Six Things You Didn't Know About 'November Rain'
MTV celebrates an important moment in its history this week: 17 years ago, Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” premiered on “Headbangers Ball.” Since the video dropped in 1992, plenty has changed: Axl Rose has hired and fired dozens of bandmembers (finally releasing the long-awaiting Chinese Democracy last year) and Slash has gone from solo artist to Velvet Revolver axeman. One thing hasn’t changed, though: “November Rain” is still as inexplicable as it was when it first aired on MTV. If you haven’t seen it, take the time to enjoy all 9 minutes of Axl’s magnum opus, and then check out all the things you might have missed about it.
» “November Rain” was directed by a gentleman named Andy Morahan, whose résumé includes two other Guns clips (”Don’t Cry” and “Estranged”), many videos for other artists (Michael Jackson’s “Give in to Me,” George Michael’s “Faith,” Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” and Van Halen’s “Poundcake”) and the feature film “Highlander III: The Sorcerer.” He is currently in production on a project called “God’s Spy,” whose plot synopsis goes like this: “A Jesuit priest working undercover as a Wall Street trader becomes caught up in a political and financial conspiracy involving the Vatican Bank, the CIA, the Mafia, and Masonic Lodge P2.”
» A few casting notes: Axl’s wife is played by Stephanie Seymour, a model who made a name for herself posing for Sports Illustrated, Playboy and the Victoria’s Secret catalog. Seymour was Rose’s actual girlfriend at the time (he claims they were engaged, she denies this), but they broke up in 1993 when Axl accused Seymour of cheating on him (they also accused each other of domestic assault). Seymour also appears in the video for “Don’t Cry.” Meanwhile, one of the most famous shots in the video came care of MTV’s own Riki Rachtman, who was the host of “Headbangers Ball,” friends with Axl and the guy who dove through the wedding cake at the video’s climax.
» At the time it was released, “November Rain” was considered the most expensive video ever made (it has since been eclipsed by a number of videos, most notably Michael & Janet Jackson’s “Scream”). The total cost? $1.5 million. A tenth of the production budget came in the construction of the chapel in the desert.
» Though it appears as though the concert footage is real, the scenes of Guns N’ Roses performing were entirely staged: the band rented a theater in Los Angeles and brought in 1,500 extras to play an audience. Rather than simply mime playing their instruments and lip-synching along to a pre-recorded track, Guns actually played through the song (as well as a number of other tunes in their canon) in order to keep the extras entertained.
» The video is actually based (albeit loosely) around a short story called “Without You,” written by Del James. The story tells the tale of a blues musician who tries to cope with a girlfriend who has committed suicide. James was another friend of Axl’s and co-wrote several Guns tunes, as well as songs for Testament and TNT.
» “November Rain” remains the longest song to ever crack the Billboard top 10, peaking at #2 in August of 1992 (it was kept out of the top spot by the likes of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” and Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road”). Despite its high profile, the video was only nominated for two Video Music Awards in 1992 (Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction) and beat out clips from Genesis, Tori Amos, Eric Clapton and En Vogue for the cinematography prize. However, it was picked as the top video of 1992 during MTV’s year-end countdown.
Source: MTV
Comments
Number of comments : 45
6/15/2009 | 8:13:22 PM by Amore
Cool, a few bits I didnt know about
6/15/2009 | 8:44:40 PM by Estranged
The best way to learn about the video is to watch The Making of November Rain. Great interviews with Axl and Co. The same goes for Estranged and Don't Cry.
The worst part of the video is Riki Rachtman (note the gay spelling, "Riki") jumping through the cake. That is retarded. I'm sorry Mr. Rachtman, is there something about rain that prevents you from seeking cover in an orderly fashion? You just destroyed a very expensive cake.
6/15/2009 | 9:56:51 PM by Jim
Kept out of the top spot by Sir-Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back".. Holy fucking shit is that unbelievable
6/15/2009 | 10:32:38 PM by poophair
destroying a very expensive cake is rock n roll man! thats what rock bands do, they destroy expensive shit. although i do enjoy a nice and blump booty, november rain is actually a song and not just a catchy tune meant for mass youth consumption. it proves once again people are idiots when it comes to music. so it is, so it's always been.
6/15/2009 | 10:35:00 PM by Capn Gil
My favorite part of the trilogy is when Axl tries to kill himself at the end of 'Estranged.'
6/15/2009 | 11:42:40 PM by ors
That's actually two things I didn't know about 'November Rain'. :)
6/16/2009 | 5:20:44 AM by Estranged
Axl doesn't try to kill himself at the end of the Estranged video. He jumps off the oil tanker around minute 6 of a 9 minute song. The video ends with Matt saving him in a helicopter (as bizarre as that sounds now that I think of it).
As for November Rain and Don't Cry being boring songs, they are not. They are great songs. Sadly people remember the videos, I blame MTV for overplaying them. The songs are genius and the videos are unique. It is unfortunate that to the fair weather fan, GNR is NR, D'C, and SCOM. But such is life.
6/16/2009 | 6:49:04 AM by Brandon
Baby Got Back? I freakin love that song!!!! It's just as catchy as anthing Eminem ever put out and there's a few of his songs I can't get out of my head. Haha.
Hey GnR4ever? When are things gonna happen with this new band? I remember you saying the tour would be announced in May. Aren't we half way through June? Haha. Just giving you shit cause I can. : )
6/16/2009 | 7:41:04 AM by split66
November Rain is a great song.. Don't Cry.. not so much. Nice song to listen to but relatively simple compared to Estranged and November Rain. I think Stephanie liked the song so Axl made her a video :)
Regardless... they have put some great music out there and as over the top as some video parts were.. they were for sure entertaining.
6/16/2009 | 9:03:37 AM by jp-uk
well that was a wasted 2 minutes didnt learn anything of any interest! and when did november rain become a video first and a song second?! never watched it and never will,had my c.d since 91
6/16/2009 | 9:31:17 AM by asdasd
When Axll will release CD 2? HAHAHAHAHAHH!!!
6/16/2009 | 9:59:58 AM by lalala
REUNION NOW!!! REUNION NOW!!! REUNION NOW!!!REUNION NOW!!!REUNION NOW!!!
FUCK NEW GNR!!!
FUCK NEW GNR!!!
FUCK NEW GNR!!!
FUCK NEW GNR!!!
FUCK NEW GNR!!!
ALL THE FANS MUST GO TO AXL AND TELL HIM TO DO THE FUCKIN REUNION DAMN!!!!!!!
I'LL GO OUT OF AXL'S HOUSE AND I'LL SCREAMING ALL THE TIME : AXL DO THE REUNION NOW MOTHERFUCKER OR YOU ARE A FUCKIN LOSER!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! slash come back!!!!!!!!
6/16/2009 | 11:41:26 AM by ors
Hey lalala, if you'd followed the development recently (if recently is the last 10 years) you'd know that it's not up to just Axl.
And for the record: New GNR f"¤)%ing rocks!
6/16/2009 | 12:26:38 PM by lalala
NEW GNR IS A PIECE OF SHIT OK???? SO CD SUX!!!
DONT BE FOOL, AXL MUST DO REUNION NOW!!!
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK,WE SALUTE YOU!!!
ORIGINAL GNR 4 EVER,FUCK AXL'S NEW TRIBUTE BAND!!!
6/16/2009 | 12:32:55 PM by jp-uk
hey lala land.....if gnr do ever reform,then i hope u enjoy! does ur mother torture u whilst force feeding u chinese democracy?? get over it
6/16/2009 | 1:10:21 PM by fake pat
brandon!!..your alive?...how is my californian buddy?.
6/16/2009 | 1:19:58 PM by lalala
jp-uk,first of all FUCK YOU!, new gnr is CRAP!,
Axl is a fuckin bastard who destroyed the band,how can say slash's a cancer,hah???
...and FUCK UK!
6/16/2009 | 2:04:04 PM by jp-uk
hehehe this is comedy gold,why r u asking me why axl is saying something!! i dont fuckin know!! and even if i did i can only imagine it might be a bit over simple for you to understand
6/16/2009 | 2:41:14 PM by jason miller
vanhalen sucks!!!!!!!!
6/16/2009 | 2:52:38 PM by jp-uk
do i detect a hint of irony there mr miller;)
6/16/2009 | 2:56:50 PM by lalala
W. Axl Rose
9130 Sunset Strip Blvd
Los Angeles, CA, 90069
axelrose64@aol.com
Dr pepper free!
6/16/2009 | 3:05:34 PM by jp-uk
not never been to l.a myself so i may be wrong here,but i dont think sunset boulevard,is a place in which axl would get any privacy!! lol he'd be getting pictured daily
6/16/2009 | 3:10:17 PM by jp
im also guessing he spell his name correctly whilst setting up an e-mail address,in fact i would hazard a guess that most he would not even use his name at all,ahhh fuck it im gonna give michaeljackson@hotmail.com a shot u never know!!
6/16/2009 | 3:34:31 PM by Estranged
"axelrose64@aol.com" - come on, axEl??????
By the way, he lives in Malibu, on Latigo Canyon road, everyone knows were his house is. Unfortunately all you can see is his big gate door.
6/16/2009 | 4:04:38 PM by Buy the best
Any real news?
and screw a reunion, it wont happen so live with it...
6/16/2009 | 4:19:39 PM by Brandon
Hey Fake Pat. Yeah, I am alive. Haha. You can find me over on my Facebook page. I don't get in here too much lately.
http://www.facebook.com/brandon.cardona
6/16/2009 | 4:28:03 PM by J
14yearsofsilence@hotmail.com
6/16/2009 | 5:38:22 PM by J
How bout a big old video extravaganza for This I Love...dont get much more theatrical than that tune...cant you see it in your minds eye?
6/16/2009 | 5:43:15 PM by Pizzzaguy
give elvispresley@hotmail.com a shot while you´re at it ;)
6/16/2009 | 5:58:52 PM by lalala
Buy the best
Any real news?
and screw a reunion, it wont happen so live with it...
SCREW YOU, not the reunion. The real news is there is NO news!!!
Maybe we'll wait 14 again Axl to put out the video clip of Better. Sorry this is ridiculous.
6/16/2009 | 6:30:22 PM by jp-uk
i actually checked,the elvis hotmail its for a tribute act,hes not very succesful though,nor any good but fuck me hes made ten albums this year done 200 and a half shows,and hes even got round to makin sum videos.........there ya go lala land
6/16/2009 | 6:33:29 PM by slane92
lalala,
I think the word you are looking for is....
Bullshits
You will find its a word that can have a lot of meaning ;-)
(I dont care if if its not a real word, I love it...)
6/16/2009 | 7:59:13 PM by lalala
slane92, reunion now! I call Axl now to tell him do reunion or go kill his self!
6/16/2009 | 8:09:45 PM by REO
The best trilogy of all time Don't Cry, Estranged y Novmeber Rain.
Theres no one group except Metallica(Unforgiven) how had that kind of video art.
But WHERE is the F@%&%$#"#$# Better's Video, we need more new stuff Axl PLEASE!!!!!!
6/16/2009 | 8:42:24 PM by J
I heard that if you play Catcher backwards it says "Fuck fuck fuck the fans. Fuck fuck fuck the fans"...pretty creepy huh?
6/16/2009 | 10:48:56 PM by jp-uk
h8 2 call ye reo,u seem a sensible enough poster,but........Theres no one group except Metallica(Unforgiven) how had that kind of video art. ermmmmm how about the who or pink floyd??they made several concept albums which they then devised actual movies that accompanied the music,every movie had each entire album on them,with all songs played in full,some of the movies even had extra tracks on!! (oh and just 4 the record,these 2 great bands did make a lot of normal albums 2) peace
6/17/2009 | 3:37:16 AM by GnRLIARS
hey Brandon, welcome back for now...
I just got back from California. First time swimming in the Pacific Ocean
6/17/2009 | 4:40:15 AM by Whatever
Stephanie Seymour did not make her name out of posing for Playboy or Swimsuit Illustrated. There are many girls that pose for those magazines that go by unknown. Guns N' Roses "branded" her, unfortunately. Had she not been involved with Axl or GNR's videos, probably no one on this page would even recognize her name. And believe it or not, there ARE many people out there who do not know who she is till this, especially those who were never into GNR. Compare this to Cindy Crawford or Claudia Schiffer.
6/17/2009 | 5:35:27 AM by 13SlasHer
cool.....
some info I didn't know :)
November Rain rules............
by the way, does anybody knows when the tour gonna happens???????????????
6/17/2009 | 6:57:40 AM by Brandon
Hey GnRLIARS. What part of California were you in? L.A. Area has warm water. Anything North of that is cold as hell! Don't get me wrong....I love the California coast...just too cold for my liking
6/17/2009 | 9:05:35 AM by Damn
GUNS N' ROSES: 'Chinese Democracy' Guitar Book Due This Month - June 16, 2009
A book of GUNS N' ROSES "Chinese Democracy" guitar transcriptions is scheduled for release on June 30 through Hal Leonard Corporation.
How many books? Hows? Books,books,books...
6/17/2009 | 4:11:36 PM by J
One of the commenters on blabbermouth wrote something like "This will really come in handy for the next set of guys in the band"...LOL
6/17/2009 | 5:25:28 PM by J
Oops oh shit was referring to the tablature book that came out for Chi-Dem D'oh!
6/18/2009 | 3:05:25 AM by GnRLIARS
Brandon,
was down in San Diego, first time in cali, was on my honeymoon. San Diego was really cool. I love California
Post a comment
Do not post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-orientated or any other material that may violate any applicable laws. The IP address of all posts is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. In deciding how to behave please bear in mind that the best general guideline we can give you with regard towards behaviour towards others is treat others as you would have them treat you.
Due to a lot of spam in the news comments, we have a spam protection.
Thanks for your understanding, happy writing!
Tour dates
Current tour dates.
Fri•Aug 27, 2010 Reading, UK Sun•Aug 29, 2010 Leeds, UKPast tour dates
Setlists, reviews, audio, video etc.
Mon•Jun 14, 2010 Aalborg, Denmark Sat•Jun 12, 2010 Norje, Sweden Tue•Jun 8, 2010 Moscow, Russia Sun•Jun 6, 2010 Saint Petersburg, Russia Sat•Jun 5, 2010 Helsinki, FinlandLatest News
Axl Rose Back In NYC... Gilby On Motorbike Crash... Happy Birthday, Slash!... GN'R Singer Axl Rose Snapped C... Guns N' Roses Confirmed for Ro...Most commented news
The Blues, Chinese Democracy...(915) Official Release of "Better"...(377) Scoop of the year: 4 GN'R al...(362) Bach Confirms Shows for Japa...(344) Slash On CD: "It's A Great S...(313)Site updates
Europe tour dates added... • May 15 Central America tour date... • Apr 7 Tour dates updated... • Mar 17 Edmonton Setlist Added.... • Jan 18 Edmonton Review Added.... • Jan 18Recent Pictures
