.

A Look Back at 1991 as New Guns N' Roses Single "Better" Premieres

November 17, 2008 1:05 PM ET

It's T-minus six days until Guns n' Roses' Chinese Democracy hits Best Buy shelves, and the next taste is live online. "Better" is the second official single from the long-awaited album, and like it's predecessor "Chinese Democracy" it has been floating around in unfinished versions for years. Also like the first single, "Better" feels like classic Guns n' Roses — Rose's growling croon in the verses could have floated out of the Use Your Illusion sessions. While you're rocking out to "Better," think about what the world was like the last time Axl put out an original album, which was way back in September of 1991. Think about it: One of the Jonas Brothers hadn't been born yet, Bill Clinton was still just a guy from Arkansas who had no shot at winning a national election and it would be years before Jason Voorhees went to hell or space.

Related Stories:
• Adler and Stradlin Weigh in on Democracy
• Album Review: Guns N' Roses, Chinese Democracy
• AC/DC Hit Big With Retail Exclusive - Will Guns N' Roses Follow?
• Dr. Pepper Reveals Free Chinese Democracy Soda Plan

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

prev
The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach Announces Solo Debut, Tour Dates
Music Main Next
Slash, Billy Gibbons Jam for Les Paul at Rock Hall's American Music Masters Concert

Picks From Around the Web


blog comments powered by Disqus
Daily Newsletter

Get the latest RS news in your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Rolling Stone newsletter and special offers from RS and its
marketing partners.

X

We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.

Most Popular

Photos & Videos

Go To Content

Random Notes: Hottest Rock Pictures

Go To Content Play Video

Video: Dave Grohl Sits in With the Rolling Stones

Go To Content

Gallery: 'Born Sinner' Series by J. Cole

Best Ever Lists
100 Greatest Beatles Songs

Other Lists

Song Stories

“Tonight's the Night”

The Shirelles | 1960

The lead cut and title track from this girl group's debut album, "Tonight's the Night" was written by 19-year-old bandmember Shirley Owens, who sings lead, and producer Luther Dixon. The band from Passaic, New Jersey met in high school, first calling themselves the Pequellos. The song's frank thoughts about sexual and emotional surrender was racy for the time, but that didn't stop the Chiffons from cutting a similar version immediately after the original came out. "We were the first female group to write some of our own material," band member Beverly Lee recalls. "We did have some say-so in our writing."

More Song Stories entries »