"Yesterdays" is a song by the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, which appears as the third track on their fourth studio album, Use Your Illusion II (1991). It was written by the band's vocalist, Axl Rose, with American musicians West Arkeen, Del James and Billy McCloud. The song is featured in the 2004 compilation album Greatest Hits, while a live version from Las Vegas was included as the single's B-side and on the 1999 live album Live Era '87–'93.
It was released as the album's third single on November 2, 1992, reaching number eight on the UK Singles Chart and number 72 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Composition "Yesterday" has been described as combining the "rancorous blues-rock" of the band's debut studio album, Appetite for Destruction," with the "high-brow art-rock" of the rest of Use Your Ilusion I and Use Your Illusion II. Slash's arpeggiated guitar chords recall the intro of "Paradise City," while Axl Rose's piano chords and Dizzy Reed's organ work highlights the band's new direction.
Music video The music video of the song was directed by Andy Morahan. Filmed in black and white, the first version featured the band playing in an empty warehouse. The second version mixes clips of the band playing in the warehouse and photographs of band members during the Use Your Illusion Tour, as well as former members Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler, who had left the group by then. It is included on their Welcome to the Videos DVD.
Track listings
Personnel W. Axl Rose – lead vocals, piano Slash – lead guitar Izzy Stradlin – rhythm guitar Duff McKagan – bass guitar Matt Sorum – drums Dizzy Reed – organ
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1992)PeakpositionDenmark (IFPI) 6Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 14Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 22Portugal (AFP) 8UK Airplay (Music Week) 15
Year-end charts Chart (1992)PositionNetherlands (Dutch Top 40) 87
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)AustraliaNovember 2, 1992GeffenUnited KingdomNovember 9, 1992November 16, 199212-inch vinylJapanDecember 16, 1992CD
References