Lyrics:

An incredibly layered and complex song by Guns N' Roses, “There Was a Time” features a mellotron, violins, choirs and multiple synthesizers.
Ooh, broken glass and cigarettes, writin' on the wall
It was a bargain for the summer and I thought I had it all
I was the one who gave you everything, the one who took the fall
You were the one who would do anything, one who can't recall
Where she was while she was sleepin' in another woman's bed
Or the doctor's, or the lawyer's, or a stranger that she met
If there's nothin' I can gain from this or anything at all
It'd be the knowledge that you gave me when I thought I'd heard it all

It was a long time for you (It was a long time)
It was a long time for me (It was a long time)
It'd be a long time for anyone but (It was a long time)
Looks like it's meant to be

Social class and registers, cocaine in the hall
All the way from California on the way to your next call
To those non-negotiations to simulate a cause
For the betterment of evils and your ways around the laws
That keep you up and sitting pretty on a pedestal or bed
And now you're sleepin' like an angel, never mind who you gave head
If there's somethin' I can make of this or anything at all
It'd be the devil hates a loser and you thought you had it all

It was a wrong time for you (It was a wrong time)
It was a wrong time for me (It was a wrong time)
It was the wrong time for everyone, but (It was the wrong time)
Looks like I got to see for myself

If I could go back in time to the place in my soul
There, all alone
Lonely teardrops, ooh, are callin' you
But I don't want to know it, now
'Cause knowin' you, it won't change a damn thing
But there was a time


Yeah, there was a time, I didn't wanna know at all
Didn't wanna know at all and I don't wanna know it now
Yeah, there was a time, didn't wanna know at all
Didn't wanna know at all and I don't wanna know it now (Oh)
Oh, I would do anything for you
There was a time
I would do anything for you
I would do anything for you
There was a time


There was a time
I would do anything for you
Ooh-oh, I would do anything for you
(Yeah, there was a time, didn't wanna know at all)
(Didn't wanna know at all and I don't wanna know it now)
Oh, I would do anything for you
(Didn't wanna know at all)
(Didn't wanna know at all and I don't wanna know it now)
Didn't know
There was a time