Sweet Child o' Mine

Guns N' Roses released their debut album Appetite for Destruction in July 1987, but the track that would define their career waited until June 1988 to hit the airwaves as a single. Written by Slash and Axl Rose, this five-minute epic opened with an instantly recognizable ascending guitar riff that became one of the most famous intros in rock history. The song explores themes of love and nostalgia, with Rose penning the lyrics about his then-girlfriend Erin Everley while recalling her childhood smile.

Upon its release, the track skyrocketed up the charts to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on September 10, 1988. It remains the band's only number-one single in America. While it peaked at number six in the UK during its initial run, a remix re-release in May 1989 helped solidify its international status. The song's success played a major role in pushing Appetite for Destruction to sell over 30 million copies worldwide. [edit]