Gun (song)

"Gun" is a song by Seattle grunge band Soundgarden. It appears as the third track on their album Louder than Love, released in 1989. The song bears strong similarities to the early work of heavy metal band Black Sabbath. It is notable for its variable tempo, which speeds up and slows down over the course of the song. The speed increases for the first two verses, reaches a steady pace for the guitar solo, then slows to the original tempo for the final verse. The song is also a prime example of Chris Cornell's distinct vocal range at this time. Kim Thayil on the song: "The thing about this song that's so distinct is that the tempo starts off slow and gradually speeds up, but it doesn't walk up steps or come to sections that are faster. It just speeds up until it culminates in a big jack-off guitar solo. Then it slows down again. It's a fun song to do live, because Matt Cameron (drummer) always speeds up way too fast. Faster than we can play."

Lyrical meaning

The song's lyrics appear to relate to the views of some Constitutionalists and Libertarians on the right to bear arms as a protective measure against tyrannical government. It has an overall theme of violent revolution. The line, "shoot shoot shoot 'til their minds are open" becomes a double entendre in this context.

External links

• Lyrics