Nightrain

The story behind *Nightrain* is as raw and direct as its sound. It was born out of necessity, from those nights when the budget was tight but the desire to rock was abundant. The band pays homage to a brand of Californian fortified wine, *Night Train Express*, known for its low cost and high alcohol content, which became a faithful companion in their early days. The title itself is a play on words, merging the name of the drink with the idea of a night journey.

The composition of *Nightrain* was a collaborative and almost spontaneous process. It is said that the main riff emerged from an improvisation between Slash and Izzy Stradlin on the floor of their rehearsal room. The next day, with Slash indisposed, Stradlin, along with Duff McKagan, finished shaping the music, although the lyrics were still missing. The final spark came one night while they were walking down Palm Avenue in West Hollywood, sharing a bottle of this wine. Someone shouted "I'm on the night train!", and the phrase resonated with everyone, inspiring Axl Rose to improvise the vocal lines that completed the song in a matter of a day. On the recording, Duff McKagan used a Gibson Thunderbird bass, something particular as for the rest of the album *Appetite for Destruction* he opted for a Fender Precision Bass. The track, with a duration of 4:28, was released in July 1989 as the fifth and final single from their debut album.