Wiki
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Release Date
30 November 1988
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Length
8 tracks
Lies, aka G N' R Lies, is the second studio album by the hard rock band Guns N' Roses in 1988 (see 1988 in music). According to the Recording Industry Association of America, it has sold 5 million copies in the United States and about 12 million copies worldwide to date.
Its first four songs consist of the previously released EP Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide.
The last four songs were recorded with acoustic guitars. They were written and recorded in one studio session (with the exception of "You're Crazy", which appeared in an alternate version on Appetite for Destruction), which producer Mike Clink called "one of those magical rock and roll history moments". A Duff sung track "Cornshucker" was dropped from the album, reportedly for excessive profanity.
In later interviews, Axl Rose stated that while he loved how the band sounded on the last four songs, he hated the sound of his voice. Rose recalled that his voice was husky and scratchy from the band's lengthy touring at the time, and if he could he would've re-recorded his vocal tracks in a separate session.
The cover is a parody of tabloid newspapers as are the liner notes. The LP cover art underwent several minor modifications when the title was released on CD. First, in the bottom left corner reading "LIES LIES LIES" originally read "Wife-beating has been around for 10,000 years." Second, instead of "Elephant gives birth to midget", the original headline reads, "Ladies, welcome to the Dark Ages." Third, many copies of the original LP release contained an uncensored picture of a naked model on the inner LP sleeve. The cover also bears a striking resemblance to Jethro Tull's Thick as a Brick.
"You're Crazy" had been released previously on the band's debut album, Appetite for Destruction and was now recorded as written originally. "Mama Kin" is an Aerosmith cover, originally recorded on their 1973 debut album. "Nice Boys" is a Rose Tattoo cover.
"Reckless Life" is the opening track and it begins with Duff McKagan saying "hey fuckers, suck on Guns N' Fuckin' Roses!" This song was originally written by Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin's previous band Hollywood Rose and included in their compilation album The Roots of Guns N' Roses. It can also be found the EP Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide.
During live performances the band would play "Patience" using electric guitars, most notably in Rock in Rio in 1991 which produced the widely used picture of Axl Rose and Slash back-to-back, occurring at the end of the song. "Used to Love Her" would also be performed live with electric guitars.
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