Wasted Time by Skid Row

Album: Slave To The Grind (1991)

Charted: 20 88

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Songfacts®:

Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach wrote the lyrics to this song about his friend Steven Adler, who was the original drummer for Guns N' Roses. Adler had a severe heroin addiction that affected his performance, and the band fired him in 1990. He struggled with addiction for most of his life, even appearing on the TV show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2008.
Regarding the lyrics, "You said you'd never let me down, but the horse stampedes and rages," Horse is a popular name for heroin. The song starts out with lighter drugs like cannabis, and moves onto harder drugs like ecstasy and cocaine and then finishes with heroin. The song ends with the line, "I thought you'd never let it get this far," which was another reference to Adler's heroin addiction. In the video the actor is seen injecting the drug in a public toilet at this line.
This was written by lead singer Sebastian Bach, guitarist Dave "The Snake" Sabo, and bass player Rachel Bolan. Even though he had a part in writing the song, Bolan was vocal in his displeasure, calling it "The biggest piece of s--t we ever recorded." When Skid Row performed the song, Bolan would often sit on a drum riser and look disgusted.
Skid Row took off out of the gate, selling 5 million copies of their 1989 self-titled debut album. Their guitarist, Dave Sabo, was an early member of Bon Jovi, and when Skid Row formed, they linked up with the New Jersey superstars, who brought them on tour and championed the band. That album had hit singles in "18 And Life" and "I Remember You," but their next album, Slave To The Grind, didn't have the kind of hooky songs radio was looking for. "Wasted Time" was the biggest hit, and it stalled at #88.

The album debuted at #1 because it was so hyped and anticipated, but it quickly dropped off, and the band went into freefall.

Comments: 15

Jen from New YorkAnyone saying that this song isn't good clearLy has no vision or ability to hear masterpieces. This song gives chills and is lyrically perfect as well as having full blown, unmatched vocal passion and technique. Raw emotion, haunting music and melody. Incredible song
Teresa Mompower from NcChaz from Phoenix, Az. Where in the video is Steven Adler? I've watched it many times and don't see him anywhere. Just curious.
Long from UsaJodie from Bel Air, BOTH songs were written with impeccable talent, from the core of the artists’ very soul. THAT is what music is about.
Malissa Russo from 97470Hi I had the best time when the video was made. I was 18 and in the video. I tend to wonder who is still alive? I think about that day all the time god bless y'all and thank you
Jodie from Bel Air MdWell, Rachel, this song isn't anymore of a piece of Sh*t that "I Remember You". God that song's horrible. I always hated when hard rock/metal band did ballads.
Truth from ColoradoRebel from Rockville. It was about Steven Adler!
Debra from Na I used to work with male and female adolescents in drug and alcohol treatment, state custody, and juvenile justice. I had a School Social Work internship in college. I often think if they had School Social Work interventions in elementary school, they would still have challenges but handle them better. I played Wasted Time for the adolescents. It still sends chills throughout me. I didn’t tell them the meaning so they could decide what it means to them. Some wrote poems. Most talked about it. I was going to tell them who it is about and the lyrics meaning but they already knew. Thank you Sebastian Bach and Skid Row for putting into words the reality of drug abuse and the progression from marijuana to heroin better than I could.
Rebel from Rockville, CtI saw an interview with Sebastian Bach YEARS ago.. where he was asked about this song..and he said straight up that it wasn't about any person they knew.. it was about a random kid that had overdosed. No personal relation to the kid..it was a sad story that made a great song.
Elaine from Oakwood, GaI am looking for the Eagles Wasted Time on the Hotel California which I think is one of their best songs - on the vinly you had to listen to part of the song and turn it over to listen to the rest of the song
Dean from Peterborough, United KingdomYou asshole man, this song was written about steven adler. During his last days with GNR the lyrics all relate to that. Its really not difficult to see.
Joni from New York, NyI agree with you, Vernon. This is definetly Skid Row's November Rain of songs. It's my favorite.
Chaz from Phoenix, AzSorry Christopher, you are completely wrong. It was written about a friend of his on Heroin. Steve Adler never died. This song is about losing his friend. Actually all you have to do is watch the video and they show a clip of his friend in the video.
Christopher from Vancouver, CanadaActually this song was written in reference to the battle former GNR drummer Steven Adler was facing with drug and alcohol abuse. It was written as an attempt to get Adler sober. Steven was a good friend of Bach
Chris from Westminster, United Statesthis song means everything to me
i had a friend who died of overdosing on heroin in the school bathroom
Vernon from Trinidad, Wi, OtherProbably the last great heavy metal power ballad before grunge took over in the early 90's

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