Catcher In The Rye

obviously you guys didnt read J.D. Salinger's book "The Catcher In The Rye"

yes its true the song does talk about John Lenon. but this song is also a reference to the book itself.

for example "Took our innocence", in the book. the main character says he wants to be "the catcher in the rye" because he wants to catch children from falling off a cliff. this symbolizes how he wants to catch children from falling out of innocence, when they grow up.

another example "That needed comfort from somebody And needed comfort from someone" throughout the whole book the main character is on his own and is in need to express his feelings to someone however he shields himself with a barrier of cynicism.

he sees the world as a phony place which brings me to "We're not the only ones Who look at life this way"

unless you guys read the book you guys wont know what im talking about

This is the best song that was leaked...I can't stop listening to it.

Axl said himself in december of 2008 on Mygnrforum.com that it has several meanings. He didn't write it about one certain thing, he said the end verse is about Lennon's death, but that's it. The rest is about innocense.

Quote from Axl about this song: For me the song is inspired by what's referred to sometimes as Holden Caulfield syndrome. I feel there's a possibility that how the writing is structured with the thinking of the main character could somehow reprogram for lack of a better word some who may be a bit more vulnerable, with a skewed way of thinking and tried to allow myself to go what may be there or somewhat close during the verses. I'd think for most those lines are enjoyed as just venting, blowing off steam, humor or some type of entertainment where it may be how others seriously live in their minds. The bridge b4 the solo is an artistic interpretation of a institutionalized mind. The outro is a tribute to Lennon and an indictment of the author for writing what i feel is utter garbage and I agree whole heartedly that it should be discontinued as required reading in schools. That's my take, I could be completely wrong, I do realize that the song and title could have the next poor soul reading the book and feeling inspired to make an unfortunate statement. So there's the catch I guess.

It's about John Lennon and Mark Chapman. Axl got inspiration to write the song after watching a documentary about Lennon's death and Chapman's obsession with the book Catcher in the Rye. The verses are, as Axl says, like from Holden's perspective (Holden being the main character in the book).

The final verse is talking more directly about Lennon's murder and the impact it had.

I was looking at the old song Comin' Thru the Rye

Gin[C] a body meet a body Comin thro' the rye, Gin a body kiss a body, Need a body cry?[D]

The old song was about teenagers meeting in the fields of rye to make out.

Salinger changed it too Catch a body coming through the rye, as in stop them growing up.

Axl changed it to

"Somebody Took a body" turning it back on Salinger. I always thought that was smart, given what the song is about, even presented in this composite form.

This song is apparently about Mark Chapman and the murder of John Lennon.

Brian May plays lead guitar.

I think that the "Some type of moment/There ya got it/The only thing you did" lines are actually "Sometimes we only/think we got it all/When no-one else is there". But yeah, it's my fav leaked song too.

i dnt have it, whered u get it from?

it's gotta have something to do with the lennon murder by chapman. chapman said the book 'the catcher in the rye' was some sort of influence or something.