Complaining about the weather has always been a favorite way for folks to pass the time. But when it comes to storms, and especially rain, songwriters have had a field day. There's just something about the feelings stirred up by gray skies pouring water over the Earth that speaks to aching places in the heart.
In that spirit, my colleagues and I thought it would be fun to put a brief list of our favorite rain songs together, with the hope that you would join in and list your own (and a link, if available, to the YouTube version).
Concord Editor Emily Henry started things off with "I Can't Stand The Rain," a great Lowell George tune, as covered by Seal. George put it on his solo album, but Ann Peebles made it a huge hit. Seal takes it home.
Associate Regional Editor David Mills likes Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Who'll Stop the Rain." It has that threatening, stormy atmosphere that gives it a great rainy feel.
I have two.
One is my favorite weather song of all time, because it reminds me of being a kid, and it shaped my little head in ways that made sure it would never be the same. It's "Rain," by the Beatles. "When it rains and shines/it's just a state of mind." Those were strange, dangerous lyrics for a pop song in 1966. A portent of things to come.
My second song is by the Rolling Stones, and it's here because this is one of the most dangeous, ominous songs ever. Keith Richards wrote "Gimme Shelter" one stormy night when he was fuming over the fact that his girlfriend at the time was making a racy movie with Mick Jagger, and he knew Mick very well. The intro to this song has to be one of the most haunting pieces of music ever composed.
OK, and one just because to leave it out would be a crime. It's "Stormy Weather," by Billie Holiday. You can listen to this song on the sunniest day of the year, and it would still feel like it was raining.
OK, that's our playlist. Now tell us yours. And if you can, include YouTube links.
