As a dedicated Guns N' Roses superfan, I have a wish list of 8 unforgettable songs that I truly hope to hear performed live on their highly anticipated 2025 tour. These tracks hold a special place in my heart, as the band has been my favorite since childhood, and now, at 29 years old, I reflect on the incredible journey I’ve had as a fan.
I was fortunate enough to catch them live in concert back in 2011 during their tour for Chinese Democracy, prior to the iconic return of Slash and Duff McKagan to the lineup. Since their remarkable reunion in 2016, I’ve attended their concerts a staggering 13 times across various states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, North Carolina, Nevada, Washington, and even Vancouver. Throughout these experiences, I’ve made lasting friendships with fellow fans who travel the globe to follow the band, making my own fandom seem modest in comparison.
Experiencing the modernized rendition of the legendary Use Your Illusion tour has been an exhilarating thrill for someone like me, who wasn’t even born during the original tour. The stunning visual animations displayed on the big screens and the excitement of hearing newly-released tracks like “Shadow of Your Love,” “Absurd,” “Hard Skool,” “Perhaps,” and “The General” have filled my concert experiences with joy and nostalgia.
Moreover, the band has impressively incorporated deep cuts into their setlist in recent years, showcasing songs like “Dead Horse,” “Down on the Farm,” and others that resonate with long-time fans. They’ve also paid tribute to numerous iconic artists by covering classics such as AC/DC’s “Whole Lotta Rosie,” Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” Velvet Revolver’s “Slither,” and several more, enriching their performances with a diverse range of music.
READ MORE: Guns N’ Roses Achieved a Milestone at 2025 Tour Opener with Firsts Since the Return of Slash + Duff McKagan
Since their reunion, Guns N’ Roses have been actively touring every year, except for 2020 (though they did perform two shows) and 2024. With the kickoff of their 2025 tour, there are several beloved songs I would love to see included in their setlist. While some of these tracks have been played occasionally in recent years, I believe they would make excellent additions to their regular rotation, bringing fresh energy to the performances.
As their tour titled “Because What You Want and What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things” progresses, it’s exciting to see that they have already made some changes to their setlist, indicating a willingness to keep things dynamic and engaging for fans.
Scroll down to explore my carefully curated picks listed in chronological order based on their release dates.
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1
Reviving the Classic: ‘You’re Crazy’ from ‘GN’R Lies’
Guns N’ Roses re-recorded a captivating acoustic version of the iconic track “You’re Crazy” from their groundbreaking album Appetite for Destruction for their 1988 release, GN’R Lies. This rendition is slower-paced, with Axl Rose showcasing his lower vocal register throughout, providing a refreshing break in both tempo and vocal intensity during their live shows while simultaneously injecting a dose of humor into the performance. Fans have enjoyed hearing “You’re Crazy” in recent years, where the band blended both versions, offering an electric yet slightly slower rendition compared to the original Appetite version.
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2
Bring Back ‘You Ain’t the First’ to the Setlist
The band has not performed the short but sweet track “You Ain’t the First” from Use Your Illusion I since 1993, making its return long overdue. This song would serve as a perfect follow-up to “You’re Crazy,” and they could recreate the nostalgic atmosphere by performing it seated on a couch, reminiscent of their unique setup during the Skin N’ Bones tour. Given its mellow vibe, it would be a delightful addition to the setlist that fans would appreciate.
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3
Uncovering the Hidden Gem: ‘The Garden’
A true hidden gem from Use Your Illusion I, “The Garden” has not graced the live stage since the ’90s and features guest vocals by none other than Alice Cooper, the Godfather of Shock Rock. This easy-going, almost psychedelic song would introduce a refreshing change of vibe to their concerts, allowing Axl Rose to effortlessly handle Cooper’s parts, possibly with Duff McKagan joining in for a unique twist. Incorporating “The Garden” into their setlist would undoubtedly delight fans and showcase the band’s versatility.
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4
Epic Performance of ‘Locomotive’
Guns N’ Roses have played the epic track “Locomotive” from Use Your Illusion II a total of about 11 times between 2019 and 2023. Unfortunately, I have yet to experience this mesmerizing song live, making this a personal and somewhat selfish request. Given its length and complexity, I believe it would be an excellent replacement for “Coma.” While I hold “Coma” dear, it has been featured in their setlist numerous times since the reunion, and it may be time to retire it. After all, belting out “Coma” can be breathless, and I can only imagine how Axl feels singing it in the middle of a nearly three-hour concert.
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5
Resurrecting ‘So Fine’ for Fans
“So Fine” has only been performed once since 1993, with its most recent appearance occurring in February 2020, just before the world shut down due to COVID-19. It almost feels like Guns N’ Roses took this as a sign that it was not meant to be part of their setlist anymore, but I strongly disagree. Growing up, I watched countless performances of their Use Your Illusion world tour on DVD and YouTube, where “So Fine” was a staple in their lineup. With Axl Rose and Duff McKagan sharing the vocals, its dynamic pace oscillates between slower moments and harder-hitting sections, making it an exciting track to experience live.
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6
Revisiting ‘It’s Alright’ – A Black Sabbath Cover
Unless you own the live album Live Era ’87-’93 or had the chance to see them perform during that era, you might be unaware that Guns N’ Roses covered the classic Black Sabbath song “It’s Alright,” originally sung by Bill Ward, not Ozzy Osbourne, from their 1976 album Technical Ecstasy. In their version, Axl takes center stage, performing solo on the piano. He often played it during his piano solo, leading into “November Rain,” and it would be a fantastic treat to witness him perform it live once again. Personally, I find it mesmerizing to watch him at the piano, making it a preferable choice over their cover of “Wichita Lineman.”
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7
Introducing ‘Black Leather’ to the Live Set
The Spaghetti Incident? album has received its fair share of criticism, which I believe is completely unwarranted. The album contains a multitude of fantastic songs, all of which are covers, yet they shine in their own right. Duff McKagan often performs their rendition of the Misfits’ “Attitude,” and the band has recently brought back “Down on the Farm” into their setlist in 2023. However, “Black Leather” stands out as one of my personal favorites from that record, and despite its popularity, it has never been performed live. It’s high time they give this track the chance it deserves on stage!
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8
Longing for ‘Catcher in the Rye’ to Reappear
“Catcher in the Rye” was performed several times during their reunion in 2016 and the subsequent years, with its last performance occurring at MetLife Stadium in 2023, which I was fortunate enough to attend. Hearing this track live was a highlight for me, as it stands out as one of my favorite songs from Chinese Democracy. I believe it could make a wonderful staple in their setlist moving forward. As you might have noticed, many of my selections lean towards the slower side, but given that the band members are not getting any younger, incorporating more relaxed songs could help them navigate through the show more comfortably. After all, I find it increasingly challenging to stand through three hours of their performance myself!
