By guest writer: Shari Gallagher
Let me take you back to the early 1980’s when I was a teenager and just getting into pop music that was playing on the radio. My older brother was into hard rock/metal bands so when he drove me to and from school in his souped-up red Toyota truck, he blasted Nazareth, AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Def Leppard, to name a few of his favorites. It was a great time for music – really the best decade if you ask me. As I aged a few years and chose my own music to listen to in my blue Nova or on my Walkman, I stayed true to some of the hard rock bands (AC/DC, Guns & Roses, and Def Leppard) but also learned that I like more of a variety of style, including Tom Petty, Journey, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, and Peter Gabriel.
Fast forward to today…married for over three decades, three grown kids, and three grandkids! Now, we have any type of music choice at our fingertips, whether it be in our car, on our smartphones, or on TV. You know what, though?? I am still drawn to the same music I loved in the 80’s! Each song takes me back to a specific memory or event. I love that about music, don’t you?
One song from the 80’s, “Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns & Roses, makes me smile every time I hear it. This song is such a perfect blend of rock, with the guitar riffs, and lyrical melody. I started wondering who this “sweet child” really was and what it meant to this band.
As The Story Goes…..
Guns & Roses lead vocalist, Axl Rose, wrote this song for his girlfriend, Erin Everly (daughter of singer Don Everly of the Everly Brothers). She was about five years younger than Axl, and he loved the way she portrayed love, happiness, and a fresh start — something that he did not often experience in his own childhood. It has been said that Axl was inspired by Lynyrd Skynyrd’s style of authentic and sincere lyrics when he wrote this song, which makes me like this song even more since I am a huge fan of Skynyrd.
“Sweet Child of Mine” was the third song Guns & Roses released in the late 80’s; and it was their only song that made it to the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
When I listen to this song, I reflect on how blessed and grateful I am for my husband, our kids, and our sweet life together. Time sure flies, doesn’t it? Cherish the time you have with your loved ones and be thankful for the promise of each new day. ❤
So now you know something about rock music that you probably didn’t know before. Go tell your friends, and come back and see us real soon right here on As The Story Goes.
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AS THE STORY GOES 