November Rain by Guns N’ Roses was years in the making, even predating their massive debut album, Appetite for Destruction.
Though never explicitly stated, the inspiration behind November Rain is believed to stem from Axl Rose’s relationship with Erin Everly, daughter of Don Everly of the Everly Brothers. Rose and Everly, after several years of dating, briefly married in April 1990, but the marriage was short-lived and annulled by early 1991.
The video for “November Rain” offers more clarity on its message. At the end of the epic performance by the band and everyone who made that art possible, the credits read, “Based on the short story ‘Without You’ by Del James.” This story follows a rock star overcome with grief after his girlfriend’s suicide, reflecting themes of love, loss and guilt.
Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Tracii Guns recalls first hearing the song years before its release. “When we were doing that EP for L.A. Guns, in ’83, Axl was already playing ‘November Rain’—on piano, even calling it ‘November Rain.’ It was the only thing he knew how to play, but he’d say, ‘Someday this song is gonna be really cool.’ And I’d go, ‘It’s cool now.’ He’d reply, ‘But it’s not done.’”
Rose understood the weight of the song early on. In 1988, he told Rolling Stone, “If it’s not recorded right, I’ll quit the business.”
Guns N’ Roses released on Use Your Illusion I on September 17, 1991 with 16 songs exploring love and loss. The first three singles released from the album were “Don’t Cry,” released on September 17, followed by “Live and Let Die” on December 9, and then “November Rain,” which came out on February 24, 1992.
Lyrically: November Rain
When I look into your eyesI can see a love restrainedBut darlin’ when I hold youDon’t you know I feel the same?
The opening lines of November Rain immediately hits deep and shows a love that’s powerful and held back. “When I look into your eyes, I can see a love restrained,” reveals a connection, but something’s holding it back. Then, “But darlin’ when I hold you, don’t you know I feel the same?” suggests that both people feel it, even if they can’t fully show it. It’s intense and sets the tone for the song from the start.
Rose shared that “November Rain is a song about not wanting to be in a state of having to deal with unrequited love.”
Nothin’ lasts foreverAnd we both know hearts can changeAnd it’s hard to hold a candleIn the cold November rain
These lyrics capture the struggle of maintaining love when life gets tough. The phrase “nothin’ lasts forever” reflects the inevitability of change, while “hearts can change” highlights the emotional shifts that challenge and define relationships. The image of holding a candle in “cold November rain” symbolizes the fight to keep love alive and passionate, or even burning, during uncertainty.
We’ve been through this such a long long timeJust tryin’ to kill the pain, ooh yeahLove is always coming, love is always goingNo one’s really sure who’s lettin’ go todayWalking away
The lyrics describe the challenges of a long-standing relationship. The phrase “trying to kill the pain” reflects the ongoing struggle to cope with hurt and unresolved feelings. The lines about love “always coming” and “always going” highlight the uncertainty and instability, along with the confusion of “who’s letting go today” speaks to the difficulty both partners face in making the decision to possibly part ways.
If we could take the time to lay it on the lineI could rest my head just knowin’ that you were mineAll mineSo if you want to love me then darlin’ don’t refrainOr I’ll just end up walkin’ in the cold November rain
These lyrics are all about wanting honesty and commitment in a relationship. “Take the time to lay it on the line” means putting everything out there—being real and open, with a desire that the love is returned, as described in “I could rest my head just knowin’ that you were mine.” Then a plea: “If you want to love me, then don’t refrain,” because if emotions are held back, loneliness arrives, symbolized by “walkin’ in the cold November rain”—a metaphor for being stuck in the emotional cold without that love to hold onto.
Do you need some time on your own?Do you need some time all alone?Ooh, everybody needs some time on their ownOoh, don’t you know you need some time all alone
These lines from November Rain reflect the need for personal space in relationships. They acknowledge that even in love, sometimes you need time alone to process your emotions or recharge. The repetition emphasizes that everyone requires moments to themselves. It’s a reminder that taking a step back doesn’t mean love isn’t there; it’s about respecting each other’s individuality while working through the ups and downs together.
This song is like a therapy session.
I know it’s hard to keep an open heartWhen even friends seem out to harm youBut if you could heal a broken heartWouldn’t time be out to charm you?Oh, oh, oh
What poetry here by combining these verses together. While needing time to process and have personal space, the line “It’s hard to keep an open heart” speaks to the pain that comes from being hurt by others, even those who are supposed to be close. The lyrics suggest that with time, healing is possible: “If you could heal a broken heart, wouldn’t time be out to charm you?” This line hints that healing takes patience, and that time can mend wounds, making room for love to come in and make everything whole again.
Sometimes I need some time on my ownSometimes I need some time all aloneOoh, everybody needs some time on their ownOoh, don’t you know you need some time all alone
The contrast between the two verses shifts from questioning the other person’s need for space to awknowldaginbg one’s own need for it.
And when your fears subsideAnd shadows still remain, oh yeahI know that you can love me when there’s no one left to blame
The line “And when your fears subside / And shadows still remain” shows that even after overcoming fear, some pain or uncertainty may linger. However, the next line—”I know that you can love me when there’s no one left to blame”—suggests that love becomes more genuine when there’s no one points a finger, shifting focus from blame to understanding.
So never mind the darkness, we still can find a way‘Cause nothin’ lasts forever, even cold November rain
The lyric “never mind the darkness, we still can find a way” expresses that love can overcome tough times, and “nothin’ lasts forever, even cold November rain” reinforces the idea that even difficult moments, like the cold November rain passes.
Don’t ya think that you need somebody?Don’t ya think that you need someone?Everybody needs somebodyYou’re not the only oneYou’re not the only one
These lyrics, which are repeated for the next few verses, highlight the universal need for connection. The questions “Don’t ya think that you need somebody?” and “Don’t ya think that you need someone?” suggest that no one can truly be alone, no matter how independent they feel. The following lines, “Everybody needs somebody / You’re not the only one,” is a reminder that everyone has emotional needs, and it’s normal to seek support.
“November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses is 8 minutes and 57 seconds long. An early version of the song, which was “about 18 minutes long,” as shared by Slash in his 2007 biography, led the band to focus on its arrangement, with Slash admitting that “we really needed to sit down and focus on arranging it” to refine the final version.
It should also be stated that some say that “November Rain“, “Don’t Cry” and “Estranged” form an unofficial trilogy.
The lyrics of “November Rain” have had a deep impact on culture since its release. The music by the orchestra and Slash’s guitar solo have cemented it as one of the band’s most popular songs. The music video, one of the most expensive ever made at the time at $1.5 million, further amplified its significance, solidifying its place as a ’90s classic, especially with the deeper meaning of the mirror on the coffin.
