Sweet Child O’ Mine, the riff that turned emotion into a hard rock anthem

Sweet Child O' Mine is a song by Guns N' Roses released in 1987 and included on the album Appetite for Destruction. It's one of the most recognizable hard rock songs of the 1980s. The song originated as a warm-up exercise by Slash, which ended up becoming one of the most famous riffs in rock history.

Musically, it combines heaviness and melody. The opening riff is bright and almost cheerful, while the rhythm section maintains a solid and direct structure. Axl Rose's vocals alternate between a soft tone in the verses and a more aggressive register in the chorus, creating a striking contrast that defines the song's character.

The lyrics are inspired by Erin Everly, Axl's girlfriend at the time, and speak of love, nostalgia, and admiration—something unusual for a band known for darker or more provocative lyrics. This emotional sincerity helped the song connect with a much wider audience.

Sweet Child O’ Mine was the band's first and only number one hit in the United States and played a key role in bringing hard rock to the mass market; its success cemented Guns N’ Roses as one of the most important bands of their generation and turned the song into a timeless rock classic.