By Mark Nobes, chief editor
Although it has never been officially announced anywhere, it is believed that the song is about the difficult relationship between lead singer Axl Rose and his wife (now his ex) Erin Everly.
The B-side of "Patience" features the song Rocket Queen, a track from the band's debut album Appetite For Destruction. The song also featured as the B-side to the original 1988 UK release of "Sweet Child O' Mine" but was not included on the more successful 1989 release. the UK 12 inch also features an interview with Axl Rose which was recorded in Los Angeles on 19th May 1989.
"Patience" was the only track to be released as a single from G N' R Lies, which, although released as a studio album, it was really an extended play. The first four tracks had already featured on the EP Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide, with the other four tracks being acoustic numbers - one of these was a wonderful downtempo version of You're Crazy, a track that previously featured on Appetite For Destruction.
The whistling intro part of the video features the band in a recording studio. We then see Slash in a hotel room with a snake and then a scantily clad lady. However, Slash is more interested in playing with his snake than the lady - no innuendo intended! The video switches between the band in the studio and hotel scenes throughout.
The single also reached No.2 on the Irish Singles Chart, No.3 on the Dutch Single Top 100, Nol.4 on the Dutch Top 40, No.7 on the Billboard rock chart, No.8 on the Official Finnish Charts (Finland) and No.9 on Belgium's official chart.
