Patience

"Patience" is a song by the American hard rock group Guns N' Roses, which appears on the album G N' R Lies and was released as a single in 1989. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The song is played using four 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 written by rhythm guitarist and founding member, Izzy Stradlin. 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. It has been stated by the band that Izzy wrote the song about his ex-girlfriend Angela Nicoletti McCoy. Other points of view point to the video and suggest it is about failed relationships in general. In the video, the band members are situated in a hotel where they are the only constant images, and 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 an ironic and 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.

[Intro] One, two, one, two, three, four *Whistling* [Verse 1] Shed a tear 'cause I'm missin' 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 [Chorus] 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, mm yeah... [Verse 2] 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 [Chorus] 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 shinin' bright You and I've got what it takes to make it We won't fake it, aw, I'll never break it, 'cause I can't take it [Guitar Solo] [Outro] (Little patience, hm yeah, hm yeah) (Need a little patience, yeah) (Just a little patience, yeah) (Some more patience) I've been walkin' the streets at night (Yeah) Just tryin' to get it right (A little patience) It's hard to see with so many around (Yeah) You know I don't like bein' stuck in the crowd (Could use some patience) An' the streets don't change, but maybe the names (Yeah) I ain't got time for the game 'cause I need you (Gotta have more patience) Yeah-yeah, but I need you (Yeah) Ooh, I need you (All it takes is patience) Oh, I need you (Just a little patience) Ooh, this time (Is all you need)