pride
     For the love of God and our human rights
     And all these things are swept aside
     By bloody hands time can't deny
     And are washed away by your genocide
     And history hides the lies of our civil wars
 

     Would you wear a black armband
     When they shot the man
     Who said "Peace could last forever"
     And in my first memories they shot Kennedy
     I went numb when I learned to see
     So I never fell for Vietnam
     We got the wall of  D.C. to remind us all
     That you can't trust freedom
     When it's not in your hands
     When everybody's fighting
     For their promised land

     I don't need your civil war
     It feeds the rich while it buries the poor
     Your power hungry selling soldiers
     In a human grocery store
     Ain't that fresh?
     I don't need your civil war

     Look at the shoes your filling
     Look at the blood we're spilling
     Look at the world we're killing
     The way we've always done before
     Look in the doubt we've wallowed
     Look at the leaders we've followed
     Look at the lies we've swallowed
     And I don't want to hear no more

     My hands are tied
     For all I've seen has changed my mind
     But still the wars go on as the years go by
     With no love of God or human rights
     'Cause all these dreams are swept aside
     By bloody hands of the hypnotized
     Who carry the cross of homicide
     And history bears the scars of our civil wars.

    We practice selective annihilation
    Of mayors and Government officials
    For example to create a vacuum
    Then we fill that vacuum
    As popular war advances
    Peace is closer

     I don't need your civil war
     It feeds the rich while it buries the poor
     Your power hungry selling soldiers
     In a human grocery store
     Ain't that fresh?
     And I don't need your civil war
     I don't need your civil war
     I don't need your civil war
     Your power hungry sellin' soldiers
     In a human grocery store
     Ain't that fresh
     I don't need your civil war
     I don't need one more war

     I don't need one more war
     What's so civil about war anyway

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14 years

     I try and feel the sunshine
     You bring the rain
     You try and hold me down
     With your complaints
     You cry and moan and complain
     You whine a tear
     Up to my neck in sorrow
     The touch you bring
     You just don't step inside to 14 years
     So hard to keep my own head
     That's what I say
     You know I've been the beggar
     I've played the thief
     I was the dog they all tried to beat

     But it's been 14 years of silence
     It's been 14 years of pain
     It's been 14 years that are gone forever
     And I'll never have again

     Your stupid girlfriends tell you
     That I'm to blame
     Well they're all used up, has beens
     Out of the game
     This time I'll have the last word
     You hear what I say
     I tried to see it your way
     It won't work today
     You just don't step inside to 14 years
     So hard to keep my own head
     That's what I say
     You know I've been the dealer
     Hangin' on your street
     I was the dog they all tried to beat

     But it's been 14 years of silence
     It's been 14 years of pain
     It's been 14 years that are gone forever
     And I'll never have again

     Bullshit and contemplation
     Gossip's their trade
     If they knew half the real truth
     What would they say
     Well I'm past the point of concern
     It's time to play
     These last 14 years of madness
     Sure put me straight
     Don't get back 14 years
     In just one day
     So hard to keep my own head
     Just go away
     You know just like a hooker she said
     Nothin's for free
     Oh I tried to see it your way
     I tried to see it your way

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Yesterday

     Yesterday
     There was so many things
     I was never told
     Now that I'm starting to learn
     I feel that I'm growing old

     Cos' yesterday's got nothin' for me
     Old pictures that I'll always see
     Some things could be better
     In my book of memories
     Hands in my pocket
     And no hand in destiny
     I'll keep on movin' along
     With no time to plant my feet

     Cos' yesterday's got nothin' for me
     Old pictures that I'll always see
     Some things could be better
     If we'd all just let them be

     Yesterday's got nothin' for me
     Yesterday's got nothin' for me
     Got nothin' for me

     Yesterday
     There was so many things
     I was never shown
     Suddenly this time I found
     I'm on the streets
     And I'm all alone

     Yesterday's got nothin' for me
     Old pictures that I'll always see
     I ain't got time to reminisce old novelties

     Yesterday's got nothin' for me
     Yesterday's got nothin' for me
     Yesterday's got nothin' for me
     Yesterday
     Yesterday

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Knocking on heaven's door

     Mama take this badge from me
     I can't use it anymore
     It's getting dark ,too dark to see
     Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

     Knock, knock,knockin' on heaven's door
     Knock,knock,knockin' on heaven's door
     Knock,knock,knockin' on heaven's door
     Knock,knock,knockin' on heaven's door

     Mama put my guns on the ground
     I can't shoot them anymore
     That cold black cloud is comin' down
     Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

     Knock, knock,knockin' on heaven's door
     Knock,knock,knockin' on heaven's door
     Knock,knock,knockin' on heaven's door
     Knock,knock,knockin' on heaven's door

     "YOU JUST BETTER START SNIFFIN' YOUR OWN RANK SUBJUGATION JACK
     COS' IT'S JUST  YOU AGAINST YOUR TATTERED LIBIDO, THE BANK AND THE MORTICIAN,FOREVER MAN AND IT WOULDN'T BE LUCK IF YOU COULD GET OUT OF LIFE ALIVE"

      Knock,knock,knockin' on heaven's door.

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Get in the Ring

     Why do you look at me when you hate me
     Why should I look at you
     When you make me hate you too
     I sense a smell of retribution in the air
     I don't even understand why the fuck you even care
     And I don't need your jealousy
     Why drag me down in your misery
     And when you stare don't you think I feel it
     But I'm gonna deal it back to you in spades
     When I'm havin' fun you know I can't conceal it
     Cos' I know you'd never cut it in my game
     Oh no
     And when you're talkin' about a vasectomy
     I'll be writing down your obituary history

     You got your bitches with the silicon injections
     Crystal meth and yeast infections
     Bleached blond hair, Collagen lip projections
     Who are you to criticize my intentions
     Got your subtle manipulative devices
     Just like you I got my vices
     I got a thought that would be nice
     I'd like to crush your head tight in my vice
     PAIN!

     And that goes for all you punks in the press
     That want to start shit by printin' lies
     Instead of the things we said
     That means you
     Andy Secher at Hit Parader
     Circus Magazine,
     Mick Wall at Kerrang,
     Bob Guccione Jr. at Spin,
     What you pissed off cuz your dad gets more pussy than you?
     Fuck you
     Suck my fuckin' dick

     You be rippin' off the fuckin' kids
     While they be payin' their hard earned money
     To read about the bands they want to know about
     Printin' lies ,startin' controversy
     You want to antagonize me
     Antagonize me motherfucker
     Get in the ring motherfucker
     And I'll kick your bitchy little ass
     PUNK!

     I don't like you, I just hate you
     I gonna kick your ass,

     You may not like our integrity
     We built a world out of anarchy
     Oh yeah!

     "AND IN THIS CORNER WEIGHING IN AT 850 POUNDS- GUNS N' ROSES"

     Get in the ring
     Get in the ring....

     Yeah this song is dedicated to
     All the Guns n' fuckin' Roses fans
     Who stuck with us through all the fucking shit
     And to all those opposed
     Hmm...well....

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Shotgun blues

     I got the shotgun blues,shotgun blues
     I said I don't know what I did
     But I know I gotta move
     I got the shotgun blues
     Shotgun blues
     I can't wait here forever
     I got too much here to lose

     An now you're blowin' smoke
     I think you're one big joke
     Me...I gotta lot to learn
     An I'm still waitin' for the heads to turn
     You say I walk a line
     Fuck they move it every time
     You walk a mile in my shoes
     And then you tell me 'bout singin' the blues
     You get what you pay for
     An freedom's real high priced
     An while your rippin' off children
     Somebody's fuckin' your wife
     It's never made a difference
     It's only how you survive

     I got the shotgun blues
     Shotgun blues
     I said I don't know what I did
     But I know I gotta move
     I got the shotgun blues
     Shotgun blues
     I can't wait here forever
     I got too much here to lose
     An now you ask me why
     I said it's do or die
     I'll stick it right in your face
     And then I'll put you in your motherfuckin' place
     And you...you can suck my ass
     An I think it's so low class
     Me...I'm just so concerned
     I'm still waitin' for your ass to burn
     Ooooh you want a confrontation
     I'll give you every fuckin' chance
     With your verbal masturbation
     Me...I just like to dance
     How's that for provocation
     I'm just makin' a stance
     An I'm tired of the frustration
     Of livin' inside of your lies
     And I'm wired on indignation
     I said somebody's got to die

     I got the shotgun blues
     Shotgun blues
     I said I don't know what I did
     But I know I gotta move
     I got the shotgun blues
     Shotgun blues
     I can't stay here forever
     I got too much here to lose
     I got the shotgun blues
     Shotgun blues
     Listen motherfucker
     You're about to pay your dues
     I got the shotgun blues
     Shotgun blues
     If you're goin' up against me
     Then you know you're gonna lose
     I know
     I know (there's ways- that we- can find)
     I know
     I know

     You think anyone with an I.Q. over 15
     Would believe your shit...fuckhead
     Nothin' but a fuckin' pussy

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Breakdown

    We all come in from the cold
     We come down from the wire
     An everybody warms themselves
     to a different fire
     When sometimes we get burned
     You'd think sometime we'd learn
     The one you love is the one
     That should take you higher
     You ain't got no one
     You better go back out and find her

     Just like children hidin' in a closet
     Can't tell what's goin' on outside
     Sometimes we're so far off the beaten track
     We'll get taken for a ride
     By a parlor trick or some words of wit
     A hidden hand up a sleeve
     To think the one you love
     could hurt you now
     Is a little hard to believe
     But everybody darlin' sometimes
     Bites the hand that feeds

     When I look around
     Everybody always brings me down
     Well is it them or me
     Well I just can't see
     But there ain't no peace to found
     But if someone really cared
     Well they'd take the time to spare
     A moment to try and understand
     Another one's despair
     Remember in this game we call life
     That no one said it's fair

     BREAKDOWN
     Let me hear it now
     BREAKDOWN
     let me hear it now
     Yeah
     BREAKDOWN
     Let me hear it now
     BREAKDOWN
     let me hear it now
     Get down with yo' bad self
     Alright

     I've come to know the cold
     I think of it as home
     When there ain't enough of me
     To go around
     I'd rather be left alone
     But if I call you out of habit
     I'm out of love and I gotta have it
     Would you give it to me
     If I fit you needs
     Like when we both knew we had it
     But now the damage's done
     And we're back out on the run
     Fun how ev'rything was Roses
     When we held on to the Guns
     Just because you're winnin'
     Don't mean you're the lucky ones

     BREAKDOWN
     Let me hear it now
     BREAKDOWN
     Yeah
     BREAKDOWN
     BREAKDOWN
     let me hear it now

     "There goes the challenger being chased
     By the blue blue meanies on wheels
     The vicious traffic squad cars are
     After our lone driver
     The last American hero
     The-the electric sintar
     The demi-god,
     The super driver of the golden west!
     Two nasty Nazi cars are close behind
     The beautiful lone driver
     The police cars are getting closer-closer...
     Closer to our soul hero in his soul mobile- Yeah baby!
     They about to strike, They gonna get him, SMASH! RAPE!
     The last beautiful free soul on this planet

     But...it is written if the Evil Spirit
     Arms the Tiger with claws
     Brahman provided wings for the Dove
     Thus spoke the Super Guru"
     "Did you hear that"

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Pretty tied up

    I know this chick she lives down on Melrose
     She ain't satisfied without some pain
     Friday night is goin' up inside her...again
     Well crack the whip
     'Cause that bitch is just insane
     I'm serious

     She's pretty tied up
     Hangin' upside down
     She's pretty tied up
     An you can ride her
     She's pretty tied up
     Hangin' upside down
     I can't tell you she's the right one
     Oh no,oh no,oh no
     Once there was this rock n' roll band rollin' on the streets
     Time went by and it became a joke
     We just needed more and more fulfilling- Uh-huh
     Time went by and it all went up in smoke
     But check it out

     She's pretty tied up
     Hangin' upside down
     She's pretty tied up
     An you can ride her
     She's pretty tied up
     Hangin' upside down
     Ohh I can't tell you she's the
     right one
     Oh no,oh no,oh no
     Once you made that money it costs more now
     It might cost a lot more than you'd think
     I just found a million dollars
     That someone forgot
     It's days like this that push me o'er the brinks
     Cool and stressing
     (pronounced:Kool ranch dres'ing)

     She's pretty tied up
     Hangin' upside down
     She's pretty tied up
     An you can ride her
     She's pretty tied up
     Hangin' upside down
     And I can't tell you she's the
     right one
     Oh she's the right one...(etc.)

     (But I can tell you a thing or two
     'Bout somethin' else
     If you really wanna know-Know what
     I,m-)

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Locomotive

Gonna find a way to cure this loneliness
     Yeah I'll find a way to cure the pain
     If I said that you're my friend
     And our love would never end
     How long before I had your trust again
     I opened up the doors when it was cold outside
     Hopin' that you'd find your own way in
     But how can I protect you
     Or try not to neglect you
     When you won't take the love I have to give
     I bought me an illusion
     An I put it on the wall
     I let it fill my head with dreams
     And I had to have them all
     But oh the taste is never so sweet
     As what you'd believe it is-
     Well I guess it never is
     It's these prejudiced illusions
     That pump the blood
     To the heart of the biz

     You know I never thought
     That it could take so long
     You know I never knew how to be strong
     Yeah, I let you shape me
     But I feel as though you raped me
     'Cause you climbed inside my world
     And in my songs
     So now I've closed the door
     To keep the cold outside
     Seems somehow I've found the will to live
     But how can I forget you
     Or try not to reject you
     When we both know it takes time to forgive

     Sweetness is a virtue
     And you lost your virtue long ago
     You know I'd like to hurt you
     But my conscience always tells me no
     You could sell your body on the street
     To anyone whom you might meet
     Who'd love to try and get inside
     And bust your innocence open wide

     'Cause my baby's got a locomotive
     My baby's gone off the track
     My baby's got a locomotive
     Got ta peel the bitch off my back
     I know it looks like I'm insane
     Take a closer look I'm not to blame
     No

     Gonna have some fun with my frustration
     Gonna watch the big screen in my head
     I'd rather take a detour
     'Cause this road ain't gettin' clearer
     Your train of thought has cut me off again
     Better tame that boy 'cause he's a wild one
     Better tame that boy for he's a man
     Sweetheart don't make me laugh
     You's gettin' too big for your pants
     And I's think maybe you should
     Cut out while you can
     You can use you illusion-
     Let it take you where it may
     We live and learn
     And then sometimes it's best to walk away
     Me I'm just here hangin' on
     It's my only place to stay at least
     For now anyway
     I've worked too hard for my illusions
     Just to throw them all away

     I'm taking time for quiet consolation
     In passing by this love that's passed away
     I know it's never easy-
     So why should you believe me
     When I've always got so many things to say
     Calling off the dogs a simple choice is made
     'Cause playful hearts
     Can sometimes be enraged
     You know I tried to wake you-
     I mean how long could it take you
     To open up your eyes and turn the page

     Kindness is a treasure-
     And it's one towards me you've seldom shown
     So I'll say it for good measure
     To all the ones like you I've known
     Ya know I'd like to shave your head
     And all my friends could
     paint it red
     'Cause love to me's a two way street
     An all I really want is peace

     But my baby's got a locomotive
     My baby's gone off the track
     My baby's got a locomotive
     Got ta peel the bitch off my back
     I know it looks like I'm insane
     Take a closer look I'm not to blame
     No

     Affection is a blessing
     Can you find it in your sordid heart
     I tried to keep this thing
     ta-gether
     But the tremor tore my pad apart
     Yeah I know it's hard to face
     When all we've worked for's gone to waste
     But you're such a stupid woman
     And I'm such a stupid man
     But love like time's got its own plans

     'Cause my baby's got a locomotive
     My baby's gone off the track
     My baby's got a locomotive
     Got ta peel the bitch off my back
     I know it looks like I'm insane
     Take a closer look I'm not to blame
     Yeah
     If love is blind I guess
     I'll buy myself a cane

     LOVE'S SO STRANGE

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So fine

     How could she look so fine
     How could it be she might be mine
     How could she be so cool
     I've been taken for a fool
     So many times
     It's a story of a man
     Who works as hard as he can
     Just to be a man
     who stands on his own
     But the book always burns
     As the story takes it turn
     An leaves a broken man
     How could she be so cool
     How could she be so fine
     I owe a favor to a friend
     My friends they always come through for me- Yeah
     It's a story of a man
     Who works as hard as he can
     Just to be a man
     who stands on his own
     But the book always burns
     As the story takes it turn
     An leaves a broken man
     If you could only live my life
     You could see the difference you make to me- To me
     I'd look right up at night
     And all I'd see was darkness
     Now I see the stars alright
     I wanna reach right up and grab one for you
     When the lights went down in your house
     Yeah that made me happy
     The sweat I make for you
     Yeah...I think you know where that comes from

     Well I'd look right up at night
     And all I'd see was darkness
     Now I see the stars alright
     I wanna reach right up and grab one for you
     When the lights went down in your house
     Yeah that made me happy
     The sweat I make for you
     I think you know where that comes from

     How could she look so good(So good)
     How could she be so fine
     How could she be so cool
     How could it be she might be mine

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Estranged

When you're talkin to yourself
     And nobody's home
     You can fool yourself
     You came in this world alone
     (Alone)

     So nobody ever told you baby
     How it was gonna be
     So what'll happen to you baby
     Guess we'll have to wait and see
     ONE, TWO

     Old at heart but I'm only 28
     And I'm much too young
     To let love break my heart
     Young at heart but it's getting much too late
     To find ourselves so far apart

     I don't know how you're s'posed
     To find me lately
     An what more could tou ask from me
     How could you say that I never needed you
     When you took everything
     Said you took everything from me

     Young at heart an it gets so hard to wait
     When no one  I know can seem to help me now
     Old at heart but I musn't hesitate
     If I'm to find my own way out

     Still talkin' to myself
     and nobody's home
     (Alone)

     So nobody ever told us baby
     How it was gonna be
     So what'll happen to us baby
     Guess we'll have to wait and see

     When I find out all the reasons
     Maybe I'll find another way
     Find another day
     With all the changing seasons of my life
     Maybe I'll get it right next time
     An now that you've been broken down
     Got your head out of the clouds
     You're back down on the ground
     And you don't talk so loud
     An you don't walk so proud
     Any more, and what for

     Well I jumped into the river
     Too many times to make it home
     I'm out here on my own, an drifting all alone
     If it doesn't show give it time
     To read between the lines
     'Cause I see the storm getting closer
     And the waves they get so high
     Seems everything We've ever known's here
     Why must it drift away and die

     I'll never find anyone to replace you
     Guess I'll have to make it thru, this time- Oh this time
     Without you

     I knew the storm was getting closer
     And all my friends said I was high
     But everything we've ever known's here
     I never wanted it to die

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You could be mine

I'm a cold heartbreaker
     Fit ta burn and I'll rip
     your heart in two
     An I'll leave you lyin' on the bed
     I'll be out the door before ya wake
     It's nuthin' new ta you
     'Cause I think we've seen that movie too

     'Cause you could be mine
     But you're way out of line
     With your bitch slap rappin'
     And your cocaine tongue
     You get nuthin' done
     I said you could be mine

     Now holidays come and then they go
     It's nothin' new today
     Collect another memory
     When I come home late at night
     Don't ask me where I've been
     Just count your stars
     I'm home again

     'Cause you could be mine
     But you're way out of line
     With your bitch slap rappin'
     And your cocaine tongue
     You get nuthin' done
     I said you could be mine

     You've gone sketchin' too many times
     Why don't ya give it a rest
     Why
     Must you find
     Another reason to cry

     While you're breakin' down my back n' I been rackin' out my brain
     It don't matter how we make it
     'Cause it always ends the same
     You can push it for more mileage
     But your flaps r' wearin' thin
     And I could sleep on it 'til mornin'
     But this nightmare never ends
     Don't forget to call my lawyers
     With ridiculous demands
     An you can take the pity so far
     But it's more than I can stand
     'Cause this couchtrip's gettin' older
     Tell me how long has it been
     'Cause 5 years is forever
     An you haven't grown up yet

     You could be mine
     But you're way out of line
     With your bitch slap rappin'
     And your cocaine tongue
     You get nothin' done
     I said you could be mine
     You should be
     You could be mine

     Yeah!

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Don't cry

If we could see tomorrow
     What of your plans
     No one can live in sorrow
     Ask all your friends
     Times that you took in stride
     They're back in demand
     I was the one who's washing
     Blood off your hands

     Don't you cry tonight
     I still love you baby
     Don't you cry tonight
     Don't you cry tonight
     There's a heaven above you baby
     And don't you cry tonight

     I know the things you wanted
     They're not what you have
     With all the people talkin'
     It's drivin' you mad
     If I was standin' by you
     How would you feel
     Knowing your love's decided
     And all love is real

     An don't you cry tonight
     Don't you cry tonight
     Don't you cry tonight
     There's a heaven above you baby
     And don't you cry tonight

     I thought I could live in your world
     As years all went by
     With all the voices I've heard
     Something has died
     And when you're in need of someone
     My heart won't deny you
     So many seem so lonely
     With no one left to cry to baby

     An don't you cry tonight
     An don't you cry tonight
     An don't you cry tonight
     There's a heaven above you baby
     And don't you cry
     Don't you ever cry
     Don't you cry tonight
     Baby maybe someday
     Don't you cry
     Don't you ever cry
     Don't you cry
     Tonight

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My world

You wan'da step into my world
     It's a sociopsychotic state of bliss
     You've been delayed in the real world
     How many times have you hit and missed?
     You cat-scan shows disfiguration
     I wanna laugh myself to death
     With a misfired synapse
     with a bent configuration
     I'll hold the line while you gasp for breath
     You wanna talk to me
     So talk to me
     You wanna talk to me (7 times)
     You can't talk to me
     You don't understand your sex
     You ain't been mindfucked yet
     Let's do it (3 times)
     Oh my distorted smile

     Guess what I'm doing now

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    Copyright Guns N' Roses 1991