Music videos no doubt changed the industry forever. Suddenly, artists’ style and appearance was more important than ever. And music videos themselves as an art form evolved from filmed performances by the artists to mini movies that interwove the song into a complex visual narrative. However, the music video for Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” makes no sense. Here’s why.
Guns N’ Roses remain 1 of the most successful rock bands ever
Guns N’ Roses burst onto the music scene in 1985. And the band’s debut studio album, 1987’s Appetite for Destruction, is one of the most beloved hard rock albums of all time. In fact, it features many of their biggest hits, including “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” and “Paradise City.” Their second album, G N’ R Lies yielded only one chart-topper in “Patience.”
But in 1991, Guns N’ Roses released a two-parter that remains the band’s second most notable album. Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II both delivered the hits fans were hoping for. However, Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” — which runs for nearly nine minutes on the album version — emerged as the standout track. And its music video became an epic production in its own right.
The ‘November Rain’ music video was a wild shoot
The Guns N’ Roses “November Rain” music video — which involved a rock star’s grief after his wife’s death — is based on Del James’ short story “Without You.” But its narrative is muddled by a lack of continuity. According to a piece in the Los Angeles Times commemorating the video’s 30th anniversary, director Andy Morahan claims this is because of the band’s specific demands.
Morahan said the band was “pulling apart at the seams” and only wanted to work at night. So rather than try to make it work logically, Morahan leaned into the lack of continuity. As a result, the Guns N’ Roses “November Rain” music video has a dreamlike quality that actually works in its favor. The shift back and forth from day to night doesn’t make logical sense, but even cinematographer Mike Southon recalled the “exhilaration” of making it all come together.
How Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash’s solo scene happened
Although Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose is at the center of the “November Rain” music video, Slash has one of the most memorable moments. During one moment while shooting the video’s wedding ceremony, Slash left the set for a smoke break with the cameras still rolling.
“That gave us the idea of him walking out the door into the middle of nowhere,” Morahan told the LA Times.
That footage ended up being the intro leading into the guitarist’s big solo, which was filmed on a “movie ranch” in New Mexico where the Western Silverado and other projects also were produced.
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