In 2004, the band achieved commercial success with their debut album, Contraband. Despite positive reviews, some critics initially described Velvet Revolver as a mere combination of Stone Temple Pilots and Guns N'Roses, and criticizing them for a "disconnection" between Weiland and the rest of the band. With their single "Slither", they won the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. The band released Libertad in 2007, driven by the release of the single "She Builds Quick Machines", and embarked on a tour with Alice in Chains.
In April 2008, Weiland was fired from Velvet Revolver and reunited with Stone Temple Pilots. Velvet Revolver was put on indefinite hiatus and in November of that year, requested to be released by their record label RCA Records to allow themselves "complete freedom to go through whatever process it would take to accomplish" replacing Weiland.
Although Velvet Revolver worked on new material and auditioned new singers following Scott Weiland's departure, the band has not released any new material and only performed publicly once since 2008, when they reunited with Weiland for a one-off reunion show on January 12, 2012, at a benefit concert. This proved to be their last performance together before Weiland's death on December 3, 2015. Slash and McKagan later rejoined Guns N' Roses in 2016. On December 3, 2015, Weiland was found dead on his tour bus around 9 pm, one day before he was to perform in Minnesota with his band the Wildabouts, which ended the possible reunion. Both Slash and McKagan rejoined Guns N' Roses in 2016.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Revolver
Studio albums
Contraband (2004)
Libertad (2007)
Slither
Velvet Revolver Lyrics
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Hey
Hey
When you look you see right through me
Cut the rope, fell to my knees
Fallen, broken every single time
Always keep me under finger
That's the spot where you would chew me
But I see sometime pleasure in my mind
Yeah, here comes the water
It comes to wash away the sins of you and I
This time you see
Hey
Hey
Hey
When you seek me you destroy me
Rape my mind and smell the poppy's
Fallen blood in every single time
Always keep me under finger
That's the spot where you might linger
But I see sometime the pleasure in my mind
Yeah, here comes the water
It comes to wash away the sins of you and I
This time you see
Like holy water
It only burns you faster than you'll ever dry
This time with me
When you look, you see right through me
Cut the rope, fell to my knees
Falling and bloating every single time
Yeah, here comes the water
It comes to wash away the sins of you and I
This time you see
Like holy water
It only burns you faster than you'll ever dry
This time with me
Hey
Hey
Hey
The lyrics to Velvet Revolver's song "Slither" seems to describe a toxic relationship where the singer is constantly being undermined and mistreated by their partner. The first verse talks about how they feel exposed and vulnerable around their partner, to the point where they have fallen and broken numerous times. The partner always has them under their control and can manipulate them as they see fit, causing them pain and suffering. But despite all of this, the singer still finds pleasure in their relationship.
The chorus brings a sense of catharsis as the singer declares that the water is coming to wash away their sins. This water is almost holy in nature as it is described as washing away the sins of both the singer and their partner. However, it is also destructive as it burns faster than it can dry. The second verse continues the theme of the singer being destroyed by their partner, with the imagery of poppies representing the seductive yet harmful nature of the relationship.
Overall, "Slither" seems to be a metaphor for addiction or obsession with a toxic partner. The sense of pleasure mixed with pain is a common theme in relationships that are detrimental to one's mental and emotional health.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey
An expression of attention, greeting, or enthusiastic excitement.
Hey
An expression of attention, greeting, or enthusiastic excitement.
Hey
An expression of attention, greeting, or enthusiastic excitement.
When you look you see right through me
When you observe me, you are able to see my true self without any facade or deception.
Cut the rope, fell to my knees
I have failed and lost control of the situation, and now I am forced to surrender and kneel down in defeat.
Fallen, broken every single time
I have experienced many failures and setbacks, causing me to feel defeated and broken repeatedly in my life.
Always keep me under finger
You constantly have power and control over me, holding me under your thumb and manipulating me for your own gain.
That's the spot where you would chew me
You take advantage of my vulnerability and weakness, using it to your advantage like a predator would its prey.
But I see sometime pleasure in my mind
Despite the pain and suffering, there are moments where I find temporary pleasure and relief in my thoughts or actions.
Yeah, here comes the water
A metaphorical representation of a force that cleanses and purifies, possibly referring to a change or resolution in one's life situation.
It comes to wash away the sins of you and I
The water symbolically represents a cleansing of guilt and wrongdoing, affecting both parties involved.
This time you see
A suggestion that the situation or outcome will be different or more apparent than before, and that the truth will be revealed.
When you seek me you destroy me
If you actively search for me or attempt to control me, it will have a detrimental effect on my well-being and sense of self.
Rape my mind and smell the poppy's
An allusion to the Greek myth of Odysseus and the Sirens, where their enchanting voices lured sailors to their deaths - you are likening your actions to that of a seductive predator.
Fallen blood in every single time
I have repeatedly faced defeat and humiliation, and the pain and scars of those experiences are evident on my body and mind.
That's the spot where you might linger
You have a hold on me and can choose to stay in control and cause me more pain, or you may choose to let me go and break free from your grasp.
But I see sometime the pleasure in my mind
Again, I acknowledge the temporary satisfaction and relief I feel at times, despite the damage it may cause in the long run.
Like holy water
A comparison to the cleansing and purifying properties of holy water in religious ceremonies, further emphasizing the idea of a transformative and redemptive experience.
It only burns you faster than you'll ever dry
The water, while cleansing, is also painful and intense, burning away impurities and making the process more difficult and emotionally draining than anticipated.
This time with me
Perhaps suggesting that this time, I will be the one in control and initiating change, rather than being a passive participant in the process.
Falling and bloating every single time
Another reference to the repeated failures and setbacks, with the added sense of drowning or suffocating under the weight of those experiences.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID KUSHNER, DUFF MCKAGEN, MATT SORUM, SCOTT WEILAND, SAUL HUDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind