It can often be an interesting insight into the development of a musician, or any type of artist really, when they pay homage to a certain inspiration. After all, the talent might have always been there but skill has to be built. Also in this day and age, living in a world made out of reproductions and combinations, with nothing really original to be found, it’s important to be able to match some of the related texts together and see just where a work of art developed from.

Guns N’ Roses is not an unknown band. They rose to stardom in the late 80s with hits like ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ and ‘Paradise City, and even though they survived the onslaught of grunge in the early 90s with a couple of more hits including ‘November Rain’, by the time 1994 came around the writing was on the wall. Band members, including the highly pivotal bass player Izzy Stradlin, were dropping left right and center and despite concerts still being successful, the remaining members did not look particularly happy with how things were going. Still in 1993 The Spaghetti Incident? was released; a cover album paying homage to some of the band’s roots. The lead single was chosen to be ‘Since I Don’t Have You’, a song taken from doo-wop group The Skyliners.

‘Since I Don’t Have You’ is one of the highlights from a rather disappointing album. Everything is pretty much on cue throughout this song. Slash owns the majority of the track with a slow bluesy riff, which eventually builds into a memorable solo. Axl gives one of his better performances of the album, which is saying something since his voice was pretty shot by 1993. He’s emotional wailing combines perfectly with Slash’s guitar work. Dizzy Reed adds a bit of piano to add to the overall feel of the track.

As I’m sure most have taken from the track’s description, ‘Since I Don’t Have You’ is a ballad, although a more guitar driven and bluesy one then let’s say ‘Don’t Cry’. The lyrics work well, and the song fits the band’s style but it was an odd choice for a lead single. The world had already heard quite a number of Guns N’ Roses original ballad that another was not needed. Still it’s one of the best tracks from the original band’s last album.

Recommended: Yes