Guns N’ Roses Songs Ranked
Guns N’ Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1985. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band comprised vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Guns N’ Roses’ debut album, Appetite for Destruction (1987), reached number one on the Billboard 200 a year after its release, on the strength of the Top 10 singles “Welcome to the Jungle”, “Paradise City”, and “Sweet Child o’ Mine”, the band’s only single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.Their next studio album, G N’ R Lies (1988), reached number two on the Billboard 200, and included the Top 5 hit “Patience”. Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II, recorded simultaneously and released in 1991, debuted at number two and number one on the Billboard 200 respectively. Here are Guns N’ Roses songs ranked from worst to best.
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20. Pretty Tied Up (Use Your Illusion II, 1991)
“Mindblowing song. Very catchy, changes tempo multiple times effortlessly. Love listening to this, high volume in the car – my guilty pleasure! Underrated. One of my favorite songs written by Izzy Stradlin. It really shows the potential he had as a songwriter.
19. Used to Love Her (G N’ R Lies, 1992)
“Funny song when you don’t take it seriously like I did when I first listened to it and was like, “What is this?! ” Kinda the song you wanna dedicate to your girlfriend sometimes. This song is so cleverly written and fun to listen to. I love the stark contrast from the dark lyrics to the breezy, fun (almost relaxing) tone of the music itself.”
18. Yesterdays (Use Your Illusion II, 1991)
“Yesterdays” is a sweet, nostalgic song reflecting on old memories and the realization that you don’t get time back once it’s gone. Between the metaphors and the rhyming, it’s hard not to catch yourself lost in Rose’s words. Once of my favorite’s from the album.
17. It’s So Easy (Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
“My friend’s favorite Guns N’ Roses song. I love the bass line, as well as the way Axl’s singing. Guitar parts rock too. It’s done perfectly. Wish it could be a bit longer though, although who knows, that could have ruined it. The mean lyrics kick ass, especially the second verse. I think it would be a good opener actually. But definitely is right next to Jungle in best songs ever.”
16. My Michelle (Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
“Great song, AMAZING guitar riff by slash, everything written about ‘Michelle’ in the song is true. the original version was a song about how sweet she was, but Axl decided he’d rather write the truth. This song is so raw and brutal with a killer opening and great lyrics, absolutely love it.
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15. Live and Let Die (Use Your Illusion I, 1991)
“Not as good as the original, but a nice take on it. Sir Paul McCartney’s versions not perfect either, I wish there was a version that was across between them. I thought this was a slow song (which I don’t like slow songs, I love the fast metal or anything else fast.) Then I heard it on radio and I start head banging. LOL SO GOOD!
14. Coma (Use Your Illusion, 1991)
“This song immediately grabs you tight and doesn’t release you until the whole song is finished. Although it is 10 minutes long there is no moment it gets boring. I’ve always liked the combination of Axl Rose’s voice and Slash’ guitar skills, and this is one of the songs that shows me why.”
13. Rocket Queen (Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
“This song is so great! Sickest main riff and bass line. First half is so dirty and wild but the second is romantic and emotional, joined by a tension building bridge that makes you believe that the second part will be the same as the first, but you are suddenly blown away by cleaner guitar and vocals with meaningful lyrics. Slash’s solo is really solid too, the list goes on, but that last 2:50 is the most perfect moment in rock and roll history.”
12. Mr. Brownstone (Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
“It has everything, a catchy riff, a good solo and a smart vocals. I love the line: I used to do a little but the little wouldn’t do it so that little got more and more. I love it. Every time I play it on guitar, people love it. The kind of song that just makes you feel like ‘F yeah not a care in the world. Vocals aren’t fantastic in the song but with great riff backing it up, good work from Adler on the drums and Duffs bass.
11. Nightrain (Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
“This song will make me happy on the saddest of days. One of the best Guns N’ Roses songs ever. Solo comes in quicker than expected but it is really better that way. Appetite for destruction just shows how good an album it is and Guns N’ Roses shows how good a bang it is.”
10. Patience (Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
“This song is a good song, don’t get me wrong, but it became my all time favorite seeing it live in Tokyo in 1992. The live version is on YouTube, and Tokyo 1992 is by far Guns n’ Roses’ best live performance. I encourage you to watch the version that includes Gilby Clarke and Slash performing Wild Horses right before Patience. All in all, Guns n’ Roses’ best song!”
9. You Could Be Mine (Use Your Illusion II, 1991)
“Brilliant song! Really gets the blood pumping! You can tell they wrote it around the time of writing all the songs on Appetite and it could easily have been on that album. Terminator 2 was my favourite movie for a long time and it had the added bonus of having this song in it. T2 and You Could Be Mine: the perfect combination!”
8. Don’t Cry (Use Your Illusion I, 1991)
” It was a girl that Izzy was going out with that Axl really, really lIked. We’ve all met one special girl that we won’t ever forget, every single one of us; and for Axl, she was it. When Izzy and he girl broke up, Axl asked her out and on their first date, she told him its not going to work out. He just put aside his masculinity for a minuet and started crying, and she told him “don’t cry”. The next day Axl and Izzy got together and wrote the song in five minuets. Axl has a lot attached to this song, and when he sings it, you can hear that he’s giving it his all. He just gives so much when he sings this song, at the very end he sings notes I didn’t even know we’re humanly possible to sing. He forgets about everything else in the world and just sings. The song is about a woman leaving a man. Gives me chills every time. This song is a true masterpiece.”
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7. Civil War (Use Your Illusion II, 1991)
“I know, people know Guns N’ Roses from Welcome To The Jungle, Sweet Child O’ Mine and November Rain. Estranged is their masterpiece and Don’t Cry is beautiful. But if you ask for my favorite, I’ll choose Civil War. I love the whole song from speech, intro, verse, bridge, solo, outro, and Axl’s question in the end. It’s a meaningful and graceful song.”
6. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Use Your Illusion II, 1991)
“One of my favourites songs of all time.. It has amazing lyrics.. And I’m not even starting about the guitar pieces! One of the best bands that ever existed! Great remake of an older song, great vocal, amazing guitar (slash is a genius).
5. Estranged (Use Your Illusion II, 1991)
“A long song, but my most listened to song of all time. I love everything about this song, the contrast between the two halves split up by a wonderful piano solo, 4 incredible solos and fine lyrics and voice work from Axl. The band really out did themselves with this absolute gem.
4. Paradise City (Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
“This song is one of the best Guns N’ Roses tune of all time. The intro soothes you and then out of nowhere its suddenly time to rock. Then if that wasn’t enough the speed picks up 3 quarters through and if you can stay sane then then you are not a rock fan. This song ROCKS. End of story.
3. Welcome to the Jungle (Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
“I can’t think of a better song to encapsulate all of Appetite, Guns and Roses and the entire genre of rock than this. Its got everything: a great intro that gives way to a killer riff, a quiet sort of part in the middle that leads into a solo, and one of the most tense bridges I have ever heard. This is where the worlds most dangerous band began.”
2. November Rain (Use Your Illusion I, 1991)
“The most meaningful, powerful, moving and touching song of any band to date. Truly an unparalleled masterpiece. Perfect to listen to with a loved one, with friends, alone, before a big game, when you’re down or in any setting really. It carries its own significance to each listener, and let’s not forget the guitar solos. Mesmerizing and inspiring whether played on a guitar, piano, even a clarinet. History was made when this song came out.”
1. Sweet Child O’ Mine (Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
“What can be said about this that hasn’t been said already? Legendary is the only word. The greatest riff of all time. Bar none. A great love song and it really shows the reason this song is so popular. A great feel good song. The solo is one of the greatest of all time and the ending sprinkles a bit of hardcore Guns N Roses. A truly amazing song.”
