14 Years by Guns N’ Roses Lyrics Meaning – Diving Deep into the Heart of Struggle and Resilience
Lyrics
You bring the rain
You try and hold me down
With your complaints
You cry and moan and complain
You whine and tear
Up to my neck in sorrow
The touch you bring
You just don’t step inside to, to fourteen years
So hard to keep my own head, that’s what I say, you know
I’ve been the beggar
I’ve played the thief
I was the dog, they all tried to beat
But it’s been
Fourteen years of silence
It’s been
Fourteen years of pain
It’s been
Fourteen years that are gone forever
And I’ll never have again, well
Your stupid girlfriends tell you
That I’m to blame
Well, they’re all used-up has-beens
Out of the game
This time I’ll have the last word
You hear what I say
I tried to see it your way
It won’t work today
You don’t just step inside to, to fourteen years
So hard to keep my own head, that’s what I say
You know, I’ve been the dealer hangin’ on your street
I was the dog, they all tried to beat
But it’s been
Fourteen years of silence
It’s been
Fourteen years of pain
It’s been
Fourteen years that are gone forever
And I’ll never have again, well
Yeah it’s been, oh no!
Bullshit and contemplation
Gossip’s their trade
If they knew half the real truth
What would they say?
Well I’m past the point of concern
It’s time to play
These last four years of madness
Sure put me straight
You don’t get back fourteen years
In just one day
So hard to keep my own head
Just go away
You know, just like a hooker she said
Nothin’ is free
Oh I tried to see it your way
I tried to see it your way
Within the sprawling catalog of Guns N’ Roses, ’14 Years’ stands out as a raw articulation of frontman Axl Rose’s personal trials and transformations. This track, less celebrated than some of the band’s thunderous hits, offers a glimpse into a timeline of pain and the ultimate acceptance of life’s immutable currents.
Pulled from their multifaceted 1991 album ‘Use Your Illusion II’, ’14 Years’ bridges classic rock flair with introspective lyricism. It unpacks a complex passage of time – 14 years of silence, struggle, and change. But what lies beneath the raucous exterior of this seemingly straightforward rock anthem?
A Reflection of Endurance in the Face of Turmoil
At its core, ’14 Years’ is a rugged ode to survival. Whether interpreted through the lens of interpersonal relationships or the internal struggles with one’s demons, the recurring 14-year motif symbolizes a prolonged battle against adversity. Axl Rose belted out the woes of a protagonist who’s been ‘the beggar’ and ‘the thief,’ embodying every role that life has imposed upon him.
It’s a testament to how the passage of time hardens a person, shaping their character through the ordeals they face. It’s this sense of enduring hardships and coming out, not unscathed, but undefeated, that slices through the heart of the track, offering solidarity to anyone who might find themselves lost on a similar journey.
The Hidden Meaning: Looking Beyond the Numbers
While ’14 Years’ suggests a timeframe, it digs deeper than a mere period on the calendar. This span serves as a metaphor for an era – a substantial chunk of a life lived, experienced, and ultimately lost to time. One can’t reclaim these years, nor can one deny their lasting impact.
Through biting commentary against those who bring ‘rain’ and ‘complaints,’ Rose invokes a universal feeling of being suppressed by external factors, including naysayers and relationships turned sour. The years spent are not just a duration, but a cherished part of existence that’s been irrevocably tainted.
Memorable Lines: A Meditation on Pain and Recovery
The potent hook of the song, ‘It’s been fourteen years of silence, it’s been fourteen years of pain,’ resonates as a mantra for recognizing the weight of the past. But what’s profound is not the lament itself, but the unspoken implication of growth in its wake. This is not merely an anthem of sorrow, it’s a chronicle of resilience.
By addressing these ‘stupid girlfriends’ and their blame game, Rose isn’t just picking at old wounds; he’s also belittling the opinions of outsiders, thus reinforcing a theme of rebirth from the ashes of past relationships and the gossip that often circles them.
Breaking Free from the Chains of Complacency
‘Bullshit and contemplation, Gossip’s their trade,’ sings Rose, acknowledging the inevitable chatter that fills the void left by misunderstanding. He expresses a borrowed sentiment from the downtrodden and misjudged, pointing out that the time for concern is over, and it’s time to act.
’14 Years’ may be a sonic journey through anguish, but it’s also an emboldened dismissal of those who chose speculation over support. It is an outcry to break the chains that bind one to stagnation and embrace the unyielding nature of time.
An Audible Illustration of Moving On
The narrative construction of ’14 Years’ is cleverly crafted, with its climaxes and falls mirroring the tumultuous emotions the lyrics evoke. It conjures images not only of personal struggle but also of the achingly slow healing process that follows.
Aside from being a personal reflection for Axl Rose, listeners the world over have found a piece of their own stories within the song, embodying the universal truth that everyone has their ’14 years,’ a significant part of life marked by change. It’s a reminder that while time may heal, it also etches the memory of wounds deep within the tapestry of our lives.
