Guns N' Roses-Civil War (1989, Demo)

[brunoblood]

And in my first memories

They shot Kennedy

I went numb when I learned to see..

[1006195]

i never get sick of the intro. :p its effen great

[1006195]

@fairta2: you said Wisin and Yandel? xD HAHAHA, thats a good one that i HATE!! ima give you thumbs up for saying those two basterds. xD

[1006195]

i <3 / (slash) xD

[Ted7864]

was this really 1986?? My understanding is this was written for an album to support the Romanian Relief Fund (support for the Romanian Revolution victims). The Romanian Revolution did not occur until December 1989 so I would guess this was written sometime in early 1990 around the time UYI albums were being written/ worked on.

[naangnr]

THIS IS rock n' roll.

[YGK96]

To be honest, I like this version better than the one made in the 90's.

[TimBuktu666]

slash said in his biography something like: "I wish somebody would upload those old demo songs from the Ilusion albums. they sound more like the original idea. without all the studio shit and stupid efects..." its so true

[Suomiboy100]

@TimBuktu666 I agree..this is what Guns N' Roses was all abt..but explain me one thing: Slash said, that he made parts for this during tokyo 88? never heard they started making Civil war in 86..

[TimBuktu666]

@Suomiboy100 they said a lot of songs like november rain and don´t cry didnt make it on the appetite album. maybe also civil war

[Suomiboy100]

@TimBuktu666 yeah, I know! but never heard abt civil war, I only heard Slash started to make this song during tokyo 88...

[upyanuts]

@TimBuktu666 that was a great book by Slash!

[stoningtonj]

this is sooo much more raw....love it....i miss stripped down raw GnR....UYI's were too pretty.

[TheLostRebellion]

the song is fine just like this, they really over produced the UYI albums

[soothslayer21]

This has Lars Ulrich whistling.

[MrAndreSChr]

This is not a 1986 demo... According to Slashs autobiography, they didnt start writing this song until they were touring AFD in Australia...

[TheLostRebellion]

@MrAndreSChr i was just gonna say tht, but i checked to see if anyone already did lol

[kblp]

Steven is 100000 times better than Matt and the Drummers in NEW GNR r good for nothing.

[Fallingshadowsband]

this song didnt even exist in 1986. Slash wrote the music on 1990 in australia, if I remember right

[dylanbrizzy]

@Fallingshadowsband Yeah thats true its in Slash's book. Pretty sure he came up with the riff at a sound check in Melbourne.

[shazmeister2005]

According to Slash this song was written 88/89ish, it is possible that some of the riffs or lyrics were dreamt up of before then but if Slash says it was written then we have to take that as being true, he was the one doing the writing after all... But yes a lot of the UYI songs were written during or before AFD, I believe that Axl said once that the first song him and Izzy wrote together as GNR was Dont Cry

[stormtatrai]

@shazmeister2005 Yer, check out the acoustic version of don't cry from 1985 and it is an actual show at a pub. It's quite good, but no one pays attention to them though, lol. and axl moves to the back of the stage, just to do his sway, haha

[89Sonic]

That was not made in 86. Probably 88 or 89...

[doglovermw]

@89Sonic 89

[MrEsteban122]

Somebody knows in which album i can foun this song?????

[rockfan7777]

@MrEsteban122 the regular version use your illusion two. this version i got on a cd on a website that no longer exists

[ehjoNutzername]

@rockfan7777 aaaah i got use your illusion 1 & 2 :D <3

[fairta2]

tu dices Lady Gaga -digo Guns N' Roses tu dices Miley Cyrus-digo Aerosmith tu dices Britney-digo Kiss tu dices Jonas-digo Metallica tu dices Wisin & Yandel-digo Iron Maiden tu dices Cumbia -digo Motley crue tu dices Salsa -Te grito Heavy Metal tu dices Tribal . Te reputeo !!!! El 92% de los adolecentes y otro NO tanto han cambiado a Hip Hop, Mugreton, Pop y cuanta mamada mas., si tu haces parte del 8% que todavia escucha musica de verdad copia y pega este mensaje en 10 videos.

[stormtatrai]

@fairta2 I don't know what that means, but I saw Miley Cyrus, so shut up...

[fairta2]

@MrEsteban122

checa use your ilussion 1

[rengaguns]

@MrEsteban122 use your ilusion II

[jprutal]

@MrEsteban122 use your illusion 2

[anusgurka]

is izzy doing the 2ond verse?? sound like it?

[NoName01071992]

@anusgurka he does also in the original version wich was recorded before he left right? or is that duff....i dunno....its a cool version this one :)

[Catlar79]

The song wasnt written in 86...

[saulhudson420]

@Catlar79 They wrote a lot of songs before they actually put them on an album. They were working on november rain from the begining of appetite.

[Catlar79]

@saulhudson420 You dont have to teach me about GNR. I know that they "put all their songs" on Illusion, but Civil War was NOT made in 86. Acording to Slash it was an instrumental Made befor the Japaneese Gig- 1988!!!

I believe Slash more than You.

[saulhudson420]

@Catlar79 Ok, no need to get ur panties in a twist.

[Thejigsaw456]

Sort of reminds me of iron maiden a bit but thats my opinion

[keedas2000]

Four people are obviously the victims of GENOCIDE.

[Blipware56]

Fucking beautiful

[iafspiojkli]

Sounds like Izzy is singing on the second verse.

[hardrockgnr95]

i love that demo!

[MrLpernigotti]

the intro of this song was written by slash in the end of 1988....in japan or australia is in the book "slash"

[lukasklarner]

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic ! ♫ ♥

[ivanhardrocker]

I think it had to be in the Appetite for Destruction.

[Disco234jockey]

I like the album version better.. cause Izzy added a few melodies over Slash's picking

[Disco234jockey]

r u sure it is 1986? I thought Civil War was written somewhere during or after the Appetite for Destruction tour?

[Lukith66]

@Disco234jockey i think this is '87, but when people put '86 they get more views¬¬ :D

[Daniienstein]

AMAZING !

[GrimsditchImages]

Axl's voice is fucking incredible in in this.

[philquinton]

1:50 gotta love that slide , beats the album version :D

[populvuh02]

@philquinton sounds like a pick scrape with wah

[cmpaller]

The 1990 version that was released with keyboards is good.

[dredayak18]

this demo is the sickest thing you'll ever hear along with the yesterdays demo.

[diconrbruc]

good version! i love this song civil war・・・・・

[SaintDrizzly]

Waaaaaaaay better then the album version.

Dizzy Reed was just not needed. Sorry.

[theZoftime]

@SaintDrizzly why are you sorry? im sure a lot of people agree, i know i do.

[kaaremann]

@SaintDrizzly he didn't even play on civil war on the album! ahha

[DarkoBrownstone]

Steven Adler on drums ;)

[PRed4t0R11]

just to clarify most of are u saying "if its 86 its steven" dudes every version of this song was steven even the released version it was the last song steven did with GN'Rs

[quix117]

@PRed4t0R11 Adler's drum track was heavily edited, as he was unable to play right.

[rgkooper]

@quix117 But still Steven ;)

[J1mneyCr1cket]

Its kinda funny how people are complaining that he got the year wrong, who gives a shit?

[95lexis]

this song is better than the original!!!!!!

[laurobutt]

very goodddddddddddddddd

[fukanesedragon]

Civil war was written in '90 in between lies and use your illusion, and yes steven played on it.

[PRed4t0R11]

@fukanesedragon it wasnt WRITTEN in 1990 idiot it was in 88

[fukanesedragon]

@PRed4t0R11 Excuuuse me, fanboy. I don't even remember the comment, but it was actually released in '90. Okay, I'll let you go back to procreating with your sister while you watch Axl Rose interviews.

[PRed4t0R11]

@fukanesedragon it was released in '90, yes, but u said it was written in '88, and wtf that last part u said is just wrong.

[DRIVEBYRACHKO]

Is there somewhere I can download this?

[greensmith999]

who says this has to be after Appetite???

they didnt want any more slow songs cause they already had sweet child o mine on appetite.

like don't cry, this could easily have been written pre 1987 and just not used till UYI.

[fxE20170]

Damn Steven rapes the cymbals! Drugs or no drugs he fucking rocked.

[ReBeLhIpI]

civil war was writen in late 1988

[CRIPPLEFIGHTlol]

back off bitch was written earlier by Axl and Paul Huge but thats not technically written by GnR

[FrozenFlameTheBand]

dont cry was the first song gnr EVER wrote. in about '85

[beautyloverrr]

@FrozenFlameTheBand

really how do u know? is it in slashs his book?

bye

[montoyafan5511176]

have you ever noticed that Axl... a great singer

is also a great WHISTLER? lol xD

[beautyloverrr]

@montoyafan5511176

haha yeah i did!

well he's also great in being sexy i personally think. hehe

[WhoKilledCallo]

oh yeah! he is awesome, even live hes so great!

[rsraad]

perfect!

[REDSOXNYG]

THE BEST VERSION!!!

[spellbound12]

Saw a documentary bout GnR... they said that the drums on this song is very heavy edited... so slash n the boys could even play to it... steven was in such bad shape (drugs) So they got rid of him...

[iknowme]

why is this voted down? it's true, slash says it in his book

[fazehead]

Last Great Song with Steven!!!

[stormtatrai]

@fazehead Shut up! steven is a drummer, drummers can be replaced... singers can't...

[MrAndreSChr]

@fazehead Last son at all with Steven

[beanolabub]

@MrAndreSChr You can hear Popcorns drumming style quite a lot in this. Except there's no cowbell!

[GnRLegend]

He plays in adlers appetite, an average club band that just go round play AFD songs. He's Clean i think

[gnrscotty]

my personal view bad idea to kick steven out he was prime and also kicked him out for drugs but they all were known for it and did it just as much plus it was stevens idea to start the band some ones not getting what he deserved join sabbation bachs band it would give it a listen :P:P and no jokes :P

[Gedenvil]

THIS is way better than the studio version!

[MrBrownstone1996]

No piano = Me likes very much

[MaidenInTheStates]

@MrBrownstone1996 The Piano was the best part. Thats like saying no piano in Estranged.

[gunnersorginal2010]

@MaidenInTheStates Nah I think Piano weakens this songs rawness a little, I think there is a clear earlier era edge to it which IMO was a little lacking at times in UYI era songs.

[YachooKN]

@MaidenInTheStates

No, it wasn't. In my opinion this is true Guns.

[alonso264]

the raw sound makes it a little more belic!ª!!

just love it!!!!

[zrhinier]

Uhhhhh....yeah five stars.

[rage2203]

The vocals sound like Axl Rose at around 1990, not 1986.

[mattstank]

I love the whistling in the beginning, kinda like the old Clint Eastwood movies. The arpeggios at at 0:40 are awesome!

I agree this sounds way better than the version on the CD with the stupid intro. Who's with me that UYI would have sounded way better without keyboards?

[bigbadjon1]

im way with you

[SaveTheSix]

No way its 1986, Civil War was written after Appetite For Destruction and GNR Lies.

[pluck93]

maybe it is 1989,1990. but not 1986. And all demo songs from 1986 are slower that original

[kaaremann]

you dumbfuck ! most of the songs on illusion was written before appetite !

[SaveTheSix]

Stfu, Civil War wasnt written before AFD, Slash said in his book.

[danimal97520]

Early 1990. The band was all over MTV and such discussing the on going writing sessions for what would become the Illusion albums. Where a few of the songs around? Probably. Most? Site 1 interview where ANY of the band says as much. Give a link to any live show where anything other than Civil War was played pre-1990. The whole "they had those songs written long before" rumor has been around for nearly 2 decades and NEVER has it been proven. So is it bs? Who knows. But you can't prove it either.

[Allanfan20]

A lot of the songs were. Slash said it himself. It's no rumor.

[phatmanpushimbak]

No...SOME of the songs were written before appetite like don't cry,back off bitch and november rain....but not most of them...that's 30 songs dude hahaa....and this demo isn't from 1986 either...

[montoyafan5511176]

actually back off bitch, my michelle, and dont cry were written while Axl was still on hollywood roses, if you want to listen to some pre GnR songs, buy or download the "roots of GnR" CD

it contains tracks played by Hollywood Rose and LA Guns I think

[DCH1138]

Is this the demo before they recorded the "Illusion" albums? Because musically it's the same song, same guitar solo's. Just a rougher version than what ended up on the record.

It has to be after "Appetite". Is Steve the drummer on this version too?

[bbriiannz]

Most likely (for all ur questions)

[geng999]

@phatmanpushimbak i agree....not 86, this is 88-90ish!

[fxE20170]

@SaveTheSix Not entirely true, He played this song in 86 with steven at the drums and they even had a rough version of Estranged as early as 87

[GoinDownToJunkieTown]

@SaveTheSix , naw mate, it was written, like november rain way back when the band first got together, they just didnt release it until 92, they apparently still have a few unreleased songs that were written during that mid 80's era but that never surfaced

[Musicvideos7000]

@SaveTheSix He wrote it in 88/89

[Marko0190]

@SaveTheSix Many Illusion songs are written when or before Appetite.

[austinwessonmusic777]

@Marko0190 but not this one, it was written in Australia like somone else previously stated

[blaziankhmer]

@SaveTheSix umm its a demo, maybe written in 86 and release in 91. something like what 2pac did just made a whole shit load of songs and released it afterwards. even after he is dead.

[pesmith8768]

and I know the UYI version was edited for the released version it was so bad.

Still, it is very sad to hear what could have been, before Mr. Roboto took over on drums...way more feeling to it.

[alonso264]

hell yeah!!!!

steven we miss you!!!!

[pesmith8768]

Adler still had it together here, and this drum track is better than the one that made it on UYI2.

[VelvetFuckinRevolv3r]

i love this demo, it so raw...and slashs outro solo is pretty rad

[wantedvirus]

Fkin Roxssssssssssss.

[Bam2raxa]

This does sounds better than the cd version.

[Allanfan20]

Written after Appetite came out.

[OKStudios]

Prefer this version :O I can hear the guitar much better

[bookerirene]

2:14 - 2:37 ... its Izzy .. isn't it ?

[shacka96]

no its axl

[hackmaster45]

It's Axel.

[haqaan]

The soul drives this song Still Kicks Ass !

[Alexjmoll]

Fuckin rock n roll baby.

[pikoroku]

this one isnt 1986

this is 1989

[donbanania]

see adler nailed it right on, he could have done it, he's so much more ill then sorum!

[alonso264]

wow this sound really amazing

UP GUNS!!!!!

[VicFirth700]

is this steven or matt drumming?

[acdcforpresident]

if its 1986, its steven

[09debono09]

but this wasnt recorded in 1986 i was in 1989 i belive because they wrote it on the appetite tour but it is steven alder

[musashihumar]

It's Steven. This demo was made in 1986. Appetite hadn't even come out yet.

[Allanfan20]

This song was written appetite came out. In about ''88 or '89

[shacka96]

this demo is was made in 1989 its just the false name

[Vile021]

steven. this is only song on use your illusions where adler plays

[Floydflander]

Slash+Axl+izzy = perfect band

[clujromanialinkin]

and DUFF

[09debono09]

and duff

[shacka96]

+duff+steven

[timodeus12]

@Floydflander

oh jeah

thats fuckin right dude

[son300]

@Floydflander Duff is also assential..

[redfirebird2008]

@Floydflander

Don't forget Duff. He handled the arrangements and brought a punk vibe to their sound on Appetite.

[theoldgeneration]

Where did you get this demo

[g00nstar]

this definitely wasn't recorded in '86. this song was written at a sound check in melbourne, australia in '88. read slash's book.

[rockfan7777]

i know it was actually recorded in 89 i just kept it at 86 cuz more ppl look at 86 demos on youtube

[g00nstar]

wouldn't you rather have the facts right though? it's only youtube views, they mean nothing

[acdcforpresident]

why do you fucking lie? most ppl believe you. i hope you die.

[rockfan7777]

go fuck urself

[Jazzarus]

@acdcforpresident that's a bit harsh, but yeah, stop bullshitting peope

[duncers79]

@acdcforpresident i hope so to

[rgkooper]

@rockfan7777 *lol* Well, I would not go so far "hoping you would die" for this, but it's still dumb, it really is. Take it or not ;)

[newGUNSnROSES2009]

much better version, no dizzy reed playin piano, just axl, slash, duff, steven and izzy, proper guns n roses

[Night0rchiD]

(rock)

[gnroses3586367]

this song was even written til 1988

[CacoWho]

This version is awesome, it's better than the released one man.

[soyaxlrose]

IS PERFECT

[DavelovesRealMusic]

The LYRICS to CIVIL WAR are far and above MOST lyrics of anythign released since..this song is REAL. it's meant to be a REBEL call..and it's not meant to be commercial generic garbage. G N R rule!!

[95422Wesker]

i think the guitar starts a little fast, but this shit ROCKS! GNR 4 LIFE

[Craig78910]

When Axl's voice is "hidden" in the instruments they sound the best. This is why I believe he should keep with techno and industrial sounds. "Oh my God", "Locomotive" etc.

[laurobutt]

axl rose and slash , the best !!!!!!!!!

[RyanLies]

omg... axl.. best heavy voice ever...

like this version more.. more authentic

[MiracleKD18]

This one is better than the relase version.

The guitars... at the beginnign it sounds much more peaceful, and when it gets hard... it sounds realy heavy!

But Axl's vocal shoud be louder.

[xdougie101391x]

on UYI 2 adler played drums on this song only this song.

[hndrk2488]

Just saw adler play sunday night he fucking sounded great.

[Berqy123]

Hey I know this is a long time back but what was adler doing? A band or what? The last I heard he was still on heroin.... Is he cleaned up and shit?

[jimihendrixtribute]

@berqy123 yeah he's cleaned up

[SHAPmovies]

he did, but he was really heavy in heroin so it was edited heavily and in some parts they used a studio drummer.

awesome man gnr 4ever