Guns N' Roses
November Rain
[Verse 1]
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
[Chorus]
Nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
So, if you want to love me
Then, darlin', don't refrain
Or I'll just end up walkin'
In the cold November rain
[Refrain]
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?
[Bridge]
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, woah-woah
[Guitar Solo]
[Refrain]
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?
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
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
[Chorus]
So, never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain
[Guitar Solo]
[Outro]
(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
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
About
This piano ballad grand masterpiece became the signature song and the centerpiece of their simultaneous twin double album releases Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. Clocking in at almost 9 minutes, “November Rain” features Rose’s desperate vocal and heartfelt piano. A depressing autumn tale of lost love, Slash’s inspired soaring guitar solos and the band’s dramatic dynamics over a crescendo of a swirling string section backed by a powerful choir make the song an instant classic. The song had been a work-in-progress since 1983. Former GNR co-founder and guitarist Tracii Guns explained: When we were doing that EP for L.A. Guns, like ‘83? He was playing “November Rain”—and it was called “November Rain”—you know, on piano. Way back then, it was the only thing he knew how to play, but it was his. He’d go, “Someday this song is gonna be really cool.” And I’d go, “It’s cool now.” “But it’s not done”, you know, he used to say. And, like, anytime we’d be at a hotel or anywhere, there’d be a piano; he’d just kinda play that music. And I’d go, “When are you gonna finish that already”, you know? And he’d go, “I don’t know what to do with it.” The lyrics and video are based on a short story by Del James called “Without You” from 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 has also contributed lyrics to GNR songs The Garden" and “Yesterdays” and has directed several music videos. “November Rain” hit #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #9 in Germany where it charted for 51 weeks, #5 in Australia riding the Top 10 for 22 weeks and #7 in New Zealand ending 1992 as their second best-selling single.
This piano ballad grand masterpiece became the signature song and the centerpiece of their simultaneous twin double album releases Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. Clocking in at almost 9 minutes, “November Rain” features Rose’s d...
Credits
Bass Guitar
Duff McKagan
Drums
Matt Sorum
Programmer
Johann Langlie
Recording Engineer
Mike Clink
Lead Guitar
Slash
Piano
Axl Rose
Mixed At
Skip Saylor Recording
Background Vocals
Axl Rose, Matt Sorum, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, Reba Shaw, Dizzy Reed, Shannon Hoon, Stuart Bailey
Label
Geffen Records, PolyGram
Lead Vocals
Axl Rose
Mastered At
Sterling Sound
Mastering Engineer
George Marino
Rhythm Guitar
Izzy Stradlin, Slash
Synthesizer Programmer
Axl Rose, Johann Langlie
Additional Engineering
Jim Mitchell
Mixing Engineer
Bill Price
Producers
Guns N’ Roses, Mike Clink
String Synthesizer
Axl Rose
Writers
Axl Rose
Assistant Engineer
Allen Abrahamson, John Aguto
Use Your Illusion I
