Catcher in the Rye by Guns & Roses
When all is said and done
We’re not the only ones
Who look at life this way
That’s what the old folks say
But every time I’d see them
Makes me wish I had a gun
If I thought that I was crazy
Well I guess I’d have more fun
Guess I’d have more fun
the Catcher in the Rye again
won’t let ya get away from his gun
It’s just another day like today
You decide
If I don’t have to
Then they’ll find
And I won’t ask you
At anytime
Or long thereafter
If it’s cold outside
I’ll be wrapped up in
into me
(Solo)
the Catcher in the Rye again
won’t let ya get away from his gun
It’s just another day like today
When all is said and done
We’re not the only ones
Who look at life this way
That’s what the young folks say
As if they’d ever change
That’s not whom I to say
But every time I’d see them
Makes me wish I had a gun
If I thought that I was crazy
Well I guess I’d have more fun
It’s what used to be’s not there for me
And ought to find someone that belongs insane like I do
Oh no
Not at all (repeat)
On an ordinary day
Not in an ordinary way
All at once the song I heard
No longer wouldn’t play for anybody
Or anyone
That needed comfort from somebody
Needed comfort from someone who cared
To be
Not like you
And Unlike me
And then then voices ran away
From me
So now you set the wheels in motion
It Haunts our memories
You were the instrument
You were the one
How a body tipped a bottle
And Gave that boy a gun
You Took our innocence
Beyond our scabs
Sometimes the only thing
You got at all
When no one else is there
Analysis by Belle42
There are numerous connections between the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and the song “Catcher in the Rye” by Guns and Roses which can explain how the book has inspired the song. In the first verse of the song, the artist is describing the character in the song as discontent towards elderly people. The character takes the advice from his elders, however, he chooses not to follow their suggestions. This part of the song relates to the opening chapter of the novel when Holden Caulfield visits his history teacher Old Spencer. When Holden sees him, he only notices his teacher’s bumpy chest and his scrawny legs. The advice that Old Spencer is giving to Holden at the time seems trivial to the descriptions that Holden is giving. Also, in the song there are many references to the usage of guns. For the character in the book, a gun will help them escape their problems and aggravation. Throughout the book Holden uses the phrases “it kills me,” and he also contemplates suicide. These negative thoughts that Holden has are in response to behaviors and actions that Holden disapproves of. I think that lyrics portray many important themes in the novel, but if I could make any additions or modifications to the song, I would include words such as “moron” and “goddamnit”, and I would demonstrate the deliberations that Holden has with himself. This could be illustrated by adding words like “never mind” or “maybe”. Although there are changes that could be made to this song, I think that Guns & Roses was successful in creating a song based on the novel Catcher in the Rye.
