“Used to Love Her” is a darkly humorous acoustic track from Guns N’ Roses’ 1988 album G N’ R Lies, a follow-up to their groundbreaking debut, Appetite for Destruction. Written primarily by Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), with contributions from Axl Rose (vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), and Steven Adler (drums), the song stands out for its tongue-in-cheek lyrics and stripped-down arrangement. Released as a single in Australia and New Zealand in 1989, it didn’t chart as prominently as hits like “Patience” or “Sweet Child O’ Mine” but became a cult favorite for its irreverent tone and catchy melody. Its blend of dark humor and rock swagger has made it a staple in the band’s live performances and a beloved deep cut among fans.
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The song’s origins date back to 1987, during a period of transition for Guns N’ Roses. Fresh off the success of Appetite for Destruction, the band was navigating fame, internal tensions, and the pressures of their chaotic lifestyle. Izzy Stradlin wrote the song as a playful, exaggerated take on a failed relationship, reportedly inspired by a dog he owned that he jokingly claimed to have “put down” after it became a nuisance. The lyrics, with their morbid twist, were crafted as a tongue-in-cheek commentary rather than a literal confession, reflecting Stradlin’s sardonic sense of humor. The band developed the track during acoustic jam sessions, opting for a simple, unpolished sound that contrasted with the raw intensity of their debut album.
Musically, “Used to Love Her” is a deceptively light acoustic rocker, featuring jangly guitars, a steady rhythm, and Axl Rose’s sneering vocals. Recorded at The Record Plant in Los Angeles under producer Mike Clink, the song was part of the G N’ R Lies sessions, which combined live recordings from 1986 with new acoustic material. Slash’s acoustic guitar weaves melodic fills, while Stradlin’s rhythm and McKagan’s bass provide a laid-back groove. Adler’s minimal percussion keeps the focus on the vocals and lyrics, giving the song a raw, almost campfire-like quality. The band deliberately kept the production sparse, emphasizing the song’s playful yet dark vibe.
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No official music video was produced for “Used to Love Her,” likely due to its controversial lyrics and the band’s focus on promoting “Patience” as the lead single from G N’ R Lies. However, the song was a regular part of their live sets, particularly during the 1988–1991 tours supporting Appetite and the Use Your Illusion albums. Axl often introduced the song with a smirk, acknowledging its dark humor, while Slash’s live solos added a gritty edge. Fan-recorded footage from shows like the 1988 Ritz performance in New York and the 1991 Tokyo Dome concerts has kept the song’s live energy alive, showcasing its appeal in the band’s unfiltered performances.
“Used to Love Her” has been praised for its bold humor and infectious melody, ranking among the top tracks on G N’ R Lies in retrospectives by Ultimate Classic Rock and Loudwire. Despite controversy over its lyrics, which some misinterpreted as misogynistic, the band clarified its comedic intent, with Stradlin noting it was “just a joke” inspired by his dog. The song has been covered by artists like L7 and featured in fan tributes online. Its enduring popularity lies in its irreverent charm and raw simplicity, offering a glimpse into the band’s playful side amidst their tumultuous rise to fame.
Reason for the Song’s Creation
“Used to Love Her” was born from Izzy Stradlin’s sardonic sense of humor and the band’s desire to showcase a lighter, more playful side after the raw intensity of Appetite for Destruction. In 1987, Guns N’ Roses were grappling with the pressures of sudden fame, navigating personal struggles, and seeking new material for G N’ R Lies, a stopgap release to maintain momentum. Stradlin, known for his dry wit, wrote the song as a humorous exaggeration of a failed relationship, using the metaphor of “putting down” a dog to poke fun at romantic frustrations. The lyrics were never meant to be taken literally, reflecting the band’s tendency to push boundaries with provocative humor.
The song also served as a creative counterpoint to the band’s heavier tracks. After the aggressive rock anthems of Appetite, the G N’ R Lies sessions allowed Guns N’ Roses to experiment with acoustic arrangements, revealing their versatility. As Slash noted, the band wanted to “strip things down” and capture the raw intimacy of their jam sessions, drawing on influences like The Rolling Stones’ acoustic ballads and punk’s irreverent attitude. “Used to Love Her” was a chance to have fun, blending dark humor with a catchy melody, while still staying true to their rebellious ethos.
The decision to include the song on G N’ R Lies was also practical, as the band needed fresh material to complement the album’s live tracks. Its lighthearted tone provided balance to heavier songs like “One in a Million,” while its controversial lyrics sparked conversation, aligning with the band’s bad-boy image. “Used to Love Her” was a testament to their ability to find humor in chaos, offering a playful yet provocative take on relationships that resonated with their defiant, rock ‘n’ roll spirit.
Content Conveyed Through the Song
“Used to Love Her” is a darkly humorous acoustic rocker that uses exaggerated, tongue-in-cheek lyrics to poke fun at the frustrations of a failed relationship. The song, delivered with Axl Rose’s sneering, playful vocals, tells the story of a narrator who claims to have “killed” his lover and buried her in the backyard, a morbid metaphor for moving on from a troublesome romance. Its light, jangly melody and raw simplicity contrast with the grim humor of the lyrics, creating a unique blend of comedy and rock swagger that captures the band’s irreverent attitude.
The opening lines, “I used to love her / But I had to kill her,” set the song’s provocative tone, immediately grabbing attention with their shocking imagery. The repetition of “I had to kill her” is deliberately over-the-top, signaling the song’s comedic intent rather than a literal confession. The narrator’s casual explanation, “She bitched so much / She drove me nuts,” paints a picture of a relationship marked by constant conflict, with the lover’s complaints pushing the narrator to his breaking point. Rose’s delivery, dripping with sarcasm, underscores the humor, inviting the listener to smirk at the absurdity.
The chorus, “And now I’m happier this way,” is the song’s punchline, with the narrator claiming contentment after “killing” his lover. The upbeat melody and singalong quality of the chorus amplify the irony, as the grim subject matter is paired with a breezy, almost cheerful tone. The line “She’s buried right in my backyard” adds another layer of dark humor, with the backyard serving as a comically mundane resting place for the fictional victim. The repetition of “Oh yeah, whoa yeah” in the chorus, backed by Slash’s jangly guitar fills, keeps the energy light, reinforcing the song’s playful vibe.
The verses flesh out the narrator’s exaggerated tale. Lines like “I had to put her / Six feet under” and “I can still hear her complain” maintain the morbid humor, with the narrator gleefully recounting his “solution” to the relationship’s problems. The imagery of hearing her complaints even after her “death” is a clever nod to the lingering frustration of a bad breakup, where the memory of conflict lingers. The second verse, “I used to love her / But I had to make her go,” reinforces the theme of moving on, with the narrator justifying his actions with a shrug, as if it’s the most natural response to romantic strife.
Musically, “Used to Love Her” is deceptively simple, driven by Stradlin’s acoustic rhythm guitar, which sets a laid-back, almost country-infused groove. Slash’s melodic fills add a touch of rock swagger, while McKagan’s bass and Adler’s minimal percussion keep the tempo steady, evoking the feel of a casual jam session. The song’s sparse arrangement, with its focus on the interplay of guitars and Rose’s vocals, enhances the lyrics’ comedic impact, letting the dark humor take center stage. The whistled outro, a nod to the band’s playful side, adds a final touch of levity.
Thematically, “Used to Love Her” is a satirical take on the frustrations of love, using exaggerated violence as a metaphor for ending a toxic relationship. It captures the band’s irreverent humor and their ability to find levity in the chaos of their lives, reflecting their Sunset Strip ethos of living fast and laughing at convention. The song’s raw simplicity, catchy melody, and provocative lyrics make it a vivid snapshot of Guns N’ Roses’ playful yet defiant spirit, offering a lighter moment amidst the intensity of their early catalog.