Sound Of A Gun

Album: Revelations (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by the Iraq War that many, including Audioslave, found unnecessary. The lyrics deal with trying to live a normal life in a state of out-of-control global tension, aggression, violence, and insanity. Lead singer Chris Cornell did not want Audioslave to be a political band like Rage Against The Machine (whom his Audioslave bandmates were part of), but this song is an exception.
  • The breakdown of the song is recycled from another Audioslave song. If you listen to "Drown Me Slowly" from the album Out Of Exile, during the bridge where Chris Cornell is singing, "Don't let them take you down." If you listen closely you can hear him sing, "The open mouth of the city swallowed the town with that same old concrete that I still walk down. And it seems they put a shine on this place when I was young but baby I just don't see it now." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM, for above 2

Comments: 3

  • Pete from New Haven, Ctim thinkin that line about "putting a shine on this place when when i was young" refers to baghdad. like when we were young watching i dream of jeannie and seeing baghdad as this magical place. PP
  • Gerry from Le Roy, IlThe last verse in the song "The open mouth of the city swallowed up the town with that same old concrete that I still walk down. And it seems they put a shine on this place when I was young but baby I just don't see it now." is a direct refernce to the twin towers collapsing and covering new york in ash and concrete
  • Brittany from Rainy River, Canadathis song is great..it has a sweet solo, and i also noticed the words taken from Out of Exile.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Church Lyrics

Church LyricsMusic Quiz

Here is the church, here is the steeple - see if you can identify these lyrics that reference church.

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."