Appetite for Destruction - Definition and Overview

General release sleeve

Appetite for Destruction was rock and roll band Guns n' Roses' breakthrough album. Beginning with the hit "Welcome to the Jungle", Appetite for Destruction added a new element to hair metal using influences from then-groundbreaking thrash metal bands and classic, anthemic choruses. The album was a #1 American hit and worldwide sales exceeded 20 million.

"Welcome to the Jungle" and "Paradise City" are both enduring songs, highly characteristic of Guns n' Roses and influential in the American popular music scene, as well as frequent covers.

The original sleeve, based on the Robert Williams painting Appetite for Destruction, depicting a robot rapist getting his comeuppance, was withdrawn soon after release and only used in a few countries. The painting was moved to the inner sleeve.

In 2003 the TV network VH1 named Appetite for Destruction the 42nd greatest album of all time. In 2001 Q magazine named it as one of the 50 Heaviest Albums Of All Time.

Track Listing

1. "Welcome to the Jungle" (Guns N Roses) - 4:32
2. "It's So Easy" (Arkeen/Guns N Roses) - 3:21
3. "Nightrain" (Guns N Roses) - 4:26
4. "Out Ta Get Me" (Guns N Roses) - 4:20
5. "Mr. Brownstone" (Guns N Roses) - 3:46
6. "Paradise City" (Guns N Roses) - 6:45
7. "My Michelle" (Guns N' Roses) - 3:38
8. "Think About You" (Guns N Roses) - 3:49
9. "Sweet Child O' Mine" (Guns N Roses) - 5:54
10. "You're Crazy" (Guns N Roses) - 3:16
11. "Anything Goes" (Guns N Roses/Weber) - 3:25
12. "Rocket Queen" (Guns N Roses) - 6:14

Original sleeve

Personnel

• Robert John - Photography
• Izzy Stradlin - Guitar, Percussion, Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals (bckgr)
• Steven Adler - Drums
• Michael Barbiero - Mixing
• Mike Clink - Producer
• Victor Deyglio - Assistant Engineer
• Greg Freeman
• George Marino - Mastering
• Duff "Rose" McKagan - Guitar (Bass), Vocals (bckgr)
• Jeff Poe - Assistant Engineer
• Dave Reitzas - Assistant Engineer
• Axl Rose - Synthesizer, Percussion, Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
• Micajah Ryan - Assistant Engineer
• Slash - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)
• Julian Stoll - Assistant Engineer
• Steve Thompson - Mixing
• Robert Williams - Paintings
• Andy Udoff - Assistant Engineer
• Jack Lue - Photography
• Michael Hodgson - Art Direction, Design

Mexican picture disc

Chart positions

1988   Sweet Child O Mine      The Billboard Hot 100       No. 1
1988	Welcome To The Jungle	The Billboard Hot 100	    No. 7
1988	Sweet Child O Mine	Mainstream Rock Tracks	    No. 7
1988	Welcome To The Jungle	Mainstream Rock Tracks	    No. 37
1989	Nightrain	        The Billboard Hot 100	    No. 93
1989	Paradise City	        The Billboard Hot 100	    No. 5
1989	Nightrain	        Mainstream Rock Tracks	    No. 26
1989	Paradise City	        Mainstream Rock Tracks	    No. 14