Actually your all wrong. It's actually a song hitting out at critics who called them an overnight success and who say they would just be a flash in the pan. 14 years refers to the time spent as "the beggar" and "the thief" and as "as the dog... they all tried to beat" (possible referring to jailtime) and of course as "the dealer hangin' on your street". Basically all the shit the band went through before they were successful. The second verse refers to "stupid girlfriends" and parents who think they won't last long. The last verse is about the lies printed about their past (If they knew half the real truth what would they say) and the "last four years of madness" since the release of Appetite For Destruction when they became successful. At a 1991 concert in los angeles, axl introduced the song by saying "This is for all of those who, have the impression that we're any form of an overnight success, this is called 14 Years."
Doesn't have to so exact. Maybe it refers to about 14 years of each member trying to make it in the rock world or something. Not limited to just GNR years.
Doesn't have to so exact. Maybe it refers to about 14 years of each member trying to make it in the rock world or something. Not limited to just GNR years.
Actually your all wrong. It's actually a song hitting out at critics who called them an overnight success and who say they would just be a flash in the pan. 14 years refers to the time spent as "the beggar" and "the thief" and as "as the dog... they all tried to beat" (possible referring to jailtime) and of course as "the dealer hangin' on your street". Basically all the shit the band went through before they were successful. The second verse refers to "stupid girlfriends" and parents who think they won't last long. The last verse is about the lies printed about their past (If they knew half the real truth what would they say) and the "last four years of madness" since the release of Appetite For Destruction when they became successful. At a 1991 concert in los angeles, axl introduced the song by saying "This is for all of those who, have the impression that we're any form of an overnight success, this is called 14 Years."
But the band hadn't been together for even close to 14 years when they wrote the song.
But the band hadn't been together for even close to 14 years when they wrote the song.
Doesn't have to so exact. Maybe it refers to about 14 years of each member trying to make it in the rock world or something. Not limited to just GNR years.
Doesn't have to so exact. Maybe it refers to about 14 years of each member trying to make it in the rock world or something. Not limited to just GNR years.
@paulmartin THat's a really interesting thought... :)
@paulmartin THat's a really interesting thought... :)