Background Information
It’s So Easy is a song originally recorded by American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses. It was the opening track and first single from their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, released in 1987. The song was composed by the band’s vocalist Axl Rose and lead guitarist Slash. The single peaked at number-five on the UK Singles Chart the same year, becoming the group’s second top-ten hit in the UK.
Reception By Critics
It’s So Easy was generally well-received by critics upon its release. Allmusic critic Thom Jurek described it as a “boiling and bluesy” hard rock tune with “satirical” lyrics. According to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, It’s So Easy is one of Guns N’ Roses’ “most enduring tunes”. The song was also listed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, describing it as “a hard-rocking and instantly identifiable classic”.
Legacy
The success of It’s So Easy helped Guns N’ Roses establish their presence in the mainstream music scene. The song has been praised for its sound and energy which has remained relevant even today. It also served as an inspiration to a number of bands in the alternative rock and punk scenes. Artists such as Foo Fighters, Rage Against the Machine, and The Offspring have covered the song in their live performances.
Who Published It’s So Easy?
It’s So Easy was first published in the Appetite for Destruction album which was released on July 21, 1987. The album was released through Geffen Records, a record label and multimedia company owned by Universal Music Group. The album was distributed in the United States by the Warner Music Group.
Musical Influences
The song’s musical influences can be linked to other genres of music, such as glam rock and punk rock. In an interview, the former Guns N’ Roses bassist, Duff McKagan, explained that the song was influenced by bands like the Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols, Mötley Crüe, Hanoi Rocks and Aerosmith. He described the song’s sound as a combination of the “grit of punk, the riff of Aerosmith and the melodies of the Stones”.
Legacy in Cover Versions
The success of It’s So Easy has led to numerous cover versions of the song from other artists. In 1994, the song was covered by Japanese rock band, Luna Sea, on their debut album Face to Face. The alternative rock band, Foo Fighters, also released a live cover of the song on their album, Live Concerts and Rarities in 1997.
The grunge rock group, Alice In Chains, also covered the song in their acoustic Live EP. In 2000, the British punk rock band The Living End released their cover of the song on their album, The Living End. The song was also included on Metallica’s live acoustic album, Garage Inc. in 1998.
Lyrical Content
It’s So Easy features lyrics that describe the pursuits of reckless youth such as partying and getting into trouble. The song also features references to alcohol, drugs and prostitution. The lyrics are mostly written and sung by Axl Rose in the first person perspective. The song includes such lyrics as “It’s so easy when everyone’s tryin’ to please me, yeah it’s so easy, all you gotta do is forget the rules” and “See the danger of a seemin’ life of ease, Oh, yeah it’s so easy”.
Guns N’ Roses Success
Guns N’ Roses achieved critical and commercial success with Appetite for Destruction, which achieved numerous certifications over the years, and is the sixth highest-selling debut of all time. The success of the album and the single, It´s So Easy, propelled the band to international stardom and inspired a whole new generation of musicians.
Impact On Music Industry
Guns N’ Roses influence on the music industry extended beyond their own work. Their sound and image had a significant impact on the way that hard rock and heavy metal were seen. They were responsible for the resurgence in the popularity of hard rock and heavy metal throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The popularity of their music was also echoed by their lip synched performance of It’s So Easy, which was featured on the MTV show, Headbangers Ball, in 1987. This performance helped introduce a worldwide audience to the music of Guns N’ Roses and since then, it’s So Easy has continued to be one of the band’s most popular songs.
New Generation Of Fans
With the band’s increasing fame, the band developed a loyal and passionate fanbase,known as the “Guns N’ Roses Army”. The band promoted the constant live performances around the world and sold-out shows throughout the United States and Europe.
The band also released numerous singles which helped them gain a new generation of fans. This new generation of fans was drawn to the guitar-driven hard rock sound and ‘bad boy’ image which the band embodied.
Media Impact
The success of Guns N’ Roses was further solidified by its media coverage. The band’s music videos and live performances were frequently featured on MTV, further increasing their popularity. This media coverage also helped further popularize the band’s music throughout the globe.
In addition, it was highly praised by music critics from both the mainstream media and alternative music press. Numerous magazines such as Rolling Stone and Spin regularly featured articles and reviews of the band, complimenting their musical talent and impact.
Conclusion
It’s So Easy was one of the major influences which helped launch Guns N’ Roses into international stardom. The single proved to be a major commercial success, and its hard rock sound and Axl Rose’s lyrics had a major impact on the sound of hard rock and heavy metal music of the late 80s and early 90s. The success of the single further influenced a whole generation of new fans, introducing them to the iconic sound of Guns N’ Roses. The impact of It’s So Easy and the rest of the Appetite for Destruction album goes beyond music, and firmly established Guns N’ Roses as one of the most influential bands of the decade.
