Mr. Brownstone
Encyclopedia
"Mr. Brownstone" is a song
written by American rock
band Guns N' Roses
. It appears on their 1987
album Appetite for Destruction
. Slash
relates that the song was written by him and Izzy Stradlin
while they were at Izzy and his girlfriend Desi's apartment. He states that they were sitting around, complaining about being heroin addicts, when they started improvising lyrics and music ("Brownstone" is a slang term for heroin). The lyrics make a clear reference to the tolerance that the drug causes in the verse that says:"I used to do a little, but a little wouldn't do, so the little got more and more. I just keep trying to get a little better, said a little better than before". When they had the lyrics all together, they wrote it down on the back of a grocery bag and brought it to Axl. Slash said the lyrics describe a typical day in the life of Slash and Izzy. He also states that it was the first song the band wrote after being signed by Geffen Records
.
Mr. Brownstone was the first Guns N' Roses single in the United Kingdom
, appearing as a double A-Side, alongside "It's So Easy
".
This song exhibits the Bo-Diddley beat originally created by Bo Diddley
. This beat is often-used in many rock songs starting from the 1960s
.
, it was released as a single only in the UK but was rather known as a B-Side to "It's So Easy
" and "Welcome to the Jungle
" around other parts in the world, it was neglected from their Greatest Hits
album possibly due to the fact it was a UK only single.
have also played this song live with Izzy Stradlin
making a guest appearance on one occasion. Steven Adler
's solo band Adler's Appetite
performs this song on their set list.
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
written by American rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
. It appears on their 1987
1987 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1987.See also:Record labels established in 1987-January-February:*January 3 – Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
album Appetite for Destruction
Appetite for Destruction
Appetite for Destruction is the debut studio album by American rock band Guns N' Roses, released in July 1987 on Geffen Records. It was well-received by critics and topped the American Billboard 200 chart...
. Slash
Slash (musician)
Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
relates that the song was written by him and Izzy Stradlin
Izzy Stradlin
Jeffrey Dean Isbell , known by his stage name Izzy Stradlin, is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the co-founder and former rhythm guitarist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, which he left at the height of its fame in 1991. Following his departure, he led his own band Izzy...
while they were at Izzy and his girlfriend Desi's apartment. He states that they were sitting around, complaining about being heroin addicts, when they started improvising lyrics and music ("Brownstone" is a slang term for heroin). The lyrics make a clear reference to the tolerance that the drug causes in the verse that says:"I used to do a little, but a little wouldn't do, so the little got more and more. I just keep trying to get a little better, said a little better than before". When they had the lyrics all together, they wrote it down on the back of a grocery bag and brought it to Axl. Slash said the lyrics describe a typical day in the life of Slash and Izzy. He also states that it was the first song the band wrote after being signed by Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
.
Mr. Brownstone was the first Guns N' Roses single in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, appearing as a double A-Side, alongside "It's So Easy
It's So Easy
-Personnel:* Axl Rose - lead vocals* Izzy Stradlin - rhythm guitar, backing vocals* Slash - lead guitar* Duff McKagan - bass, backing vocals* Steven Adler - drums-Cover versions:...
".
This song exhibits the Bo-Diddley beat originally created by Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley
Ellas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
. This beat is often-used in many rock songs starting from the 1960s
1960s
The 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
.
Single Release
"Mr. Brownstone" was not released as a single worldwide like all the other singles from Appetite for DestructionAppetite for Destruction
Appetite for Destruction is the debut studio album by American rock band Guns N' Roses, released in July 1987 on Geffen Records. It was well-received by critics and topped the American Billboard 200 chart...
, it was released as a single only in the UK but was rather known as a B-Side to "It's So Easy
It's So Easy
-Personnel:* Axl Rose - lead vocals* Izzy Stradlin - rhythm guitar, backing vocals* Slash - lead guitar* Duff McKagan - bass, backing vocals* Steven Adler - drums-Cover versions:...
" and "Welcome to the Jungle
Welcome to the Jungle
"Welcome to the Jungle" is a song by American rock band Guns N' Roses, featured on its 1987 debut studio album, Appetite for Destruction. It was released as the band's second single on October 3, 1987, and reached number #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number #24 on the UK Singles Chart...
" around other parts in the world, it was neglected from their Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Guns N' Roses album)
-Notes:*"Ain't It Fun" was censored for the compilation: "Ain't it fun when you tell her she's just a cunt" became "Ain't it fun when you tell her she's just a–", with guitar notes at 3:36 instead of the final word in the line. This version had never been officially released before, but had...
album possibly due to the fact it was a UK only single.
Live
Although it was never released as a worldwide single, "Mr. Brownstone" is a staple at Guns N' Roses shows. It has been on the setlist at nearly every show since 1986 and is usually played early during the set. Velvet RevolverVelvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver is an American hard rock supergroup consisting of former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, alongside Dave Kushner formerly of punk band Wasted Youth. Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland was Velvet Revolver's lead singer from their formation until...
have also played this song live with Izzy Stradlin
Izzy Stradlin
Jeffrey Dean Isbell , known by his stage name Izzy Stradlin, is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the co-founder and former rhythm guitarist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, which he left at the height of its fame in 1991. Following his departure, he led his own band Izzy...
making a guest appearance on one occasion. Steven Adler
Steven Adler
Steven Adler is an American musician. He is best known as the former drummer of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s...
's solo band Adler's Appetite
Adler's Appetite
Adler's Appetite, previously Suki Jones, is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2003. As of 2011, the lineup consists of Patrick Stone , Michael Thomas , Lonnie Paul , Chip Z'nuff and Steven Adler...
performs this song on their set list.