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 and tear
Up to my neck in sorrow
The touch you bring
You just don't step inside to, to fourteen 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
Fourteen years of silence
It's been
Fourteen years of pain
It's been
Fourteen years that are gone forever
And I'll never have again, well

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 don't just step inside to, to fourteen 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
Fourteen years of silence
It's been
Fourteen years of pain
It's been
Fourteen years that are gone forever
And I'll never have again, well

Yeah it's been, oh no!

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 four years of madness
Sure put me straight
You don't get back fourteen years
In just one day
So hard to keep my own head
Just go away
You know, just like a hooker she said
Nothin' is free
Oh I tried to see it your way
I tried to see it your way


Lyrics submitted by mike

14 Years Lyrics as written by Saul Hudson W. Axl Rose

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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14 Years song meanings
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  • +4
    General Comment

    This song is about Izzy and Axl's friendship, that, around 1990, had been going on for 14 years. Izzy had written this track, called Axl and Axl told him he was also writing one song called 14 Years. So, Izzy mixed his (which was finished) with some parts of Axl's and there you have it.

    Now, in 2006, this could very well represent GNR's situation:

    "I was the dog... they all tried to beat" - GNR was on top of the world by 1991

    "But it's been 14 years of silence" - It's been 14 and a half years since GNR last released original material

    "It's been 14 years of pain" - For us, GNR fans, seeing the original band break apart

    "Bullshit and contemplation Gossip's their trade If they knew half the real truth What would they say" - So many things have happened and only they know it. There has been so much speculation around GNR, yet none is particularly accurate

    "These last 4 years of madness Sure put me straight" - It's been 4 years since the failed 2002 tour. I hope they have really put Axl straight, cause I'm seeing GNR at Rock In Rio and I want Axl to show up

    Anyway, this is Izzy on top of his game. Great lyrics, probably the best out of all GNR songs, and he sound great singing as well.

    wwbon April 12, 2006   Link

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