1992 Power Ballad, Featuring One of Rock's Most Iconic Guitar Solos, Never Hit No. 1
It features one of rock music's most epic guitar solos, but this Guns N' Roses track never reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard Hot 100.
Given its enduring legacy as an iconic rock power ballad and one of the genre's most ambitious guitar solos, fans might assume that "November Rain" was a No. 1 smash hit for the hard rock band - but it only ever peaked at No. 3.
First released by the group on their 1991 album Use Your Illusion I, "November Rain" came out as a single in February 1992 and made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 that June. Two months later, it reached its peak when it soared to the No. 3 spot, bringing the band their second-highest placement ever on the chart. (Their 1988 mega-hit "Sweet Child O' Mine" spent two weeks at No. 1 in 1988.)
But despite "November Rain" never reaching the summit of the Hot 100, its revered guitar solos tell a different story. Slash's multi-part solos on the nearly 9-minute-long track helped establish the song as a defining rock power ballad featuring one of the genre's most celebrated guitar moments.
"November Rain" is frequently included on lists of the best guitar solos of all time, including Guitar World's list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time where the Guns N' Roses track is ranked at No. 6.
Guitar World also ranks "November Rain" as the No. 3 best guitar solo from Slash, following behind "Paradise City" and "Sweet Child O' Mine."
Rolling Stone, however, notably left "November Rain" off its May 2026 list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos, although Slash's solo on "Sweet Child O' Mine" was named No. 25 on that list.
Related: How Is This Rock 'n' Roll Icon Only No. 17 on Rolling Stone's Greatest Singers List?
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 1:34 PM.