It’s no secret that California has been suffering from drought. In case you aren’t sure what that looks like…here’s a visual from Central Valley.
Living further south than the image above, I have often felt starved for weather. Come fall, without fail, I threaten to move. Given we have lived in SoCal for 18 years you can probably deduce that my threats are not only idol, but fall on the deaf ears of my sweet California raised husband.
I love the rain.
The sound of it outside the window, the look of the trees. The way the beach appears when it is windblown and stormy. All of it. The rain literally brings me utter joy. I find it refreshing, cleansing, invigorating.
In celebration of the rain, I thought I would compile a soundtrack of musicians whose songs about rain, I love.
First out of this rainy day gate compilation, complete with a nod to the weather Gods from me, I offer the Eurythmics singing, Here Comes the Rain Again.
A song that tends to get stuck in my head when I hear reports that it might rain — probably drives my family nuts too — as if summoning the clouds, I wander around the house singing the first stanza and refrain of Nanci Griffith’s, I Wish it Would Rain, over and over again…
Oh, I wish it would rain, it’s gonna wash my face clean
I wanna find some dark cloud to hide in here
Oh, love and a memory sparkle like diamonds
When the diamonds fall they burn like tears
When the diamonds fall they burn like tearsOnce I had a love from the Georgia Pans who only cared for me
I want to find that love of twenty-two here at thirty-three
I’ve got a heart on my right and one on my left, it neither suits my needs
No, the one I love is way out West and he never will need meSo I wish it would rain and gonna wash my face clean…”
Well, no rain mix would be complete without this old classic; Gene Kelly’s, Singing in the Rain. And I am guessing at some point in your life you too, have belted this one out while walking dancing and singing in the rain. Who can resist?
As a kid when it rained, I would sing, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, by BJ Thomas. I can’t resist leaning on the YouTube video that incorporates stills from the classic movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I remember seeing the movie as a kid and wishing I would grow up to look like Katherine Ross…ah well, dreams.
Since it is morning and it is raining I simply can’t resist including one of my all-time favorite artists, Gordon Lightfoot, singing, In the Early Morning Rain.
And to close out this rainy day mix of music I offer a message of love that reigns (and rain that, well…rains) from Pete Townshend, Love Reign on Me.
Years ago one of my oldest friends, Alex, described an outdoor concert she went to in, I think, Canada.
She was camping. Of course, it rained. And she described this extraordinary moment where over the sound system at the break of day they played Love Reign On Me. Her description was so vivid I felt I was there with her.
To this day I imagine my friend, snuggled in a sleeping bag hearing the telltale storm-opener over the speakers, the promise of a new day caught in her chest and her connection to how incredible it was to be alive.
What about you, what’s your favorite rainy day song?
Have you ever noticed that music always sounds so much better on rainy days? Yup. I am born and raised in L.A. so I totally get what you mean about threatening to move to a place with seasons. I lived in Denver for 13 years … miss it everyday (except ice days). Knowing that we need the rain puts a very grateful spin on the pitter-patter on the roof. But like you, anytime we have rain I feel in a better mood.
It’s such a welcome change! And yes, I agree about music. Thanks for sharing!
I guess you get so used to what you have you want something different. I long for the sunshine and flowers that we no longer have.
As for the songs? I listened on the radio today to Gordon Lightfoot, we play The Who ad nauseam cause my son loves them too (but we NEVER tire of them) so I love Reign On Me. In our fifth grade play we had to stand on stage and sing “Raindrops” and I still remember every word!
And “Singin’ in the Rain”, well, you know what an old movie nut I am. So Lisa Carpenter and I both got to (in different states) interview Gene Kelly’s widow and see her one-woman show about his life. So of course I love that song!!
Just thought you’d want to see how your post resonated with me. Rain? Well, I’m a little tired of it here, but I’m SO happy for you and CA!
Well having a lot of the same thing can get a bit tiresome, but most people love it, hence the reason San Diego is one of the best places to live! Good reminder to be content with what the world offers us.
I love “I Can’t Stand The Rain” sung here by Ann Peebles, although I grew up on the Chaka Khan version. This great though. Despite the title, it makes me wish that it would rain. https://youtu.be/g5Rjo_imHDE?list=PLC945EC039CB69121
That was awesome, Betsy! Thanks for sharing it!
What happened to It Never Rains in Southern California?! I’ve loved the rain the past couple of days, too, and, as a former East Coaster, always yearn for real weather once fall comes. Love your song choices here, but my all-time favorite rain song is the Grateful Dead’s Box of Rain.
I cannot believe I didn’t think of Box of Rain! Oh man, makes me want to go add it, for sure my favorite Dead song too. Thanks Lois!
Aw, you took all the good songs. 😉 Truthfully, my list would look a lot like yours. Raindrops keep falling on my head was one of my favorite songs as a young girl. And, like you, I LOVE the sound of the rain and the way it changes the look of everything out my window. As dramatic as the rain storms are here in California with their lightning and thunder, I miss a good California rainstorm where the drama stems from the sounds of the rain and wind.
Oh, and as for another song to add to the list, I’m going with Don’t Rain On My Parade.
Love this idea of celebrating rain. While reading this I realized how much I take rain for granted. In Louisiana, it rains a lot. I tend to think of it as an annoyance and worry how bad the roads will be, etc. I’m going to work at looking it differently and in a more nourishing way.
Thanks!