Songs for a Rainy Day

A great rainy day song has to set the right mood. Here are four to get your playlist started:

I Can't Stand The Rain - Ann Peebles (1973): The epitome of Memphis soul, this song was originally released on Hi Records, the Memphis label that gave us other great artists such as the inimitable Al Green. With Memphis soul it's all about the horns and this song features the same great Memphis Horns (Wayne Jackson on trumpet and Andrew Love on tenor sax) that gave Green's early records their distinctive sound. This duo is most famous for their work at Stax Records performing behind Isaac Hayes (who later played the voice of Chef on the popular Comedy Central show South Park), Sam and Dave, and Otis Redding. The other thing you'll hear in common with Al Green is the distinctive Hi Rhythm Section consisting of brothers Mabon "Teenie" Hodges (guitar), Leroy Hodges (bass), and Charles Hodges (organ) along with drummer Howard Grimes. These extraordinary musicians and artists combined to create what can best be described as musical alchemy, an unforgettable sound that transcends the world of ordinary popular music. Peeble's I Can't Stand The Rain sets the perfect mood for a rainy day and was one of John Lennon's favorite recordings.

A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall - Bob Dylan (1963): Dylan's masterpiece first appeared on his second album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, in the Spring of 1963. According to the liner notes Dylan was inspired to write Hard Rain in response to the Cuban missile crisis although it's likely this claim was a bit of well crafted hyperbole as Dylan was known to have performed the song before the events of October 22nd, 1962. Nevertheless, this song is widely regarded as one of the most complex and compelling protest songs ever written and has withstood the test of time. While it is certainly a reflection of it's era it's powerful imagery is relevant even today. In the last verse, of the line "the pellets of poison are flooding the waters" Dylan was quoted as saying, "that means all the lies that people get told on their radios and in their newspapers". This excellent rendition was recorded live at NYC'c Town Hall in April of 1963.

Rainy Day Woman - Waylon Jennings (1974): If Willie Nelson is the soul of Outlaw Country then Jennings was surely it's heart. Jennings led a star crossed life. He helped lay the foundation of American Rock and Roll as a fill in bassist for Buddy Holly and but for a simple twist of fate would have accompanied him on the charter flight that carried Holly to his doom. While Jennings is best remembered as a founder of Outlaw Music there is nothing Outlaw about Rainy Day Woman, it's all California Country. The Bakersfield sound is unmistakable in Ralph Moody's opening pedal steel riff and if you close your eyes you'll swear you're sitting in the neon glow of some backwoods beer joint with a pool cue in your hand. Jennings always attracted Nashville's finest pickers and many of them are at their best here. Rainy Day Woman is all sawdust and heartache, Jennings's hardscrabble baritone and Moody's mournful steel blend together perfectly to rip your heart out.

Have You Ever Seen The Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970): Formed by brother's John (lead vocals and guitar) and Tom (rhythm guitar) Fogerty and two Portolla Junior High pals, Stu Cook (bass) and Doug Clifford (drums) in El Cerrito, California on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, Creedence Clearwater Revival recorded some of the most enduring American music ever created. Considering Creedence's long list of Top 40 hits and immense popularity even today, it's hard to believe that their recording career lasted only 4 years. During that span (1968 -1972) they released 7 albums, 6 of those in the first 3 years.  Have You Ever Seen The Rain was one of their last songs to chart and according to John Fogerty was written about strife within the band that would eventually lead to Tom Fogerty's departure before the band recorded their final album. Released at the height of the Vietnam War and only 6 months following the massacre of peaceful war demonstrators at Kent State University, the melancholy feel of Have You Ever Seen The Rain was a perfect fit for it's time. 

Read more from Brian at ... And The Horse They Rode In On.