Guns N' Roses - November Rain

Written by Axl Rose, the original version of this song was 25-minutes long, and was edited down to 8:59. It is the longest ever Top 10 hit and contains the longest guitar solo in a Top 10 single.

Slash actually plays two guitar solos in the song. Rose put the song's lengthy gestation period down to opposition from Slash and Duff McKagan.

The lyrics and the video are based on a short story by Del James called Without You. The story is part of a collection called The Language Of Fear, which was brought back to market in 2008 after being out of print. The new version of the book contains an intro by Axl Rose, who wrote:

"Del James has a personal knowledge of most of the situations he writes about, and has a love of the gutter from having been there."

James contributed lyrics to two Guns N' Roses songs: "The Garden" and "Yesterdays," and has directed several music videos.

A huge production, the "November Rain" video cost over $1.5 million to make, but reaped rewards for the band, as it got a lot of play on MTV. It stars actress and model Stephanie Seymour, Axl Rose's girlfriend at the time. In the video, she and Axl get married with Slash serving as best man and the rest of the band in the front row. After the wedding, it starts raining and the next scene is Stephanie's funeral in the same church.

Lyrics

When I look into your eyes

I can see a love restrained

But, darlin', when I hold you

Don't you know I feel the same? Yeah

'Cause nothing lasts forever

And we both know hearts can change

And it's hard to hold a candle

In the cold November rain

We've been through this such a long, long time

Just tryna kill the pain, ooh yeah

But lovers always come and lovers always go

And no one's really sure who's lettin' go today, walkin' away

If we could take the time to lay it on the line

I could rest my head, just knowin' that you were mine, all mine

So, if you want to love me

Then, darlin', don't refrain

Or I'll just end up walkin'

In the cold November rain

Do you need some time on your own?

Do you need some time all alone?

Ooh, everybody needs some time on their own

Ooh, don't you know you need some time all alone?

I know it's hard to keep an open heart

When even friends seem out to harm you

But if you could heal a broken heart

Wouldn't time be out to charm you, whoa-whoa

Sometimes, I need some time on my own

Sometimes, I need some time all alone

Ooh, everybody needs some time on their own

Ooh, don't you know you need some time all alone?

And when your fears subside

And shadows still remain, ooh yeah

I know that you can love me

When there's no one left to blame

So, never mind the darkness

We still can find a way

'Cause nothin' lasts forever

Even cold November rain

Don't ya think that you need somebody?

Don't ya think that you need someone?

Everybody needs somebody

You're not the only one, you're not the only one

Don't ya think that you need somebody?

Don't ya think that you need someone?

Everybody needs somebody

You're not the only one, you're not the only one

Don't ya think that you need somebody?

Don't ya think that you need someone?

Everybody needs somebody

You're not the only one, you're not the only one

Don't ya think that you need somebody?

Don't ya think that you need someone?

Everybody needs somebody