Background
The song was initially recorded under the working title "Atlas Shrugged". [2] New York Times reporter Jeff Leeds described it in 2005 as "being somewhere between 70's glam rock and November Rain . [2] The song's original producer Sean Beavan said the song originated with vocalist Axl Rose and technician Billy Howerdell in the MIDI room. [2] Beavan described the lyrics as "really literary", referencing the book Atlas Shrugged. [2] He described Rose telling jokes while warming up for recording the vocals and tying the jokes into the song subject. [2] The original version featured guest guitar work from Queen guitarist Brian May. [2]
The song was considered "finished" in October 2001, however, guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal states they kept reworking it through the 2000s and it was never really finished. [2] Rose described the title of the song in 2008, saying, "Song doesn't have all that much to do with the book other than trying to do what you believe in and a line about shoulders not being wide enough." [2] Bumblefoot said the song was intended to be released on Chinese Democracy but was a last-second cut due to time constraints with the CD format. [2]
The song first appeared as a demo from the "Locker Leaks" in 2019. [2] The band performed the song at a soundcheck before a concert in May 2025 and it was included on written setlists, but never performed. [3] It was announced as a forthcoming single on November 24, 2025. [1]
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