Guns N’ Roses continue to attract legions of fans, with their recent Not In This Lifetime Tour (including the returning Slash and Duff McKagan) selling a reported 5.4 million tickets in its run from 2016 to 2019. The enduring popularity of their classic songs has certainly ensured that the band will always retain a timeless relevance. 35 years after the formation of the legendary group, we rank the band’s six studio albums in order of quality and importance.
6. The Spaghetti Incident? (1993)
A collection of cover songs, ‘The Spaghetti Incident?’ may not reflect the band at their creative apex but still contains enough intriguing re-interpretations to be worth a listen. Its opening track ‘Since I Don’t Have You’ by The Skyliners, for example, showcased the band’s surprising adeptness at balladry. Despite being an oft-forgotten element of the band’s discography, the album was still certified platinum.
5. GN’R Lies (1988)
The first half of this album consisted of songs from an already released live EP, juxtaposed by its second half which was wholly made up of acoustic songs with far lower energy. It certainly isn’t their most consistent album but it does include the track ‘Patience’ which was a huge success as a later single release.
4. Chinese Democracy (2008)
A collection of cover songs, ‘The Spaghetti Incident?’ may not reflect the band at their creative apex but still contains enough intriguing re-interpretations to be worth a listen. Its opening track ‘Since I Don’t Have You’ by The Skyliners, for example, showcased the band’s surprising adeptness at balladry. Despite being an oft-forgotten element of the band’s discography, the album was still certified platinum.
5. GN’R Lies (1988)
The first half of this album consisted of songs from an already released live EP, juxtaposed by its second half which was wholly made up of acoustic songs with far lower energy. It certainly isn’t their most consistent album but it does include the track ‘Patience’ which was a huge success as a later single release.
4. Chinese Democracy (2008)
The long-awaited, Slash-less album ‘Chinese Democracy’ created a great deal of expectation and pressure upon its release. Although the album received mixed critical reception, its certified platinum status 15 years after the release of their last studio album reflects the band's die-hard fanship. Indeed, the band continues to be celebrated in pop culture with ‘Paradise City’ used as the title track to the hugely popular video game ‘Burnout: Paradise’.
Furthermore, the ‘Guns N’ Roses Video Slots’ is one of a series of themed online casino games that rank highly among other casino favourites like roulette or blackjack. Adopting popular themes is a common approach taken by the main slots developers and this one in particular continues to commemorate and cement the cultural significance of the band and their output. With this level of cross-media popularity and with Slash and McKagan back in the band, who knows if a seventh album is around the corner?
3. Use Your Illusion I (1991)
In an unconventional move, Guns N’ Roses released two separate albums on the same day with ‘Use Your Illusion 1’ charting at number two only behind its sister album. This record contains the mega-hits ‘Don’t Cry’ and ‘November Rain’ which continue to receive radio airplay to this day, as well as their high-octane cover of the Wings song ‘Live and Let Die’.
2. Use Your Illusion II (1991)
'2' held off its sister album for the number one spot and this can be partly put down to the popularity of the single ‘You Could Be Mine’ which also appeared on the Terminator 2 soundtrack. Its epic cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ was inspired, whilst the record also included thoughtful, political tracks like ‘Civil War’ and ‘Yesterdays’.
1. Appetite for Destruction (1987)
Furthermore, the ‘Guns N’ Roses Video Slots’ is one of a series of themed online casino games that rank highly among other casino favourites like roulette or blackjack. Adopting popular themes is a common approach taken by the main slots developers and this one in particular continues to commemorate and cement the cultural significance of the band and their output. With this level of cross-media popularity and with Slash and McKagan back in the band, who knows if a seventh album is around the corner?
3. Use Your Illusion I (1991)
In an unconventional move, Guns N’ Roses released two separate albums on the same day with ‘Use Your Illusion 1’ charting at number two only behind its sister album. This record contains the mega-hits ‘Don’t Cry’ and ‘November Rain’ which continue to receive radio airplay to this day, as well as their high-octane cover of the Wings song ‘Live and Let Die’.
2. Use Your Illusion II (1991)
'2' held off its sister album for the number one spot and this can be partly put down to the popularity of the single ‘You Could Be Mine’ which also appeared on the Terminator 2 soundtrack. Its epic cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ was inspired, whilst the record also included thoughtful, political tracks like ‘Civil War’ and ‘Yesterdays’.
1. Appetite for Destruction (1987)
The band’s first and arguably best album: Appetite for Destruction set the foundations for the legendary status of Guns N’ Roses. The record included the stadium-anthem ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ as well as the iconic ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’. The album consistently nears the top of lists of the greatest rock albums of all-time with over 30 million copies sold worldwide. Full of the guitar licks and riffs which have made Slash one of the most celebrated guitarists of modern times along with the soaring, screaming rock melodies of Axl Rose at his most powerful - Appetite for Destruction represents the band at its quintessential best.
Only time will tell if another album will be added to this list, but with Slash back in the fold there is certainly room for optimism. Regardless, Guns N’ Roses continue to have their songs blasted out and sung across the world and their status as Rock Gods has long been secure.
Only time will tell if another album will be added to this list, but with Slash back in the fold there is certainly room for optimism. Regardless, Guns N’ Roses continue to have their songs blasted out and sung across the world and their status as Rock Gods has long been secure.
