Hair of the Dog – Guns N’ Roses (1993)

“Hair of the Dog” is a cover song by Guns N’ Roses, included on their 1993 album The Spaghetti Incident?, released on November 23, 1993, by Geffen Records. Originally written and performed by the Scottish hard rock band Nazareth in 1975 for their album of the same name, the song was a gritty, riff-driven anthem that became one of Nazareth’s signature tracks, reaching No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart and gaining a cult following in the hard rock scene. Guns N’ Roses’ version, infused with their raw energy and punk-inflected hard rock style, was a standout on an album dedicated to covers of punk, glam, and rock songs that influenced the band’s sound.

Recorded in 1992–1993 during sessions at A&M Studios in Hollywood, the track was produced by Mike Clink and Guns N’ Roses, with additional production by Duff McKagan, who played a key role in curating the album’s tracklist. The song features Axl Rose’s snarling vocals, Slash’s blistering guitar riffs, and a tight rhythm section from McKagan on bass, Matt Sorum on drums, and Gilby Clarke on rhythm guitar, with Dizzy Reed adding subtle keyboard textures. Unlike other singles from The Spaghetti Incident? like “Ain’t It Fun” or “Since I Don’t Have You,” “Hair of the Dog” was not released as a single, but it became a fan favorite for its high-octane energy and faithful yet distinctive take on the original.

The Spaghetti Incident? was a departure from the ambitious, orchestral Use Your Illusion I and II (1991), serving as a raw tribute to the band’s roots in punk and hard rock. The album was recorded during a turbulent period for Guns N’ Roses, marked by the departure of founding rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, internal conflicts, and the exhaustion of their 1991–1993 world tour. Despite mixed critical reception, peaking at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200, the album showcased the band’s versatility and reverence for their influences. “Hair of the Dog” was praised for capturing the rebellious spirit of both Nazareth and Guns N’ Roses, making it a highlight of the record and a staple in their live performances during the 1990s.

Reason for Covering the Song

The decision to cover “Hair of the Dog” was rooted in Guns N’ Roses’ admiration for Nazareth and their desire to pay homage to the hard rock and proto-punk sounds that shaped their early years. In a 1993 interview with Kerrang!, Duff McKagan, a driving force behind The Spaghetti Incident?, explained that the band chose songs that had been part of their musical DNA since their days playing Los Angeles clubs in the mid-1980s. Nazareth’s “Hair of the Dog,” with its heavy riffs and defiant attitude, resonated with the band’s own ethos of rebellion and raw energy. McKagan, who grew up in Seattle’s punk scene, was particularly drawn to the song’s gritty, unpolished vibe, which echoed the influences of bands like The Stooges and MC5.

The cover also served as a way for Guns N’ Roses to reconnect with their roots after the sprawling, high-concept Use Your Illusion albums. By 1993, the band was navigating creative and personal challenges, including Axl Rose’s increasing control over the band’s direction and the pressures of global fame. The Spaghetti Incident? was a low-stakes project, allowing the band to have fun and channel their energy into songs they loved without the burden of writing original material. Slash, in his 2007 memoir, described the album as a “back-to-basics” effort, and “Hair of the Dog” exemplified this approach, offering a straightforward, high-energy track that harkened back to the band’s Appetite for Destruction era.

Axl Rose’s affinity for classic rock also played a role in selecting the song. In a 1994 Metal Hammer interview, Rose noted that Nazareth’s raw power and unapologetic attitude had always appealed to him, and he saw “Hair of the Dog” as a chance to blend their hard rock sound with the song’s inherent swagger. The band’s decision to cover it was also a nod to their shared history, as they had jammed on the song during rehearsals in their early days. The track’s inclusion on the album allowed Guns N’ Roses to showcase their ability to take a classic rock staple and make it their own, infusing it with their distinctive intensity and attitude.

Content and Themes Conveyed

“Hair of the Dog” is a defiant, swaggering anthem that exudes confidence, rebellion, and a touch of menace. Nazareth’s original lyrics, written by Dan McCafferty, Pete Agnew, Manny Charlton, and Darrell Sweet, are a bold declaration of independence, with the narrator asserting their dominance and dismissing detractors. The iconic line, “Now you’re messin’ with a son of a bitch,” serves as a taunt to anyone who dares challenge the narrator’s authority. Guns N’ Roses’ version amplifies this attitude, delivering the song with a heavier, more aggressive edge that aligns with their hard rock and punk sensibilities.

Axl Rose’s vocal performance is central to the track’s impact, dripping with bravado and menace. His delivery, which shifts from a sneering drawl to a powerful wail, captures the song’s confrontational tone, making it feel like a personal statement of defiance. The lyrics’ references to a “heartbreaker” and “soul shaker” evoke a larger-than-life persona, someone who revels in their reputation as a troublemaker. Rose’s improvisations, including his gritty vocal inflections, add a layer of authenticity, connecting the song to the band’s own image as rock ‘n’ roll outlaws.

Musically, the cover is a powerhouse, blending Nazareth’s bluesy hard rock foundation with Guns N’ Roses’ raw intensity. Slash’s opening riff, a reworking of the original’s iconic guitar line, sets a relentless pace, while his solos, described in a 1993 Guitar World review as “searing,” add a fiery edge. The rhythm section, driven by McKagan’s pulsating bass and Sorum’s thunderous drums, gives the track a heavier, more modern feel than the original. Gilby Clarke’s rhythm guitar and Dizzy Reed’s keyboards, including subtle organ flourishes, add texture, creating a dynamic arrangement that balances fidelity to the original with the band’s distinctive style. The production, while polished, retains a gritty, live-in-the-room energy, evoking the raw power of their early performances.

Thematically, “Hair of the Dog” resonates with Guns N’ Roses’ recurring motifs of rebellion, defiance, and living on the edge. The song’s unapologetic attitude mirrors the band’s own experiences during their chaotic rise to fame, marked by conflicts with the media, legal battles, and internal strife. The title, a reference to the folk remedy of drinking more alcohol to cure a hangover, adds a layer of reckless hedonism, aligning with the band’s reputation for excess. Lines like “I’ve been told about you” and “I’m comin’ to get ya” convey a sense of confrontation, reflecting the band’s defiance in the face of criticism and adversity.

The song’s energy made it a natural fit for Guns N’ Roses’ live performances, where it became a vehicle for their larger-than-life stage presence. Axl Rose’s commanding delivery and Slash’s blistering solos turned the track into a crowd-pleaser, capturing the band’s ability to channel raw emotion and attitude. For fans, “Hair of the Dog” served as a reminder of the band’s roots in the gritty, rebellious spirit of hard rock, even as they navigated the complexities of their 1990s era. The track’s absence as a single or music video meant it relied on the album and live shows to reach audiences, but its raw power ensured it remained a beloved deep cut in the band’s discography.

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