Song Meaning & Background: November Rain by Guns N' Roses

ARTIST: Guns n' roses | ALBUM: use your illusion i | RELEASED: 1992

This used to be my favorite song for a while as it gave me great comfort when I was going to through some rough times in my life.

Guns N' Roses' classic, Appetite for Destruction, saw the band bring hard rock music back to mainstream, that is, the singles off of the album were very well received on MTV and radio stations around the world. Front-man Axl Rose, however, determined to change course despite the enormous success of their debut album, in favor of more commercial friendly, ballad-like music. That's the foundation of the Illusion albums.

"November Rain" was written well in advance; Axl wrote it on his piano in early 1980s, but never considered putting it on the Appetite album, maybe it wasn't as "heavy" as they liked it to be. Furthermore, much more distorted-sound "Sweet Child O' Mine" was already included so the band decided to do away with "November Rain" at the time.

On an interesting historical note, Axl has said he always wanted to create a song similar to "Stairway to Heaven" and "Bohemian Rhapsody." In fact it's no secret that Axl was a huge fan of Queen. He described them as the single most important musical influence of his  rock n' roll career. Musically, "November Rain" has a close resemblance to both of these songs, highlighted by the increasing tempo changes and chord progression.

As for the meaning of the lyrics, according to Axl himself, the song is about "not wanting to be in a state of having to deal with unrequited love." This could be interpreted as one person, maybe Axl, is in love with a women, or willing to give love, but unable to receive similar admiration from his lover. I believe Axl was married at the time of the release of the single so his personal experiences might have aided him to polish the final cut of the song. In fact, the wedding depicted in the music video features Axl and his girlfriend at the time getting married.

Analysis of lyrics:

As far as my interpretation of the song goes, I believe it's about a young man seeking lighter days while being in the midst of a turmoil with his girlfriend.^1,2,3,4 They both have come to terms that if they can't get along any longer, it's better for both of them to part ways.

I can see a love restrained¹ - young man ( protagonist of the song ) is saying to his lover that love isn't as deep as it was when they started the relationship

And we both know hearts can change⁶ - this line is similar to that of Shakespeare's "Sonnet 116", which reads, " Love is not love /  Which alters when it alteration finds." Both G N' R and Shakespeare is saying that over time love changes when the lovers find someone new/better. In fact, "November Rain" has many similar thematic aspects to "Sonnet 116."

We've been through this such a long, long time / Just trying to kill the pain^10,11 - they struck with each other through thick and thin because they love each other more than they hate each other.

I could rest my head just knowing that you were mine, all mine¹⁵ - we like to hanker after the fun times once those days are well beyond us

Or I'll just end up walking in the cold November rain¹⁷ - usual November rain consists of cold wind chills and even freezing rain. So it a great symbolism of what's about to come if the couple doesn't sort out their personal problems.

Do you need some time on your own?¹⁹ - as my grandma used to say, time eventually heals all wounds. So what this line means is that if the couple is in rough shape, spending time away from each other may be the best.

I know it's hard to keep an open heart²⁴ - this is a strong line. It means in a time where everybody's out there live off of you, you cannot trust anybody, even your very close friends or loved ones.

Wouldn't time be out to charm you?²⁷ - this possesses a similar to mean to "Do you need some time on your own?"¹⁹

Lines 34 to 41 - these few lines mean, even though maintaining a relationship can be hard, it's important to realize that they both need each other more than they hate each other. So it's best to "find a way" to live together because life does "last forever," it ends at some point like the "November rain."

That's my analysis of "November rain," a well written and lyrically deep, song. I think I did an excellent job breaking down the lyrics:-) But I want to know what you think of the song, especially if you happen to be a Guns N' Roses fan. Leave a comment below.

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1. When I look into your eyes
2. I can see a love restrained
3. But darling, when I hold you
4. Don't you know I feel the same?
5. Nothing lasts forever
6. And we both know hearts can change
7. And it's hard to hold a candle
8. In the cold November rain
9. 
   
10. We've been through this such a long, long time
11. Just trying to kill the pain
12. But love is always coming and lover is always going
13. And no one's really sure who's letting go today, walking away
14. If we could take the time to lay it on the line
15. I could rest my head just knowing that you were mine, all mine
16. If you want to love me then darling, don't refrain
17. Or I'll just end up walking in the cold November rain
18. 
    
19. Do you need some time on your own?
20. Do you need some time all alone?
21. Everybody needs some time on their own
22. Don't you know you need some time all alone?
23. 
    
24. I know it's hard to keep an open heart
25. When even friends seem out to harm you
26. But if you could heal a broken heart
27. Wouldn't time be out to charm you?
28. 
    
29. Sometimes I need some time on my own
30. Sometimes I need some time all alone
31. Everybody needs some time on their own
32. Don't you know you need some time all alone?
33. 
    
34. And when your fears subside
35. And shadows still remain
36. I know that you can love me
37. When there's no one left to blame
38. So never mind the darkness
39. We still can find a way
40. 'Cause nothing lasts forever
41. Even cold November rain
42. 
    
43. Don't you think that you need somebody?
44. Don't you think that you need someone?
45. Everybody needs somebody
46. You're not the only one
47. You're not the only one
48. Don't you think that you need somebody?
49. Don't you think that you need someone?
50. Everybody needs somebody
51. You're not the only one
52. You're not the only one
53. Don't you think that you need somebody?
54. Don't you think that you need someone?
55. Everybody needs somebody
56. You're not the only one
57. You're not the only one
58. Don't you think that you need somebody?
59. Don't you think that you need someone?
60. Everybody needs somebody