10 Best Acoustic Hard Rock Songs

The end of the 80's marked a pretty turbulent time for Guns N Roses when they released their debut record Appetite for Destruction. With the sales going through the roof, the band were touring relentlessly as they led their own path of self-destruction. In between their rigorous schedule, the band found time to duck into a studio and lay down some acoustic cuts for an EP.

While there are great songs on GNR Lies, "Patience" is the standout by far with its laid back tone and singalong breakdown from Axl Rose. Written by guitarist Izzy Stradlin about his relationship, the song is one of the most genuine songs the band have ever written. The song is already great with nothing but an acoustic guitar, but the little unplugged blues licks added by Slash bring just the right counterpoint to Axl's vocal.

Though the band would get more grandiose with their ballads on later releases like "Don't Cry" and "November Rain," "Patience" is what happens when the street rats of GNR are brought back down to earth after the hard rock bombast. In the era of the glossy power ballads, Guns N Roses proved you didn't need to bring lush production to create something musically stunning.