Appetite for Destruction cover art

  Studio Album · No. 1

Appetite for Destruction Songwriting Credits by Guns N' Roses

1987 Geffen Records 12 tracks 54 min

Produced by Mike Clink  ·  Engineered by Mike Clink, Steve Thompson, Michael Barbiero, George Marino, Barry Diament

Geffen Records Hard rockHeavy metalGlam metal
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Guns N' Roses carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
12 trackswritten by Guns N' Roses 0 tracksoutside writers
Guns N' Roses's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
7
Lyricists
1
Producers
1
No.1 Single
30 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1987
Released
Data Insight

Appetite for Destruction was written by the classic Guns N' Roses lineup, with songwriting credited collectively to Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler across the album. Rose wrote most of the lyrics while Slash and Stradlin drove the guitar riffs, and the band shares credit on signature songs like "Sweet Child o' Mine" and "Welcome to the Jungle." It is entirely self-written, with no outside songwriters.

Appetite for Destruction is the debut studio album by Guns N' Roses, released on July 21, 1987 through Geffen Records. Produced by Mike Clink, the record captured the classic lineup of Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler at their rawest, blending hard rock, blues rock and punk energy. Its singles include "Welcome to the Jungle," "Sweet Child o' Mine," which became the band's only US number-one single, and "Paradise City." The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 and went on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling debut albums in history. Songs were credited collectively to the band, with outside contributions from West Arkeen on "It's So Easy" and Chris Weber on "Anything Goes."

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Welcome to the Jungle #7
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven Adler Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
2
It's So Easy
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven AdlerWest Arkeen W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven AdlerWest Arkeen Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
3
Nightrain
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven Adler Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
4
Out ta Get Me
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven Adler Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
5
Mr. Brownstone
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven Adler Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
6
Paradise City #5
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven Adler Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
7
My Michelle
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven Adler Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
8
Think About You
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven Adler Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
9
Sweet Child o' Mine #1
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven Adler Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
10
You're Crazy
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven Adler Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
11
Anything Goes
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven AdlerChris Weber W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven AdlerChris Weber Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler
12
Rocket Queen
Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler W. Axl RoseSaul HudsonJeffrey Dean IsbellDuff McKaganSteven Adler Mike Clink Axl RoseSlashIzzy StradlinDuff McKaganSteven Adler

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 11 contributors

More from Guns N' Roses

Frequently Asked Questions Appetite for Destruction

Did Guns N' Roses write Appetite for Destruction themselves?
Yes. Appetite for Destruction was written entirely by the band, with songwriting credited to Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler. There are no outside songwriters on the album.
Who wrote "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses?
"Sweet Child o' Mine" is credited to all five members of the classic lineup. Slash created its famous guitar riff, Axl Rose wrote the lyrics, and the song became the band's only number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
Who wrote "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses?
"Welcome to the Jungle" is credited to the full band. Axl Rose wrote the lyrics about arriving in Los Angeles, and the song reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.
How many copies did Appetite for Destruction sell?
Appetite for Destruction has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. It is certified 18x Platinum in the United States and remains one of the best-selling debut albums of all time.
What genre is Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses?
Appetite for Destruction is a hard rock and heavy metal album with glam metal elements. It paired raw, aggressive guitar rock with strong melodic hooks.
Who produced Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses?
Appetite for Destruction was produced by Mike Clink, who also engineered the record. Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero handled the mixing.

Sources