Madagascar

i love this song the quotes are so haunting. the ones from civil war really struck me. it was a faint reminder of what guns n roses used to be, its actually kinda sad because its like heres what we used to be and we will never be that again. and the other quotes just make me think, this is a really good song, axl rose is a genius, i dont care what you all think but i believe he is.

The way I interpret this song, is about Axl and the original band members of GNR. Madagascar has broken off from Africa and is drifting away. The lyrics fit this, but Axl isn't drifting away from the other members, they are already separated with a strong disdain for each other so I doubt if this is what Axl had in mind when writing. It could be about him drifting away from somebody more personal though.

This song is very clearly Axl's response to those who say he's "lost it."

It's him saying "fuck you, I'm not going to listen to you tell me that this new Guns N' Roses is worthless. I won't listen to you tell me I'm crazy. I won't listen to you call me names in the media. And I definitely won't let you tell me that I'll never put this album out and I'll never be able to reclaim my place in the music world again.

He blesses those who tried to bring him down, but he also laments the fact that he had to lose those people, like his fans and former bandmates. He's saying "I found a way", like I've finally put together this album and gotten to this point after so many years, but why did it have to be this way? "Mired in denial and so afraid". Why did I have to lose everyone around me to get here?

When he says "if we ever find it's true that we have the strength to choose, freed of all the chains, we held together", he seems to be actually opening up a window of reconciliation with his old bandmates. It's as if he's saying "Look, if the time ever comes where we can finally speak to eachother again, at least we can remember that back in the old days, we were a tight knit group."

It's a sad song about a man alone, fighting against the odds.

Madagascar II soundtrack

THIS IS TOTAL OPPOSITE TO "SORRY"

Forgive them that tear down my soul Bless them that they might grow old

Yep. All those shitty newspapers, fake fans or simply those who for such a long time enjoyed ignoring and criticizin axl rose, be blessed. They act as if the fact axl is older and therefore is not the same he was back in the 80's is somethin unusual. Well, guess wat, everybody grows old. Go see a Gn'R concert this year and you'll see what a 44 year old can still do with the greatest rock band ever. And yes, by the band I mean the new members, cause the new gn'r are the best thing in the nowadays music scene.

ROCK ON!

what is up with the people sayin new gnr sucks i love them yeah salsh is gone but still there is better and the song is about him sayin hes not gonna let pople bring him down.

Although I see the parallels with the GnR band situation, I find it hard to believe that that's what this song is about. That interpretation makes no sense considering the sound clips during the instrumental section. The music and lyrics are way too epic to be about something so trivial. I think there is a definite anti-hatred and/or anti-racism message in this song, but I haven't yet put my finger on exactly what I think it means.

Correct and complete lyrics from the album.

I won't be told anymore, That I've been brought down in this storm, And left so far out from the shore, But I can't find my way back, my way anymore

Oh no I won't be told anymore, That I've been brought down in this storm, And left so far out from the shore, Oh that I can't find my way back, my way anymore no

Oh I, 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've searched and found the ways, You used to lure me in. Oh, I've found the ways. Oh, why it had to be My'd own denial, and so afraid

If we ever find it's true, that we have the strength to choose, Oh, free of all the chains, we have to 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..."

"That power that can make a way out of no way"

"Failure to communicate"

"I tell you I've seen the lightning flash, I've heard the thunder roar"

"Everybody's actin' like we can do anything and it don't matter what we do. Maybe we gotta be extra careful, because maybe it matters more than 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 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, freed of all 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 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, freed of all the chains) That I can't find my way back, my way anymore (We held together)

Great song from a great album... Kinda goes to show Axl didnt necissarily need Slash after all... I'm glad it turned out the way it did cos for something that took 10 years to make... well the expectations were high to say the least.. Good show Alx. Cant wait for the next Gn'R album!!... And how's Slash's form playing Gunners songs at his live shows.. pmpl Enough Slash-bashing... Ilove the guy seriously, just kinda strikes me as finny is all... wish they all would bury the hatchet and tour as Gn'R proper (with Adler included).