Expert: J.J.B - 11/4/2003

Question
I've just watched november rain on tv and have decided to loosely base an essay on it. i must have this essay done by tomorrow, so can you please PLEASE answer me as soon as possible??? Thanks. I just need a kind of summary on the meaning/significance of the song and video and how they realte to each other. I plan to incorporate this into my essay somehow. You're the closest thing i could get to this! Please write back as soon as possible!

Answer
Hello Paula,

Judging from the time I was sent your question, only a few hours have elapsed so this should get to you in time. Remember - it's NEVER a good idea to leave things like this till the last second!

The November Rain video clip is just one way of interpreting the song, and stresses a particular message that Axl is trying to convey through imagery.

First the song -

In short - November Rain is a song about living for the moment and cherishing those who love you and those you love by being there for them.

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

This particular verse, the opening verse, shows this message quite well. Axl is describing how people who love others sometimes restrain their feelings (or hold back their feelings) because they are scared of what may occurr should they be open. The song is trying to describe a situation to the listener where one person loves another, but is scared to open up, and faces the threat of losing a loved one because they were too scared to show their feelings. This message is shown again in the following:

So if you want to love me
then darlin' don't refrain
Or I'll just end up walkin'
In the cold November rain

Now the video -

The clip shows what is unavoidable in life - we meet someone very special and decide to spend the rest of our lives with them, only for them to leave us later on (in this case, through death). In the clip, Axl cannot sleep without his loved one beside him, and questions whether or not he did and said everything he wanted to with this person, his special someone. The message is - live for the moment, spend each day with your loved ones as though they are your last and never hold back.

Hope I helped, Paula, let me know how you go on the essay, and if you have the spare time I'd love to see the final essay you've written on GNR!

Take it easy, and do not hesitate to contact me again with any other questions.

Regards,

JJB