There are two versions of how the song came to existence. One version says the song is about a friend of the band, a girl named Michelle Young who is thanked in the
Appetite for Destruction cover sleeve. Slash knew Young throughout junior high, as she was a friend of Slash's first girlfriend. According to
Axl Rose, he and Young were in a car together when "
Your Song" by
Elton John came on the radio and Young happened to mention that she had always wanted someone to write a song about her. Rose's first attempt was a sweet, almost romantic song, but one that had absolutely nothing to do with the reality of Michelle's life. He was unhappy with this version and re-wrote it, this time seeking to be completely honest. Several members of the band expressed concern over this version of the song, especially Slash, fearing it would upset Young. Rose himself then became hesitant, but finally decided to show it to her. She liked the song and the attention it brought to her, and was especially pleased with its honesty, most notably regarding her drug addiction, the death of her mother and her father's work in the
pornography industry, ==Personnel==