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 pay
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 were 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 in)

I've got a wicked demon inside that 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 were 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 in)

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 in)

I want you to stop and help out with doing what you want to do
No one is guilty here now, there's nothing new 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 in)

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 in)

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Lyrics submitted by rotinhellorg

Shackler's Revenge Lyrics as written by Bryan Kei Mantia Brian Patrick Carroll

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Shackler's Revenge song meanings

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10 Comments

+4
General Comment
Obviously this song is about an alienated person who ends up losing it, and shooting up a school, office, etc. Axl then writes that "I don't believe there's a reason" which i believe means that he doesnt know if there is a for sure reason why people go nuts and mass murder (like columbine, or virginia tech, or any serial killer), even though we should know the reason. Axl really shows off his vocal range here, starting low and then using his trademark scream. Really awesome track. It's great to hear his voice again. It's so distinct, and so needed in today's suffering rock genre. This is in Rock Band II, and it will be really hard for someone to sing and copy axl's range. Good luck. I can't wait to pick up this album when it comes out. The first meaningful rock album to come out in a very long time. Good luck Guns n' Roses, many people are pulling for you.

Obviously this song is about an alienated person who ends up losing it, and shooting up a school, office, etc. Axl then writes that "I don't believe there's a reason" which i believe means that he doesnt know if there is a for sure reason why people go nuts and mass murder (like columbine, or virginia tech, or any serial killer), even though we should know the reason. Axl really shows off his vocal range here, starting low and then using his trademark scream. Really awesome track. It's great to hear his voice again. It's so distinct, and so needed in today's suffering rock genre. This is in Rock Band II, and it will be really hard for someone to sing and copy axl's range. Good luck. I can't wait to pick up this album when it comes out. The first meaningful rock album to come out in a very long time. Good luck Guns n' Roses, many people are pulling for you.

Reason:

axlsbrainon August 25, 2008 Link
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@axlsbrain

I feel like the bit about "I don't believe there's a reason" means that he doesn't believe that there's a reason why people should alienate the narrator the way they did. I mean, thinking back to the Columbine shootings, what was the reason for the boys to be picks on? They were different. There's no reason to pick on those kids, and when you push someone that far, they will eventually snap.

Mathos22on August 08, 2011
+3
General Comment
Axl said this song is about all the school shootings and how Guns N' Roses was partly blamed for influencing one of the shooters because he (Virgina Tech shooter) had written a play entitled "Mr. Brownstone." The first half of the song is in the voice of the shooter, while the second half is Axl's own comments.

Axl said this song is about all the school shootings and how Guns N' Roses was partly blamed for influencing one of the shooters because he (Virgina Tech shooter) had written a play entitled "Mr. Brownstone." The first half of the song is in the voice of the shooter, while the second half is Axl's own comments.

Reason:

Joe K. on December 29, 2008 Link
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@Joe K.

Anyone have a link to the source of what Joe K. said?

percepteson January 04, 2009

I don't have a link. Axl said it in one of his online chats with the fans. It should be online somewhere.

Joe K. on January 29, 2009

Found it:

"Shackler’s was inspired by the insanity of senseless school shootings and also the media trying desperately to make more out of one shooter’s preference for the Guns song Brownstone to no avail.

That said, listening for my own enjoyment or if we were to make a video or performing it I lean more to the entertainment of a horror flick or something like Dexter, something with an interesting menacing character as opposed to real life."

Source: gunsnroses.us/news/…

percepteson September 03, 2009
+1
General Comment
It is clearly a mass shooter sharing his thoughts and intentions. The only question is whether it's an indictment or a justification for those thoughts and intentions. The song doesn't seem to condemn mass shootings in any way and takes very matter-of-fact that the shooter is going to die at some point in the attack ("I've got an empty feeling I won't be home today"), like it's just part of the process. The lyrics, "No one is stopping you from a-doing what you want to do. No one is stopping you, now..." honestly feels like an invitation to follow through on the mass slaying. I don't know. Neither Axl (William Rose/Bailey) nor Buckethead (Brian Carroll) are known for their civic responsibility, but I'd like to think that this is one of those "cautionary" songs illustrating the horrors that mass murderers perpetrate, and not rebelliously justifying the underlying motivations thereof. Oh, and @axlsbrain, I appreciate the wish of "good luck" in hitting Axl's voice and range. Turns out I did it...perfectly. I sound more like him than he does! No way, you say? Trust me, I wouldn't believe it, either, if someone claimed that. Here, check this out; it's not 'Shackler's Revenge', but you'll get the picture: youtube.com/watch?v=UWSOLTcoaDk

It is clearly a mass shooter sharing his thoughts and intentions. The only question is whether it's an indictment or a justification for those thoughts and intentions. The song doesn't seem to condemn mass shootings in any way and takes very matter-of-fact that the shooter is going to die at some point in the attack ("I've got an empty feeling I won't be home today"), like it's just part of the process. The lyrics, "No one is stopping you from a-doing what you want to do. No one is stopping you, now..." honestly feels like an invitation to follow through on the mass slaying. I don't know. Neither Axl (William Rose/Bailey) nor Buckethead (Brian Carroll) are known for their civic responsibility, but I'd like to think that this is one of those "cautionary" songs illustrating the horrors that mass murderers perpetrate, and not rebelliously justifying the underlying motivations thereof. Oh, and <a href="/profiles/view/17274705/?mention=d521f51dbabb94bcba598f00cf3d37b6" id="userprofile-17274705" rel="me nofollow" title="@axlsbrain" >@axlsbrain</a>, I appreciate the wish of "good luck" in hitting Axl's voice and range. Turns out I did it...perfectly. I sound more like him than he does! No way, you say? Trust me, I wouldn't believe it, either, if someone claimed that. Here, check this out; it's not 'Shackler's Revenge', but you'll get the picture: youtube.com/watch?v=UWSOLTcoaDk

Reason:

MillionVoiceson September 02, 2022 Link
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@MillionVoices
0
General Comment
I have Axl's range, I can go higher too, but it's not a scream, so not as cool. I am so jealous of him. the lucky bitch.

I have Axl's range, I can go higher too, but it's not a scream, so not as cool. I am so jealous of him. the lucky bitch.

Reason:

wowomgon October 21, 2008 Link
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@wowomg

That's right. Damn that bitch.

kanamon January 18, 2009

@wowomg????

ArtemisDrumson February 13, 2023

@wowomg Meant 2 type the LOL emoji

ArtemisDrumson February 13, 2023
0
My Opinion
From my perusal of numerous internet forums, this song took a heavy beating from a lot of fans, but I think it's interesting. I like it.

From my perusal of numerous internet forums, this song took a heavy beating from a lot of fans, but I think it's interesting. I like it.

Reason:

Marinerson November 23, 2008 Link
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@Mariners
0
General Comment
This song is Axl's little affirmation to himself: "you're doing the right thing". "I gotta itchy finger and there'll be Hell to pay. I'm gonna pull the trigger and blow them all away" seems to be him blowing away the competition, whether that's Slash and his new band or just the new rock bands in general or even just anyone who ever doubted him. He's saying he's going to blow them away with his new band, who he thinks is better than anything out there. The "wicked demon" whose "hunger never fades" seems to be his desire, his musical instinct. "Don't ever try to tell me how much you care for me/were there for me" seems to be his message to anyone who ever turned their back on him: "When I'm back on top, don't come crawling back to me, because you abandoned me when I was down. Fuck you." "No one is stopping you now from doing what you want to do": This line is the clearest part to me. He's saying "fuck the band. Now I don't have to listen to them or anyone. This band is mine now and we'll follow my direction from this point forward." Again, Chinese Democracy is two parts: One part analyzing his failed romances, the other part analyzing the demise of the original Guns lineup.

This song is Axl's little affirmation to himself: "you're doing the right thing". "I gotta itchy finger and there'll be Hell to pay. I'm gonna pull the trigger and blow them all away" seems to be him blowing away the competition, whether that's Slash and his new band or just the new rock bands in general or even just anyone who ever doubted him. He's saying he's going to blow them away with his new band, who he thinks is better than anything out there. The "wicked demon" whose "hunger never fades" seems to be his desire, his musical instinct. "Don't ever try to tell me how much you care for me/were there for me" seems to be his message to anyone who ever turned their back on him: "When I'm back on top, don't come crawling back to me, because you abandoned me when I was down. Fuck you." "No one is stopping you now from doing what you want to do": This line is the clearest part to me. He's saying "fuck the band. Now I don't have to listen to them or anyone. This band is mine now and we'll follow my direction from this point forward." Again, Chinese Democracy is two parts: One part analyzing his failed romances, the other part analyzing the demise of the original Guns lineup.

Reason:

John Koutrison November 23, 2008 Link
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@John Koutris
0
General Comment
i dont think this is about killing people, that thought never crossed my mind until i read other peoples comments. my first thought was realtionship when i heard this, and im gonna stick to my thoughts cause i believe its somewhere along that line, if that made any sense. this is my favorite song on chinese democracy

i dont think this is about killing people, that thought never crossed my mind until i read other peoples comments. my first thought was realtionship when i heard this, and im gonna stick to my thoughts cause i believe its somewhere along that line, if that made any sense. this is my favorite song on chinese democracy

Reason:

julianpanion November 26, 2008 Link
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@julianpani
0
General Comment
This song is confusing. It begins with ominous marilyn manson-esque lyrics then goes to more standard GNR stuff,

This song is confusing. It begins with ominous marilyn manson-esque lyrics then goes to more standard GNR stuff,

Reason:

mailedbypostmanon November 29, 2008 Link
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@mailedbypostman
0
General Comment
It's about getting revenge after years of taking shit. Just read the lyrics, t's pretty sef explaitory.

It's about getting revenge after years of taking shit. Just read the lyrics, t's pretty sef explaitory.

Reason:

Sprite1on December 27, 2008 Link
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@Sprite1
0
General Comment
This is the only song Buckethead was given writing credit for. It reminds me a lot of him. I have to agree with the school shooting theory. It makes the most sense and is believable considering Buckethead's fascination with serial killers and things of those subjects.

This is the only song Buckethead was given writing credit for. It reminds me a lot of him. I have to agree with the school shooting theory. It makes the most sense and is believable considering Buckethead's fascination with serial killers and things of those subjects.

Reason:

DanStranger51on July 15, 2010 Link
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@DanStranger51