The Thursday Ten: Ten songs about rain

It’s been rainy here in North Georgia, and it got me thinking of songs that involved rain. Here are ten of them.

“Rhythm of the Rain” – The Cascades (1963)

Originally released in 1962, it became an international hit in 1963. The Cascades started as The Silver Strands, a group of sailors stationed in San Diego, crew members aboard the USS Jason, in the late Fifties and called it quits in 1975. They have reunited on the oldies circuit.

“Raindrops” – Dee Clark (1961)

When Little Richard decided to drop out of music and study the Bible in the late Fifties, Dee Clark finished his tour and recorded with his band. This song has one of my favorite sets of changes in it. The verses start out in a sort of major mode, and take a jarring turn into minor. Then back into major. It finishes with some Little Richard-like falsetto singing at the end.

“Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head” – B. J. Thomas (1969)

The love theme from the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, written by Burt Bachrach and Hal David. A talented rock, country and Christian artist, Billy Joe Thomas sang in his church choir then joined a local band, the Triumphs. Their first hit was Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” which he also covered as a solo artist.

“Rain” – The Beatles (1966)

Dee Clark’s former label mates (Vee Jay earned the rights to release their first album in the United States when Capitol refused) recorded this as the flip side to “Paperback Writer.” As John Lennon says at the end of this, it was the first song recorded backward.

“In The Rain” – The Dramatics (1972)

Probably better known for their “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get”, the Dramatics got their start in 1965, eventually joining the Stax/Volt lineup. They’re still going strong despite losing several members to heart attacks over the years.

“Kentucky Rain” – Elvis Presley (1970)

My personal favorite Elvis Presley song. It was written by Eddie Rabbitt and Dick Heard and featured Ronnie Milsap (who, at one Grammy Awards, was referred to repeatedly as “Ronnie Mislap” by Burl Ives) on the piano.

“Walkin’ in the Rain” – The Ronettes (1964)

The Ronettes consisted of Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector), Estelle Bennett, and Nedra Talley, three young ladies from Spanish Harlem in New York. The only girl group to tour with The Beatles, this song was the only one produced by Phil Spector to win a Grammy.

“Walkin’ in the Rain with the One I Love.” – Love Unlimited (1972)

Originally Barry White’s backup singers, this was their first hit, reaching #14 on the Billboard “Hot 100” chart.

“It’s Raining Again” – Supertramp (1982)

From their album Famous Last Words, the last one to feature Roger Hodgson. It debuted at #31 on the Hot 100, the highest debut in 1982, and peaked at #11.

“Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970)

It was tough to choose between this one and the earlier “Who’ll Stop the Rain?” This was recorded for Pendulum, the album immediately after Cosmo’s Factory, arguably their best.

And there’s your Thursday Ten. Hope you enjoyed it…