Expert: J.J.B - 3/5/2004

Question
what does the lyrics signify? whom is axl referring to? ive heard rumours this song was originally a folk song..is it true? thanks a lot/  

Answer
Another question from my good friend Aneesh,

The song 'Sweet Child O' Mine' was not written entirely by Axl Rose (however, the majority of the lyrics are thanks to Axl). Slash and Izzy Stradlin also had significant imput into the lyrics and musical direction of the song.

The lyrical side of the song is a straight up love song, written primarily about Axl Rose's then girlfriend, Erin Everly, based on fact, not fiction. While Axl's lyrics may seem a tad sappy to the casual listener, the song was written not only to express Axl's feelings about his girlfriend, but to touch on the emotions we all feel when we're in love with someone special.

The song was never a folk song, the way it was released is exactly the way Axl Rose and the rest of GNR originally invisioned the song.

Thanks again,

JJB