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Prostitute (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Prostitute'" is the fourteenth and final track from 'Chinese Democracy', Guns N' Roses' sixth studio album released in 2008. The song is written by Axl Rose and Paul Tobias with additional work by Robin Finck.
Background & style
The song was first mentioned in a July 1999 issue of 'Spin' Magazine, saying "Rose is laboring over a song with the working title 'Prostitute', according to Youth, but past successes weigh heavily on him."
The song had originally only been played four times, one time in Osaka, another in Tokyo, during Guns N' Roses 20092011 World Tour and in 2014 at two show in Las Vegas.
It was occasionally performed in 2017 during Not In This Lifetime Tour as well.
This track is available as a downloadable song for the 'Rock Band' series.
The lyrics feature Rose singing "Ask yourself / Why I would choose / To prostitute myself / To live with fortune and shame.
The song was described by 'Loudwire' as "blending classical orchestrations and electro-beats with blistering guitar solos and some of [Rose's] highest pitched shrieking."
Reception
'Consequence of Sound' reacted positively to the song, stating "Some might roll their eyes or laugh, but this glossy driver is a great song. Its heavy, but not too heavy. Theres the piano, a thumbing percussion, and Rose, who sounds exceptional in the albums final moments. Think Bruce Hornsby on distortion, if thats even possible. Its a fitting closer, given the albums thematic elements, and strong enough to leave listeners, both old and new, wanting more." 'Pitchfork' complimented the song's melodies, but criticized the simplistic drumming. 'Rolling Stone' stated "At the end of the album, on the bluntly titled Prostitute, Rose veers from an almost conversational tenor, over a ticking-bomb shuffle, to five-guitar barrage, orchestral lightning and righteous howl.
'Ultimate Classic Rock' included the song on its 2014 list of "Five Songs On Chinese Democracy You Need To Hear Again", stating "this alternately ruminative and explosive track ends the album in an extremely thrilling manner". In 2016, 'Spin' ranked the song 68th out of 70 on its ranking of every Guns N' Roses song, stating "The Chinese Democracy closer, and for at least its first minute, probably the only GNR song that would ever make sense as 'One Tree Hill' montage music. 'Loudwire' ranked the song 73rd out of 87, stating "Musically, the song is an interesting fusion, too, blending classical orchestrations and electro-beats with blistering guitar solos and some of the singers highest pitched shrieking."
Actor Nicolas Cage declared he is a fan of the band and described "Prostitute" as an "incredible" song.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.
;Guns N' Roses
* Axl Rose lead vocals, piano, arrangement
* Buckethead lead guitar, rhythm guitar
* Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal lead guitar, rhythm guitar
* Robin Finck rhythm guitar
* Paul Tobias rhythm guitar
* Richard Fortus rhythm guitar
* Tommy Stinson bass
* Brain drums
* Dizzy Reed keyboards, synthesizers
* Chris Pitman sub bass, synthesizers
;Additional credits
* Orchestra Marco Beltrami, Paul Buckmaster
* Orchestral arrangement Marco Beltrami, Paul Buckmaster, Dizzy Reed
* Synth orchestra Dizzy Reed, Chris Pitman
* Guitar solos Buckethead
* Drum arrangement Brain, Caram Costanzo, Josh Freese
* Digital editing Eric Caudieux, Caram Costanzo, Axl Rose, Sean Beavan
* Recording - Sean Beavan
* Mixing - Andy Wallace
* Mastering - Bob Ludwig
References
Category:Guns N' Roses songs
Category:2008 songs
Category:Songs written by Axl Rose
Category:Songs written by Paul Tobias
Category:Songs written by Robin Finck
Category:2000s ballads
Category:Rock ballads
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