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15 Songs About Rain

April Showers!

By RynPublished 6 years ago 8 min read
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8/10 College students would rather be here than studying in the library. The other two might be aliens.

Welcome to April, a month filled with study sessions, weed jokes, high school dances, and rain. Or, at least, it should be full of rain. Unfortunately, the weather (at least where I live) seems to disagree. There's been more snow here than rain, and temperatures are dancing from the 70s one day, back down to the 30s the next.

I am decidedly not a fan.

Rather than spend the rest of the month cursing and fretting, I put together a playlist. If I can't have rain, I can at least listen to songs of rain and try to emulate the rainy spring night feeling that way. Listening to hours (and I mean hours) of music, I discovered that many of the best 'rain' songs are fairly old, lending a charming sense of nostalgia. So unplug your headphones, turn up the volume, and de-stress to these 15 songs about rain.

I'm pretty much calling myself out by putting this song first. Written in 1966, Lennon said that 'Rain' is all about people constantly complaining about the weather and never being satisfied. Whoops. I'm more than a bit guilty of wishing for fair weather every day, if only because walks in temperate weather are wonderfully relaxing. In any case, 'Rain' is a song with introspective lyrics and harmonies that could not feel more era-appropriate.

The line to listen for:

"...when it rains and shines

It's just a state of mind"

Any friend of mine knows that I am such a fan of MIKA. Whether he's singing in english or french, his style is upbeat, contagious, and absolutely fun. 'Rain' is a great song for an impromptu dance solo. MIKA sings of hating "days like this," but the energy he sings it with makes it near impossible for you to hate your day after listening.

The line to listen for:

"even if our minds are broken

There's something that I need you to know"

Confession time: I haven't thoroughly listened to Zeppelin since high school. I used to listen to 'In My Time of Dying' on a near daily basis, much to my mother's chagrin. I blasted 'Physical Graffiti' at all hours of the night, and the noise was only rivaled by the screamo coming from my brothers room down the hall. It's a wonder my poor parents ever got sleep. But, I digress. Led Zeppelin is one of the bands, and 'Fool in the Rain' is a fantastic song.

The line to listen for:

"Now I will stand in the rain on the corner

I'll watch the people go shuffling downtown"

Okay, I do have a reason for including this song. It's not particularly prominent, but I remember when this album came out. It was during that Owl City, YA romance novel loving period that so many middle schoolers go through. It was in that small sliver of time between developing my first real crush and becoming the cliche of a disillusioned teen that I found this song. It's simple, lovely, and the kind of love song that makes you smile and nod along.

The line to listen for:

"Maybe I'm alone in this

But I find peace in solitude knowing

If I had but just one kiss this whole room

Would be glowing"

I spent rainy afternoons as a kid painting at the kitchen table while my mother put on a mix of CDs of oldies, including this song. Some days, I would stick my nose up, demanding music that didn't sound so "weird" (read: old), but most of the time that CD became the background music to lovely moments and future memories.

The line to listen for:

"The Weather Man says "Clear today"

He doesn't know you've gone away

And it's raining

Raining in my heart"

I've had this jam on my rainy day playlist for almost as long as I've been creating playlists. It's just so chill and intricate in a way that only a Jimi Hendrix song could be. It's a perfect reminder in this fast paced world to sit back and let everything be for a moment. Also, it's groovy AF.

The line to listen for:

"Rainy day, dream away

Ah let the sun take a holiday"

When people ask me what music calms me down, one of my first thoughts is of Phil Collins, especially in the Tarzan soundtrack. It wasn't until recently that I began to look at his other works, and I was not disappointed. His voice is so soothing and a song about rain? Even better.

The line to listen for:

"I'm just waiting on your sign

'Cause I know, I know... I never meant to cause you no pain"

If there is one thing Bruno Mars has mastered, it's a love song. His whiny, pleading vocals are perfectly suited to a song like 'It Will Rain'. He manages to sound raw and authentic while still delivering the pop flavor he is known for. 'It Will Rain' is a song that can be happy or sad, depending on the mood you're in while listening. Overall, a good tune, and perfect for a rainy day when emotions seem to run a bit wild.

The line to listen for:

"There's no religion that could save me

No matter how long my knees are on the floor"

Coldplay is such a universal band. You can play it in your car without feeling vulnerable or ridiculous if a stranger were to hear it. Oftentimes, I help out at the local elementary school and, when teachers are working together, it's often Coldplay we listen to, simply because any other artist could cause complaints. This song is the perfect blend of upbeat and mellow, just right for a drizzly afternoon.

The line to listen for:

"And time just floated away

We can watch it and stay and we can listen"

It's little wonder that Oh Wonder has amassed the following it has. Between stripped back melodies and barely there harmonies, the songs bring 'chill' to another level. 'The Rain' is no exception. A song that starts off quiet, only to build to a melodic, repetitious chorus, 'The Rain' is perfect for humming/singing along to while taking drives through the rainy countryside.

The line to listen for:

"Watching waves at night I fell into the blue

I guess I lost the light, now I’ve given all my love to you"

Come on. I couldn't create a playlist of 'rain' songs and not include this classic. That's practically blasphemy. This song is the epitome of a power ballad, perfect for slow dances with your s/o, or for a passionate one-person performance within the confines of your kitchen.

The line to listen for:

"Honey, I know, I know, I know times are changing

It's time we all reach out for something new,

that means you too"

Just like 'Blame It On The Rain', the inclusion of this Superchick classic is entirely self-indulging. When this song was released in the mid 2000s, young me thought it was the most metal song ever. Of course, I was in elementary school and my definition of 'metal' was extremely limited. Wearing my polo shirt and questionable hair accessories, I would attempt to sing this song with even a quarter of the gusto Superchick had. Was I successful? No. Did I embarrass myself whenever it came on in the car or supermarket? Undoubtably.

The line to listen for:

"She wants to be found

The only way out is through everything she's running from"

Growing up in a family obsessed with all things synth pop and new wave, I can't remember a time before I knew the Eurythmics. Honestly, I was probably sung 'Sweet Dreams' as a lullaby. There's something so intriguing about Annie Lennox's voice. It's so deep and rich that it's impossible not to be captivated by it. 'Here Comes The Rain' is a great song, definitely worth a listen (if only for the... unique music video).

The line to listen for:

"I want to breathe in the open wind

I want to kiss like lovers do"

I only have one complaint about this artist—his name is so long! I had the chance to see Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness a few summers back, and it was incredible. Even though he was just the opening act, his performance had just as much energy as the later sets. This song is so dreamy and romantic in a way I'm not usually fond of. He manages to find a balance between piano and vocals that is simple, but not boring.

The line to listen for:

"Sometimes when I'm falling in my dreams

I can feel you falling next to me"

This song feels like it should be backing a montage scene from an 80s movies. Another prefect song for driving, 'Happy When It Rains' is the perfect blend of groovy and laid back. Roll the windows down, blast this song, and become the rom-com protagonist you've always wanted to be.

The line to listen for:

"You know I love it when the news is bad

And why it feels so good to feel so sad

I'm only happy when it rains"

This is hardly an exhaustive list of 'rain' themed songs, but these are some of my favorites. Whether you're in the mood to relax or groove out, hopefully one of these caught your... ear. For a link to the playlist, click here.

playlist
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About the Creator

Ryn

Mentally? I’m in a lakeside cottage, reading by the waters edge while snacking on foraged berries.

Physically? I’m in school to become a mortician and spend my days watching the busy city from my cramped apartment with my two cats.

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