The "classic lineup" of the group would reunite in 1999 and began recording new material. However, the group continued to change lineups and Guns eventually left to form the hard rock supergroup Brides of Destruction with Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe in 2002. L.A. Guns continued without Guns, bringing in guitarist Stacey Blades, however, following his decision to put Brides of Destruction on hiatus in 2006, Guns formed The Tracii Guns Band. The group's lineup consisted of former L.A. Guns members Black, Alexander as well as Jeremy Guns (though the lineup would eventually change), with the group eventually changing their name to L.A. Guns. Both groups continued to record and tour under the L.A. Guns moniker until 2012, when the Tracii Guns-led version of the group disbanded. Riley died in 2023.
L.A. Guns (feat. Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis) released a new single "Let You Down" on May 6, 2020. It was released as the first single from their then-upcoming fourteenth studio album Checkered Past, which was released on November 12, 2021, and featured producer Adam Hamilton on drums.
In May 2022, it was announced that Shawn Duncan had replaced Shane Fitzgibbon as their drummer. In the following month, guitarist Ace Von Johnson revealed that L.A. Guns had been working on new material for their next studio album. The resulting album, Black Diamonds, was released on April 14, 2023.
Kiss of Death
L.A. Guns Lyrics
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Tempting fate again and again
Faith is not enough something's gotta change
Where is the love without pain
Riding on a homebound train
Ticket to a place in the sun
Like a villain on the run train ain't got going home
Don't turn your back on a loaded gun
Well I'm sorry darling I must confess
And as much as I need your caress
You'll keep taking till your very last breath
So put your arms around me
Leave me with your kiss of death
Crying out your heart in the rain
Pouring it all down the drain
When the pain takes control
Touch leaves you cold
It's better sometimes not to prey
Well I guess that's just the way that it goes
Why love dies nobody knows
But I love you till my very last breath
Don't say a word
Just leave me with your kiss of death
Well they told me that you left yesterday
Death is just a heartbeat away
And they both reached the end
Together ascend
Never to be parted again
Well I'm sorry darling I must confess
And as much as I need your caress
You'll keep taking till your very last breath
So put your arms around me
Leave me with your kiss of death
Well I guess that's just the way that it goes
Why love dies no one knows
But I love you till my very last breath
Don't say a word
Just leave me with your kiss of death
In "Kiss of Death" by L.A. Guns, the lyrics explore the theme of love's destructive power, and the devastation it can bring. The singer reflects on his own experience with love, watching as his lover indulges in risky behaviors, tempting fate blindly. He acknowledges that faith alone is not enough to sustain a relationship, and something has got to change. However, even with the knowledge that their love is causing harm to both of them, he is unable to let it go, and continues to crave his lover's touch.
The second verse explores the painful side of love, describing the moment when the pain of a relationship takes over, leaving the person feeling empty and cold. Despite this, the singer is still unable to let go of his love, even as he acknowledges that love can be inexplicably destructive. The final verse presents a tragic resolution of the story, where the singer discovers that his lover has passed away, as death is just a heartbeat away. In this moment, he can only hold his lover one last time and accept the fading memory of their relationship.
The song ultimately speaks to the fact that love can be all-consuming and deeply destructive, leading the person to keep indulging in dangerous behaviors despite understanding the risks. The lyrics are melancholic and profound, highlighting the sense of tragedy underlying the story.
Line by Line Meaning
I watched you burn your hand in my flame
I have observed you getting hurt repeatedly while trying to be with me
Tempting fate again and again
You keep taking risks even after experiencing pain and hurt
Faith is not enough something's gotta change
Just having faith in our love is not good enough as we need to make changes to make things work
Where is the love without pain
Love is incomplete without pain and hardships
Riding on a homebound train
Going back to the comfort of home
Ticket to a place in the sun
Passage to a destination filled with happiness and warmth
Like a villain on the run train ain't got going home
Acting like a culprit who is running away, without a clear path to return to a good place
Don't turn your back on a loaded gun
Don't ignore the danger signs in our relationship, as it is like turning your back to a loaded gun
Well I'm sorry darling I must confess
I am sorry but I must admit something
And as much as I need your caress
Even though I crave your love and affection
You'll keep taking till your very last breath
You will keep taking from me without giving, until your very last breath
So put your arms around me
Embrace me
Leave me with your kiss of death
Leave me with the memory of our love that eventually ended in pain and heartbreak
Crying out your heart in the rain
Expressing your deepest feelings and emotions during a difficult time
Pouring it all down the drain
Feeling like all the love and effort invested in the relationship has gone to waste
When the pain takes control
Feeling overwhelmed and consumed by the hurt and agony
Touch leaves you cold
Even physical touch cannot provide comfort or warmth
It's better sometimes not to prey
It's better to not expect or hope for too much, in order to avoid disappointment
Well I guess that's just the way that it goes
I assume that's just how things are meant to be
Why love dies nobody knows
It is a mystery why love sometimes fades away
But I love you till my very last breath
Even though our love may not work out, I will love you until I die
Don't say a word
Do not speak
Just leave me with your kiss of death
Leave me with the bittersweet memory of our love that ended in heartbreak
Well they told me that you left yesterday
I heard that you left yesterday
Death is just a heartbeat away
Life can be fleeting and unpredictable
And they both reached the end
They both eventually died
Together ascend
They went to the afterlife together
Never to be parted again
They will never be separated again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE DIOR, PHIL LEWIS, GUNS TRACII, MICHAEL GERSHIMA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind