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My Gen X Playlist: Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses

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Daily writing prompt
What do you wish you could do more every day?
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That’s an easy one. I wish I could eat anything I wanted like I used to when I was younger. Burgers and fries? Coming right up. Pizza for dinner? A cold leftover slice is perfect for breakfast the next morning. Mexican food at 2 am after the bars closed? Extra hot sauce, please. Back then, my body didn’t feel any repercussions afterwards. I didn’t know how fortunate I really was.

One thing that has changed is I developed a sweet tooth over the past five years. Of course, in moderation, but I do crave desert. There’s nothing like desert with a hot cup of coffee.

My family has always loved pie. You can say we are a pie family. Last night we enjoyed mom’s home cooking and we brought desert. I picked up an interesting pie this time around. I thought it was a regular berry pie. It turns out it was a Michigan four berry pie. It included sour cherries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries with a brown sugar crumble on top. What the hell. Why is Michigan keeping this a tight lipped secret from the rest of us? This pie was absolutely delicious. It has the right amount of sweet to counter the sour cherries. Michigan people…I love you guys for inventing this but also upset with you for not sharing this with the rest of the world. If you’ve got any other hidden gems, it’s no longer mums the word. Share, please. Remember, I have a sweet tooth. . .

Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns and Roses was released in 1988. I can’t help think about Axl Rose swaying as I hear this playing. The song was born out of an impromptu jam session.

According to the band, one of their biggest hits, “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” began in a jam session at the band’s home in Los Angeles. As the group’s iconic guitar player Slash and drummer Steven Adler were warming up at the home on the Sunset Strip, Slash began playing a melody and showing goofy faces to the drummer.

But what could have been a throwaway moment turned out to be the spark of something. Hearing the “circus” riff from Slash, the band’s rhythm guitar player Izzy Stradlin asked the lead player to play the riff again. As he did, Stradlin wrote some chords and the band’s bassist Duff McKagan came up with a line of his own. The song began to come together. 

While the band jammed downstairs, lead singer and frontman Axl Rose heard them upstairs in his room and began to write some lyrics. He completed the song the next day—that’s how quickly the whole thing came about at first. 

The song was based around his romantic partner, his girlfriend Erin Everly (the daughter of Don Everly of the Everly Brothers).

– American songwriter

Toward the end of the song, the same question keeps coming up over and over.

Where do we go now?

If you’re asking my family, that’s an easy one. To get pie and coffee. Where else?

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky (Sky)
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I stared too long I'd probably break down and cry

Whoa-oh-oh! Sweet child o' mine
Whoa, oh-oh-oh! Sweet love of mine

She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes and see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me of a warm, safe place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder and the rain to quietly pass me by

Whoa-oh-oh! Sweet child o' mine
Ooh, oh-oh-oh! Sweet love of mine

Oh yeah! Whoa-oh-oh-oh! Sweet child o' mine
Ooh-oh, oh, oh! Sweet love of mine
Whoa, oh-oh-oh! Sweet child o' mine, ooh yeah
Ooh! Sweet love of mine

Where do we go?
Where do we go now?
Where do we go?
Ooh, where do we go?
Where do we go now?
Oh, where do we go now?
Where do we go? (Sweet child)
Ooh, where do we go now?
Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay
Where do we go now? Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, wow
Where do we go?
Oh, where do we go now?
Oh, where do we go?
Where do we go now?
Where do we go?
Ooh, where do we go now?
Now, now, now, now, now, now, now
Sweet child, sweet child o' mine

31 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses”

  3. Today is day 11 of my detox diet. I could really use some pie and coffee right about now. My family is also a big pie family. Guess who bakes all of those pies? 

    I can’t lie…I don’t really like the song “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” The guitars and Axl’s voice just sound like whining to me. I respect that it’s a classic, though.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Congrats on 11 days of detox! Keep it going!

      My sister in law is the baker in our family. Similar to you, she makes the most delicious pies. When I was a kid, it all was about the pie filling. Now, it’s all about the crust.

      I understand your reaction to his whining. There are a few covers that are pretty good. If you have time, check out Jennel Garcia or Jasmine Thomason’s versions. A little less whine.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. You should check out our local Coco’s Bakery for the Raspberry SWIRL pie, it is delicious! It’s seasonal and not all restaurants have them. I buy a couple every time they have it, not all at once of course. So good!!!

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Or if no Mexican place is open after the bars close, greasy breakfast at 1:30 am, right? Wow, I can so relate to what you’re saying. So many foods that I cannot throw down like I used to since the old metabolism ain’t what it was as a skinny 20-year-old. Chips and dip… my oh my.

    I love this song. No specific memory attached other than just a good summer vibe.

    Great post! But, man, you made me hungry!!!

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. I am not surprised that the lyrics were so quickly written. They are quite simple, and oft repeated. Perhaps a million monkeys could not have conceived it through repetition. But I am guessing Winston Churchill’s randy parrot could have. Let’s break it down:

    1. “She’s got a smile that it seems to me”
    – Repeated twice.
    2. “Where do we go”
    – Repeated multiple times in the bridge.
    3. “Oh, oh, oh, sweet child o’ mine”
    – Repeated several times in the chorus.
    4. “Sweet love of mine”
    – Repeated multiple times in the chorus.
    5. “She’s got eyes of the bluest skies”
    – Repeated Twice

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. I’d think that would be so cool!!! Can you imagine hearing a tune you penned on somebodies playlist? I think I remember reading that Charles Dawes, who was later Vice President of the United States, penned a pop tune. I wonder if Kamila or Mike Pence ever tried their hand at lyrics??? But, you, that would be simply delightful!!!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I’ve always thought it would be cool, but never tried. It’s one of those things that is pie in the sky. I don’t think I have the talent for it, but it sounds fun and interesting

        Like

  13. Pingback: My Gen X Playlist: Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now – Smiths Cover by a Random YouTube Guy – MyGenXerLife

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