5 Songs that Prove Warrant is More Than "Cherry Pie"

Warrant is an American glam metal band that experienced a fair amount of success in the late '80s and early '90s, before going into relative obscurity once glam metal started to decline in popularity.

They actually had many songs that did well in the charts, but far and away their best known song is "Cherry Pie" due to its suggestive lyrics and accessible melody.

The fact that "Cherry Pie" was the band's biggest success seemed to anger late singer Jani Lane, mostly because the song was written as a joke and was never really supposed to be recorded. The band wrote it mostly from pressure from the record company for a "rock anthem", and they originally thought that the producers would never allow them to record something so lewd. The label, surprisingly, actually loved it, and made it the title of the album.

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A few years ago I actually went to a Warrant concert, and felt a little bad for the band. They were opening up for Queensrÿche, and the small crowd at the concert seemed to be just sitting through the Warrant act in order to see Queensrÿche. Of course, Warrant closed their set with "Cherry Pie", pretty much the only song the crowd sang or danced to.

So, as a tribute to Jani Lane, I've decided to outline five Warrant songs that I think are much better than "Cherry Pie". Hope you enjoy them.

5. All my Bridges are Burning

The hard opening riff really pulls me into this song, artfully overlaid with the excellent into solo (I'm a big fan of intro guitar solos). The lyrics paint a really powerful picture of the dangers of addiction, and the song goes into a nice little pre-solo breakdown that makes the solo really stand out. All in all it's a really good song.

4. I Saw Red

Showing that Warrant had a sensitive side, "I Saw Red" features a delicate piano intro that makes the song really pop when the distorted guitars come in. The lyrics are maybe a tad cheesy in some parts, but the song has a lot of emotion regarding the apparently true story of Jani Lane's girlfriend cheating on him with his best friend.

3. Uncle Tom's Cabin

This song was actually supposed to be the titular track on the album that became "Cherry Pie", and is arguably the best song on the album. From the somber, almost bluegrass intro to the hard rock chorus and solo, I think this song really has it all. The lyrics paint a pretty imaginative picture of a boy and his uncle witnessing a murder committed by a sheriff and deputy, which is a pretty interesting concept for a rock song. The guitar fills and the use of a "false chorus" really "make" the song in my opinion.

2. Mr. Rainmaker

Remember how I said I was a big fan of the "intro guitar solo"? Well, this song has a great one that just reels me in like a big-mouthed bass every time. I also really like the heavy arpeggios during the verse and the chorus which really brings it all home. The lyrics are a really positive outlook on love and relationships that are, again, borderline cheesy, but I still love them.

1. Quicksand

It wasn't until I heard this song in college that I really started liking Warrant. I love the pre-chorus line of "do I love you, yes I do, but I love my own life too." I think many guys struggle with the concept of being in a relationship with someone that they don't dislike, but know that they aren't reaching their full potential with them. I also think this is one of the best guitar solos found in a Warrant song, with several different layers. All in all, definitely my favorite Warrant song and one I wished they played when I saw them live.

Know other good Warrant songs? I'd love to hear them.

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