Video hit Guns N' Roses

Guns N' Roses - Patience

"Patience" is a power ballad by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, which appears on the album G N' R Lies and was released as a single in 1989. The song peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song is played using three acoustic guitars and was recorded in a single session by producer Mike Clink. A music video of the song was shot and appears on the band's music video DVD, Welcome to the Videos.

The music and lyrics were both written by Izzy Stradlin.

Tesla guitarist, Frank Hannon, later implied that Guns N' Roses had copied Tesla's earlier work, stating that a demo by Tesla called "Better Off Without You" was "'Patience' note for note."

Hannon later backtracked on his blog, saying "The song is a great song that they wrote themselves, and it is only the end part that has any similar part to the guitar chords we used. I apologize for any controversy or dis-respect I may have projected in my joking around with Eddie Trunk about this."

The motivation for the track is generally accepted to be the troublesome relationship between Axl Rose and now ex-wife Erin Everly, though this was never stated in the album or interviews. According to bass guitarist Duff McKagan, "Axl came up with a great lyric, seemingly out of nowhere, that of course became the story and melody of that song."

It has also been stated by the band that Izzy wrote the song about his ex-girlfriend Angela Nicoletti McCoy, but it may simply be about failed relationships in general.

Steven Adler did not record on the track, although in some live performances prior to release of the album, such as their performance at the Orange County Fair in New York in the summer of 1988, percussion (and electric instruments) were used.

In the video, the band members are situated in a hotel where they are the only constant images, as all other people are present for a moment, then fade away. More recently fans have taken another view on the song, as now Rose is the only remaining member from the original lineup. In a precognitive twist, the final parts of the video show Rose sitting alone in his home watching older Guns N' Roses videos in what appears to be a sad and lonely state.

The video, directed by Nigel Dick, was one of many produced by the band.

It was the last video in which Steven Adler appeared (even though he did not play on the recorded track) and the last before the Use Your Illusion videos.

The video was shot in The Ambassador Hotel, famous because Bobby Kennedy was assassinated there in 1968.

The hotel was inoperative and scheduled for demolition, but was not demolished until 2006.

The lyrics:

One, two, one, two, three, four

Shed a tear because I'm missing you

I'm still alright to smile

Girl, I think about you every day now

Was a time when I wasn't sure

But you set my mind at ease

There is no doubt you're in my heart now

Said, woman, take it slow

And it'll work itself out fine

All we need is just a little patience

Said, sugar, make it slow

And we'll come together fine

All we need is just a little patience

Patience

I sit here on the stairs

Cause I'd rather be alone

If I can't have you right now I'll wait, dear

Sometimes I get so tense

But I can't speed up the time

But you know, love, there's one more thing to consider

Said, woman, take it slow

And things will be just fine

You and I'll just use a little patience

Said, sugar, take the time

'Cause the lights are shining bright

You and I've got what it takes to make it

We won't fake it

Oh, I'll never break it

Cause I can't take it

Little patience, mhh yeah

Need a little patience, mhh yeah

Just a little patience, mhh yeah

Some more patience

I've been walking the streets at night (yeah)

Just trying to get it right (Need some patience)

It's hard to see with so many around (yeah)

You know, I don't like being stuck in the crowd (Could use some patience)

And the streets don't change but, baby, the names(yeah)

I ain't got time for the game (Gotta have some patience)

'Cause I need you, yeah (yeah)

Yeah, but I need you (All it takes is patience, yeah)

Oh, I need you (Just a little patience)

Oh, I need you (Is all you need)

Oh, this time