This song is about Axl Rose reflecting on his childhood, up-bringing and home town: Lafayette, Indiana. At the age of 16, Axl (then William Bruce Bailey) was made homeless by his parents as he refused to cut his hair. The line, "Just an urchin livin' under the street, I'm a hard case that's tough to beat, I'm your charity case so buy me somethin' to eat- I'll pay you at another time. Take it to the end of the line" refers to the time he spent on the streets, with no money or food. The line "Ragz to richez or so they say, ya gotta-keep pushin' for the fortune and fame. It's all a gamble when it's just a game, ya treat it like a capital crime. Evrybody's doin' their time" refers to the conversations he'd had with his parents about his dreams and ambitions of moving to LA and becoming a rock star, they were unsupportive and told him 'horror stories' about what happened to people in LA. This is also the meaning behind the line "Strapped in the chair of the city's gas chamber, why I'm here I can't quite remember. The surgeon general says it's hazardous to breathe, I'd have another cigarette but I can't see. Tell me who ya gonna believe"- his 'father' (he later discovered that Bailey wasn't his real father) discouraged him from moving and tried to convince him that he'd never succeed. The phrase "Paradise City" is in refference to his home town Lafayette, Indiana- he's reflecting on its beauty.
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