Towelie Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 I seriously never listen to the original. I wish Axl would perform the alt lyrics version live. It goes to show how good lyrics make a song so much better. The original seriously pales in comparison. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontdamnmeuyi2015 Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 I agree. I really like the alternate lyrics for Don't Cry too. It would be cool to hear it live. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. Maybe one day? Who knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pele Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 I prefer alt. lyrics too, but I'm of the impression most prefer original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jw224 Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 Alt lyrics are much better yeah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 The original is one of the best songs I've ever heard. Phenomenal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishgunnerII Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 9 minutes ago, Dean said: The original is one of the best songs I've ever heard. Phenomenal. The song don’t cry(as in the musical parts of it) are an amazing song. But I agree with the OP in that I like the alt version lyrics, because I think they fit the song better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallasgnrfan Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 I've always dreamed of the band at a live show going into a killer 8 min version of the song, with both sets of lyrics and a killer bridge in the middle...one can only hope. The original lyrics and the song itself are great IMO, but the Alt Lyrics are outstanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post James Bond Posted August 17, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 17, 2021 I like the Alt Lyrics better as written but feel that the Original lyrics have a better flow within the song. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnR Chris Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 Original lyrics are far superior. I do like the line, "Times that you took in stride, they're back in demand." Also: "And when you're in need of someone, my heart won't deny you. So many seem so lonely with no one left to cry to." That is good stuff. Axl should have worked those lines into the original and only recorded one version. Overall, the original has better flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Cantona Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 1 minute ago, GnR Chris said: Also: "And when you're in need of someone, my heart won't deny you. So many seem so lonely with no one left to cry to." Honestly one of the best lines Axl has written. Hit me really hard the first time I heard it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussTCB Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 1 hour ago, Towelie said: I seriously never listen to the original. I wish Axl would perform the alt lyrics version live. It goes to show how good lyrics make a song so much better. The original seriously pales in comparison. The bridge alone makes the entire case of the alt lyrics being superior. I've always chalked it up to Axl just being better at writing lyrics by the time he wrote the alt version. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoBucky Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 The way he sings the last verse in the alt version puts it over the top for me...just tremendous! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoulMonster Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 3 minutes ago, GoBucky said: The way he sings the last verse in the alt version puts it over the top for me...just tremendous! Yes! In addition to the lyrics being better, so is the vocal melody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamsapple Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 I prefer the alt. lyrics too, both the message and the phonetic aspect, much better version imo. Such a great song, it's a shame they rarely perform it live anymore. Love it when it's the last song in a set right before Paradise City. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estrangedtwat Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 I have also always preferred the alt version. Just like the lyrics better. Anyone ever layer the two versions on top of each other, just for shits and giggles? It's not really an ideal way to listen to it, but it's just kinda fun cause the music track is completely identical so you can basically try to hear two Axls competing with each other. Drop me a line if you'd be interesting in hearing it, even though it's kind of pointless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denin Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 They can even be mashed up and still manage to make sense. [Verse 1] Talk to me softly, there's something in your eyes Don't hang your head in sorrow and please don't cry Times that you took in stride, they're back in demand I was the one who was washing blood off your hands [Verse 2] I know the things you wanted, they're not what you have With all the people talking, it's driving you mad Don't you take it so hard now and please don't take it so bad I'll still be thinking of you and the times we had, baby [Verse 3] And please remember that I never lied, oh And please remember how I felt inside now, honey And when you're in need of someone, my heart won't deny you So many seem so lonely with no one left to cry to, baby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNRmello77 Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 5 hours ago, Towelie said: I seriously never listen to the original. I wish Axl would perform the alt lyrics version live. It goes to show how good lyrics make a song so much better. The original seriously pales in comparison. To answer your question in the title: because of the line: and when you're in need of someone my heart won't deny you, so many seem so lonely but there's no one left to cry to baby!!! And the emotion, burden drama and load he puts in it with his voice bringing it like he goes through it himself that's why Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimisbatman Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 I grew up with the original lyrics so that's what I prefer now. Did Axl do alt lyrics for Absurd 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystery Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 (edited) Doesn't have to do with the Alt version, but there's a live version on YouTube I thought would be cool to watch that has Shannon Hoon on background vocals. Less cool than you'd think since he completely overpowers Axl and the background singers add too much on top of it. Edited August 18, 2021 by mystery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknroll41 Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 Alt lyrics feel “deeper” and more mature, but the original has a catchier melody. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ak1nney Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 19 minutes ago, jimisbatman said: I grew up with the original lyrics so that's what I prefer now. Did Axl do alt lyrics for Absurd 😂 Okay, that was good. haha Listen Sister, Brothers to the song that should be heard Always sink it with my putter, more than I deserve Anyways, I like both versions, but having heard the original much longer before hearing the 2nd version, it's hard for the flow to not feel off here and there. I do love the lyrics in the 3rd verse, they are amazing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnuld Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 I like both. Would love to hear the alt lyrics live. It’s insane that he put both versions out on the same album (I know technically it’s two albums but really it’s just one giant album) Have any other artist ever done this? Are there other iconic songs with alternate lyrics out there?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitchisback Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 The original has such a good flow though. I love the alt lyrics and you can't go wrong with either version but I would say the og is the better version. To each their own though! Give me a whisper *breathe in* and give me a sigh *exhale* Such a great song 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangoSkank Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 I have always wondered this. The alt. ones are so much stronger with so much more depth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drlaban Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 I've always wondered how Axl, when on the roof in the Don't Cry video, can look exactly like Joey Tempest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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