Tadsy Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 Hope you guys might be able to clear up this question for me, was Metallicas song “King Nothing” about Axl?? Or did James write it about himself? I’ve read conflicting opinions on it. cheers guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovim Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 I think no one really knows for sure. As far as I know, it was never confirmed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderram Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 Like most things, people can read into things and interpret any way they want The lyrics to this song are vague and ambiguous and could apply to almost anyone. The album it was included on was released in January 1997 which means the song was written in 1996 or earlier, making it more unlikely IMO to be about GN’R. SLASH officially departed GN’R somewhere around October 1996 and DUFF had yet to officially depart before Metallica’s song and album had released. GN’R was still in chaos at the time and I’m not sure the news about the band’s name belonging to AXL was well known yet. Or that Metallica, while friends with some members of GN’R, would have known everything that was going on or what was still yet to come. While almost anything is possible, I’d lean heavily on the song having nothing to do with AXL. Seriously, knowing what we know about James Hetfield, I’m very skeptical he’d care enough to immortalize AXL via one of his own songs. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovim Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 6 minutes ago, thunderram said: Like most things, people can read into things and interpret any way they want The lyrics to this song are vague and ambiguous and could apply to almost anyone. The album it was included on was released in January 1997 which means the song was written in 1996 or earlier, making it more unlikely IMO to be about GN’R. SLASH officially departed GN’R somewhere around October 1996 and DUFF had yet to officially depart before Metallica’s song and album had released. GN’R was still in chaos at the time and I’m not sure the news about the band’s name belonging to AXL was well known yet. Or that Metallica, while friends with some members of GN’R, would have known everything that was going on or what was still yet to come. While almost anything is possible, I’d lean heavily on the song having nothing to do with AXL. Seriously, knowing what we know about James Hetfield, I’m very skeptical he’d care enough to immortalize AXL via one of his own songs. James did seem to really dislike Axl back then at least and you know this song could be about more than one person or character. Not saying I think it's about Axl, I have no idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderram Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 45 minutes ago, Rovim said: James did seem to really dislike Axl back then at least and you know this song could be about more than one person or character. Not saying I think it's about Axl, I have no idea. Right, I know. I think most recall the comments from the Metallica video that prompted AXL’s rants in my hometown that ended with DUFF getting hit in the head with a bottle. But even knowing about the animosity that arose from their tour together and the circumstances surrounding the infamous Montreal riot, I still don’t feel that Hetfield would go so far as to pen a song about AXL. I could be mistaken, but then the timing of the release of the album and the current unknown state of GN’R at that time makes it harder for me to believe. Had the song been written circa 2005ish, I’d see more of a connection. But even then the lyrics are so vague and ambiguous that it could apply to almost anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoulMonster Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 (edited) For anyone's not aware of the story between GN'R and Metallica: The bands were great fans of each other (well, the GN'R guys loved Metallica and at least Lars was a big fan of GN'R) and used to hang out in the early days. Eventually they would plan to tour together: (43) 15. MAY-DECEMBER 1992: TOURING AND FEUDS (a-4-d.com) Already pretty early it became obvious the two bands operated quite differently, like this interview with Duff and James hilariously demonstrate: (43) 15. MAY-DECEMBER 1992: TOURING AND FEUDS (a-4-d.com) During the touring in Montreal, Hetfield got injured and GN'R was asked to go on early, but left early and a riot ensued: (43) 15. MAY-DECEMBER 1992: TOURING AND FEUDS (a-4-d.com) Looking back at having toured together: (43) 15. MAY-DECEMBER 1992: TOURING AND FEUDS - Page 2 (a-4-d.com) Then after the tour, Axl had had enough of Metallica's mocking; Slash took Metallica's side and the rest is history: (43) 16. JANUARY-JULY 1993: THE SKIN N' BONES TOUR; END OF AN ERA (a-4-d.com) On a sidenote, Lars was always a huge fan of Axl and would frequently defend him in the press. Edited April 1, 2022 by SoulMonster 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamillos Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 I always remember that Better video, with the guys dragging wasted Lars and Baz singing "eeeexiiiit Lars! ... We're off to never-never land" 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXL_N_DIZZY Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 I seem to remember hearing at the time that it wasn’t about Axl- but a fictional character who maybe had some “Axl Rose”-like traits (among others). A loose, vague connection at most. That said- may have just been something a Metallica fan told me. Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangerInThisTown Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 (edited) 20 minutes ago, AXL_N_DIZZY said: I seem to remember hearing at the time that it wasn’t about Axl- but a fictional character who maybe had some “Axl Rose”-like traits (among others). A loose, vague connection at most. That said- may have just been something a Metallica fan told me. Lol. If you look at news reports from 1995-1996 on Youtube you'll hear stuff like "Well, whatever happened to Guns N Roses?" by people like Kurt Loder. I think this actually might be plausible. James really didn't like Axl Edited April 1, 2022 by StrangerInThisTown 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknroll41 Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 5 hours ago, thunderram said: Like most things, people can read into things and interpret any way they want The lyrics to this song are vague and ambiguous and could apply to almost anyone. The album it was included on was released in January 1997 which means the song was written in 1996 or earlier, making it more unlikely IMO to be about GN’R. SLASH officially departed GN’R somewhere around October 1996 and DUFF had yet to officially depart before Metallica’s song and album had released. GN’R was still in chaos at the time and I’m not sure the news about the band’s name belonging to AXL was well known yet. Or that Metallica, while friends with some members of GN’R, would have known everything that was going on or what was still yet to come. While almost anything is possible, I’d lean heavily on the song having nothing to do with AXL. Seriously, knowing what we know about James Hetfield, I’m very skeptical he’d care enough to immortalize AXL via one of his own songs. Load came out in 1996 and was written mainly in 1995. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussTCB Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 6 hours ago, Tadsy said: Hope you guys might be able to clear up this question for me, was Metallicas song “King Nothing” about Axl?? Or did James write it about himself? I’ve read conflicting opinions on it. cheers guys I've always thought it was about Axl, personally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
©GnrPersia Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 Axl was the last person James would give a fuck to in 1994 when this song was being recorded. Maybe off-topic but talking about Metallica, let's not fool ourselves, Metallica was and still is in a different league. Metallica's lyrics are dealing with much more serious topics than attacking an individual. Axl on the other hand hasn't really been serious about running GNR (except '02,'06,'10). Otherwise he wouldn't hire a prick to manage his band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadsy Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 Thank you for the input everyone. I personally find this topic intriguing, due to the diverse answers and all of the comments have merit even if they are conflicting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamillos Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 13 minutes ago, ©GnrPersia said: Axl was the last person James would give a fuck to in 1994 when this song was being recorded. Maybe off-topic but talking about Metallica, let's not fool ourselves, Metallica was and still is in a different league. Metallica's lyrics are dealing with much more serious topics than attacking an individual. Axl on the other hand hasn't really been serious about running GNR (except '02,'06,'10). Otherwise he wouldn't hire a Brazilian prick to manage his band. You’re right. Then again, considering he doesn’t really wanna talk to the fans, wants to be secretive about everything, and needs a brown-noser who’ll just carry out his every command, his choice was... wise. Unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoulMonster Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 19 minutes ago, ©GnrPersia said: Maybe off-topic but talking about Metallica, let's not fool ourselves, Metallica was and still is in a different league. That's odd because I listen to GN'R much more than Metallica, but I suppose I have fooled myself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
©GnrPersia Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 2 hours ago, SoulMonster said: That's odd because I listen to GN'R much more than Metallica, but I suppose I have fooled myself? Here we go again... What I meant by that was GNR or Axl is not that important or an interesting topic for Metallica to write a song about. 2 hours ago, jamillos said: You’re right. Then again, considering he doesn’t really wanna talk to the fans, wants to be secretive about everything, and needs a brown-noser who’ll just carry out his every command, his choice was... wise. Unfortunately. Couldn't agree more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senor_peligro13 Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 The memory remains is supposedly about Axl . If you look at the lyrics I’d had some relevance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovim Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 11 minutes ago, Senor_peligro13 said: The memory remains is supposedly about Axl . If you look at the lyrics I’d had some relevance. where did you get this from? never heard of this even as a rumor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senor_peligro13 Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Just been a long time fan , has been discussed extensively in the past . You will have to dig around to find the thread , but the lyrics and Hetfields thoughts about axl make it seem quite likely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovim Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 19 minutes ago, Senor_peligro13 said: Just been a long time fan , has been discussed extensively in the past . You will have to dig around to find the thread , but the lyrics and Hetfields thoughts about axl make it seem quite likely no offense but sounds like it's just pure speculation 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senor_peligro13 Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 None taken. but pure speculation is what this whole site is about champ🤷 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovim Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 20 minutes ago, Senor_peligro13 said: None taken. but pure speculation is what this whole site is about champ🤷 Welcome Home (Sanitarium) is also about Axl 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senor_peligro13 Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 5 minutes ago, Rovim said: Welcome Home (Sanitarium) is also about Axl Fuckwit city by cosmic psychos is about you champ 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stay.Of.Execution Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 1 hour ago, Rovim said: where did you get this from? never heard of this even as a rumor I heard it too, but forgot where 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkside259 Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 another one bites the dust is about axl too same as welcome to the jungle and smell like teen spirit original name was smell like axl rose 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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