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)
American Man
Velvet Revolver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Weakened by the ages
Raped, but not forgotten
All it's supple secrets
Gods and liberations
Those that try to use it
Are those that try to sheath it
Wide awake
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Free man
Haunted by the music
Ghosts of generations
Beat the drums for freedom
Those that toiled and suffered
And those they try to smother
Wide awake
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Where to begin?
Bred to win
Where do I go?
The sole worn off my skin
So, I take the skewers
I cut out the hole
In my soul I know is you
So are we ready
Ready to lose?
I know I feel, feel, feel
Inside the walls
Inside the walls
The iron walls protect the soles
Of my old boots
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
Yes, I am the American man
The song "American Man" is a powerful commentary on the notion of freedom and the American experience. The lyrics articulate the idea that freedom is a powerful force that has been around for ages, but has been weakened over time due to various factors. Despite this, the singer asserts that freedom has not been forgotten and still holds many secrets, including the gods and liberations that come with it.
The singer also critiques those who seek to use freedom for their own purposes, rather than truly cherishing it. The chorus of the song declares "Yes, I am the American man," which can be interpreted as a proud declaration of American identity or as a critique of the notion of American exceptionalism, depending on one's perspective.
The second verse of the song focuses on the power of music and its ability to haunt and inspire people across generations. It asserts that those who have suffered and toiled in the pursuit of freedom must be remembered and honored, rather than smothered or forgotten.
The final verse delves into the idea of the American Dream, suggesting that it is both a source of pride and pain. The singer expresses a sense of confusion and uncertainty about where to go next, but ultimately resolves to keep pushing forward.
Overall, "American Man" is a provocative and thought-provoking song that invites listeners to reflect on what it means to be an American and what freedom truly represents.
Line by Line Meaning
Freedom: the naked power
Freedom is a powerful force that exists without any aid or protection.
Weakened by the ages
Freedom has lost some of its power over time.
Raped, but not forgotten
Though freedom has been abused, it still survives.
All it's supple secrets
Freedom has many secrets and is a complex concept.
Gods and liberations
Freedom is something almost divine and provides a sense of liberation.
Those that try to use it
Many people try to use freedom to their own advantage.
Are those that try to sheath it
These people want to restrain freedom and prevent others from using it.
Wide awake
The American man is alert and aware of what is happening in the world.
Free man
The American man is free.
Haunted by the music
He is inspired and moved by great music about freedom.
Ghosts of generations
The American man is aware of the struggles of past generations to preserve freedom.
Beat the drums for freedom
He is ready to fight for freedom with all his heart.
Those that toiled and suffered
He acknowledges and respects the efforts of those who have worked and suffered for freedom.
And those they try to smother
He is aware of the oppressors who try to silence the voices of freedom.
Where to begin?
The American man is asking a question about where to start on this quest for freedom.
Bred to win
He realizes that he has been trained for success.
Where do I go?
He doesn't know where to turn next on this journey.
The sole worn off my skin
He's been through a lot and his shoes are showing the effects of his journey.
So, I take the skewers
He takes risks and tries new things to achieve his goals.
I cut out the hole
He is willing to make sacrifices for the sake of freedom.
In my soul I know is you
He feels that freedom is a part of him and that he's made for this task.
So are we ready
He asks if the American people are really prepared for the next steps toward freedom.
Ready to lose?
He wonders if they are willing to make sacrifices for the cause.
I know I feel, feel, feel
He is passionate and driven to succeed.
Inside the walls
He takes risks and goes beyond the walls that have been erected to restrain him.
The iron walls protect the soles
He knows that there are many obstacles that he must overcome to achieve his goals.
Of my old boots
He is aware of the wear and tear that comes with fighting for freedom.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID G KUSHNER, DUFF ROSE MC KAGAN, MATHEW WILLIAM SORUM, SAUL HUDSON, SCOTT RICHARD WEILAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind