"Mr. Brownstone" is a song by the American rock band

Guns N' Roses Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1985. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band comprised vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKa ...

, featured on their debut studio album, '' Appetite for Destruction'' (1987). Group guitarists

Slash Slash may refer to: * Slash (punctuation), the "/" character Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Slash (Marvel Comics) * Slash (''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'') Music * Harry Slash & The Slashtones, an American rock band * Nash th ...

and Izzy Stradlin wrote the tune while they were sitting around Stradlin's apartment complaining about their addictions to

heroin Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine and diamorphine among other names, is a potent opioid mainly used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. Medical grade diamorphine is used as a pure hydrochloride salt. Various white and brow ...

, for which "Brownstone" is a slang term.

Composition

The lyrics make a clear reference to the

tolerance Tolerance or toleration is the state of tolerating, or putting up with, conditionally. Economics, business, and politics * Toleration Party, a historic political party active in Connecticut * Tolerant Systems, the former name of Veritas Software ...

that the drug causes: "I used to do a little, but a little wouldn't do it, so the little got more and more." They wrote the lyrics on the back of a grocery bag and brought it to Axl Rose. Slash said the lyrics describe a typical day in the life of Slash and Stradlin. He also states that it was the first song the band wrote after being signed by Geffen Records.Bozza, Anthony, & Slash (2007). ''Slash''. Harper Entertainment: New York. pp. 142

Single release

"Mr. Brownstone" was the first Guns N' Roses single released outside of the United States and appeared as the A-side of " It's So Easy" in the United Kingdom. In the US, it was used as the

B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...

of " Welcome to the Jungle".

References

1987 songs Guns N' Roses songs 1987 singles Songs about heroin Songs written by Izzy Stradlin Songs written by Slash (musician) Geffen Records singles {{1980s-rock-song-stub