"Sorry has quickly made an impact. From being loudly characterized as "weird", "he sounds like Ozzy" and "it's not heavy at all. disappointing" in the wee hours of the leak, it has now become a favorite among many. It takes getting used to something really good.

Naturally the theme of the song has people wondering "who's he talking about?", "could it be..?. Some say it's Slash, some say a woman and I've heard the fans mentioned. Or perhaps it could be some other unknown relationship. Let's try and find out, shall we.

You like to hurt me, you know that you do.

Applicable to pretty much anything, but his tone of voice lends credence to something closer, personal.

You like to think in some way it's me and not you.

Now this is definitely personal. Indicative of a single person being addressed as opposed to groups such as media and fans. There is an opening for a small group being the target though, such as his old band.

You like to have me, jump and be good.
But I don't want to do it.

In regards to what? Who do you need to behave for? Certainly not to a friend or love interest. The media, and fans for the most part, love his behavior.

The sentence invokes the need to control for the person, because this behavior is damaging to him in some way. Stage antics, cancellations, delays? Megalomania in general. They hurt the bottom line. I say we are talking about a professional relationship, involving money and appearance. Giving substance to Slash being the target, but also a group such as say the record company.

You don't know why I won't act the way you think I should.

Translated "You don't understand me." A person unwilling or incapable of understanding Axl. Could be anything.

You thought it'd make me behave and submit.

"It"? A specific event, or set of related events. Behave and submit as a result? Certainly not a girlfriend. If she wanted to control him, why did she leave the feeding hand? The record company or other business interest would not do anything drastic to try and influence him. Too risky, and records show the opposite with him being given a great deal of freedom. Could very well be in reference to Slash leaving, threatening to leave, coming back, leaving again and so forth. Giving Axl an ultimatum in the belief that he would not dare carry on without him.

What were you thinking
Cause I don't forget.

The person should've known Axl would never forget. Somebody that's seen it before. Someone he knows well.

You don't know why I won't give in.

Give in what? Reunite the band? Cries from the press, fans? Could be anyone, but seem to refer to a reunion.

To hell with the pressure, I'm not caving in.

Same as above, but the pressure could be unrelated to this person.

You know that I, got under your skin.
You sold your soul, but I won't let you win.
You talk too much, you say I do.
Difference is nobody cares about you.

An emotional aware person meets a lucky go, don't worry about anything person. The sell your sell obviously is about money, implying a professional relationship. Axl goes on like this is a situation still going on today. That this still wants something that Axl won't give him. Definitely not Stephanie or any girl Axl would care about.He talks too much (the press), Axl talks too much (because he gets under his skin, he challenges him). Nobody cares about you (always wanting to know about Axl or Gn'R in interviews). I say it's an interpretation pretty good fit for Slash once again.

You got all the answers. You know everything.
Why nobody asked you, is a mystery to me.

You know everything, but they still come to ask me. Obviously referring to the media. An opening for the fans as well here.

I'm sorry for you, not sorry for me.
You don't know who in the hell to or not to believe.
I'm sorry for you, not sorry for me.
You don't know who you can trust now or you should believe.
You don't know who you can trust now or you should believe.

This is a tricky one. Could be a reference to us and our need to know, the rumors, the bullshit, the insiders. If he's talking about Slash it's probably that all his lying as perceived by Axl has made him unable to know anything anymore. Either of himself or Axl. Axl feels Sorry for this person, that wants something from him. As I said, no girlfriend he'd care about. I just don't see the female factor in this. It reeks of a man to man relationship.

You close your eyes, all well and good.
I kicked your ass like I said that I would.
You tell them stories they'd rather believe.
Use and abuse them, they're numb and naive.

Lack of self awareness. Kicking your ass. Definitely talking about a man here. Tell them stories, the media and us. We're groups, therefore numb and naive. Heavy reference to Slash and his media appearances.

Truth is the truth hurts, don't you agree.
It's harder to live with the truth about you then the lies about me.

Somebody with a vendetta against Axl. Somebody Axl thinks have been lying. Not many options for that.

Nobody owes you. Not one goddamn thing.
You know where to put your "just shut up and sing".

Immediately makes you think of the fans, but the following line is unlikely to be about them. The only thing they are pissed about is the wait and breakup. Imo this is about the live setting. The need to interrupt the set with something other than sining. Probably another band member.

I'm sorry for you, not sorry for me.
You don't know who in the hell to or not to believe.
I'm sorry for you, not sorry for me.
You chose to hurt those that love you and won't set them free. Won't set them free.
You chose to hurt those that love you and won't set them free.

Those that love you? Definitely not talking about the fans. They only love Axl. Talking about a single person here that is loved by many. Could very well be a reference to Slash leaving the "gn'r family".

Obviously I've been biased to the Slash angle since the beginning, but when going through it piece by piece I don't see a whole lot of other options. This is a specific song. I see no indication of broader themes being introduced such as in Madagascar. If it is about Slash it sure gives an interesting, personal perspective on the relationship on Axls part. And we all know he's obsessive enough to want to write a song about it.

But in the end you decide.