Guns N' Roses 'November Rain' Video Has Heartbreaking Meaning, Del James Reveals

Guns N' Roses' "November Rain" music video has a heartbreaking meaning.

In 1992, Guns N' Roses dropped "November Rain" as the third single from the band's studio album, "Use Your Illusion." The track reached high ranks on different charts, including the Billboard Hot 100, Portuguese Singles Chart, and UK Singles Chart, to name a few.

Aside from the song itself, "November Rain" also became known for its music video. In fact, its 1992 video is currently one of the most-watched rock videos from the 1990s after passing 2 billion views on YouTube.

Although decades have already passed since its release, there are still mysteries surrounding the music video's plot and storyline.

The end of the music video reveals that it is based on "Without You," a short story written by Del James in his 1995 book, "The Language of Fear." According to the author, who has been friends with the band members for decades, he wrote the story based on Axl Rose and Erin Everly's relationship.

In a past interview for the "November Rain: Makin' F@*!ing Videos" documentary (via Appetite for Discussion), James detailed how he finished the story.

"The 'Without You' story came about on a night where Axl called me, when he was still living with his girlfriend - who later on became his wife - Erin Everly, at about 4:00 in the morning and said, 'Dude, you have to come over here,'" the author said.

James then revealed that the song is about a rock star named Mayne - who was made based on Rose - who writes the song of the same title about a woman (named Elizabeth) he loves but cannot have.

More Mysteries About Guns N' Roses' "November Rain" Music Video

Although the music video did not fully follow the events in "Without You," it referenced several parts of the stories. In one scene, the wife dies, but no one ever knew how.

James recalled writing the story and showing it to Rose. The singer eventually wrote his own version of "Without You," making it "Estranged." The song then has those two words in its final verse.

"It's based around a song that this guy writes when it's over in his relationship and what happens," the rocker said. "I had never planned on that. I never even thought of that. It just ended up fitting together, and I was on a different track, but the two came together."