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.
One Way Ticket
L.A. Guns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could get my fill, but something went wrong
I needed a reason, but where did it go
A change in the season when you came along
I took a ride with her one way ticket to love
And then she took me, it wasn't the same
Living is easy, life is a game
Both of us leading a life of despair
So I took a ride with her one way ticket to love
Spinning my wheels around, I couldn't get enough
No destination, she's the girl I've been dreaming of
I took a ride with her one way ticket to love
I took a ride with her one way ticket to love
Now I'm breaking stones, slamming doors
Breakin' me, breakin' me, breakin' me
One way ticket to love
One way ticket to love
One way ticket, One way ticket to love
(Oh, whoa, oh, oh)
Spinning my wheels
One way ticket, one way ticket to love
(round and round and round I go)
Spinning my wheels
One way ticket, one way ticket to love
(round and round and round I go)
Ticket to love
The lyrics of "One Way Ticket" by L.A. Guns speak about a person who is dissatisfied with their life, who feels as though they have been unable to find their path or meaning in life. The world continues to turn and life goes on around them, but they feel lost and unfulfilled. They needed a reason for their existence, but they were unable to find it until they met someone special, who came into their life and changed everything. The two of them embark on a wild and passionate ride, pursuing love and adventure without any clear destination.
The chorus "One way ticket to love" is used as a metaphor for the journey that the singer is taking. He feels as though he is spinning his wheels, unable to find satisfaction or purpose until he takes this ride with his love, who becomes his ultimate destination. The repeated line of "round and round and round I go" emphasizes the cyclical and repetitive nature of his life before he met his true love. The ending of the song is marked by the singer's frustration and sense of being trapped, as he feels as though his newfound love is simultaneously breaking him and bringing him to new heights.
Line by Line Meaning
World is turning still, it always will
The world is constantly changing and moving forward, as it always has and always will.
I could get my fill, but something went wrong
I felt like I had everything I needed, but then something happened to change that.
I needed a reason, but where did it go
I was searching for a purpose, but I'm not sure where it went or how to find it.
A change in the season when you came along
When you entered my life, things started to shift and change for the better.
I took a ride with her one way ticket to love
I took a chance by committing to a relationship that only went in one direction.
And then she took me, it wasn't the same
After I got involved with her, things became different and more difficult than I expected.
Living is easy, life is a game
Life can be effortless and fun when approached with a playful attitude.
Both of us leading a life of despair
We were both unhappy and struggling in our lives before we found each other.
Searching for heaven, it wasn't there
We were looking for something perfect and ideal, but it didn't seem to exist.
Spinning my wheels around, I couldn't get enough
I was constantly moving in circles and couldn't get enough of the excitement and thrill of being with her.
No destination, she's the girl I've been dreaming of
I didn't have a specific goal or plan, but being with her was fulfilling my dreams and desires.
Now I'm breaking stones, slamming doors
I am experiencing frustration and difficulty, pushing against obstacles and shutting off opportunities.
One way ticket to love
Our love was one-sided with no guarantees of anything in the future.
Ticket to love
Our relationship was a chance for us to experience the ups and downs of love.
Spinning my wheels
I am still going around and around, unable to break free from the cycle.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALEXANDER RUDD, DON BLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind