Rain has been used symbolically throughout literature and poetry for centuries.
So, it should come as no surprise that songs with rain in the lyrics appear in just about every musical genre as well.
The lyrics to songs about rain often have a metaphorical depth to them, the rain is relatable and stirs up memories and emotions.
Water is vital to life, it sustains everything and is associated with growth, change, and rebirth, and even has religious connotations for some.
There are far more songs that mention rain than you might think, but we have rounded up some of the best songs about rain for you.
Here are some of the most memorable songs to help you find the perfect song for a rainy day.
Table of Contents
- 1. Gene Kelly – “Singin’ In The Rain”
- 2. Barbara Streisand – “Rain On My Parade”
- 3. B.J. Thomas – “Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head”
- 4. The Weather Girls – “It’s Raining Men”
- 5. Ann Peebles – “I Can’t Stand The Rain”
- 6. The Eurythmics – “Here Comes The Rain Again”
- 7. Buddy Holly – “Raining In My Heart”
- 8. Cindy Bullen – “Raining On Prom Night”
- 9. Ray Charles – “Come Rain or Come Shine”
- 10. Etta James – “Out Of The Rain”
- 11. The Carpenters – “Rainy Days And Mondays”
- 12. Credence Clearwater Revival – “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?”
- 13. Gary Allan – “Songs About Rain”
- 14. The Script – “Rain”
- 15. Blind Melon – “No Rain”
- 16. Garbage – “I’m Only Happy When It Rains”
- 17. Guns N’ Roses – “November Rain”
- 18. Iron Maiden – “Rainmaker”
- 19. Slayer – “Raining Blood”
- 20. Sherman Robertson – “Make It Rain”
- 21. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers – “Naked In The Rain”
- 22. Travis – “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?”
- 23. Ruth Lorenzo – “Dancing In the Rain”
- 24. Adele – “Set Fire to the Rain”
- 25. Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande – “Rain On Me”
- 26. Madonna – “Rain”
- 27. Pitbull ft. Marc Anthony – “Rain Over Me”
- 28. Led Zeppelin – “The Rain Song”
- 29. Fleetwood Mac – “Dreams”
- 30. Prince – “Purple Rain”
- Songs About Rain – Final Thoughts
- FAQs
- What is a good rainy day song?
- What 90s song has rain in the title?
- What song was about rain in 1970?
1. Gene Kelly – “Singin’ In The Rain”
To get the ball rolling on our songs about rain list we have chosen what is arguably one of the most recognizable songs about the rain.
Unless you have lived under a rock you will be familiar with the wonderfully choreographed, cinematic scenes of a lovestruck Gene Kelly dancing in the rain and splashing in and out of puddles with glee.
2. Barbara Streisand – “Rain On My Parade”
We are sticking in the world of musical theatre for a moment with a poignant song from the 1964 production that was loosely based on the life of comedian and singer Fanny Brice.
Barbara Streisand brought the song to us on both stage and film in 1968.
References to the use of the phrase ‘rain on one’s parade’ can’t be found pre-1969 so Bob Merrill could be responsible for coining the phrase.
3. B.J. Thomas – “Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head”
Old rain songs are some of the best, how could anyone not be familiar with this raindrop song?
Ever-optimistic, this renowned classic was written for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
In the song raindrops are just a tiny metaphorical obstacle to overcome.
The words are humorous, rare for a song with rain lyrics; You don’t get many funny rain songs.
4. The Weather Girls – “It’s Raining Men”
We couldn’t write this article without mention of one of the most popular rain songs.
The Weather Girls’ 1983 anthemic masterpiece still seems to be able to fill any dancefloor almost 4 decades later.
It is probably one of the most famous songs about rain and has what is possibly the world’s easiest-to-remember rain-related song chorus.
“It’s raining men! Hallelujah!
It’s raining men! Amen!”
5. Ann Peebles – “I Can’t Stand The Rain”
Though many people are probably far more familiar with Tina Turner’s rendition of this soulful number, it was originally recorded by Ann Peebles.
It was meant to counter some of the happy rain songs around at the time!
Powerful emotions are evoked as the singer is watching the rainfall.
6. The Eurythmics – “Here Comes The Rain Again”
This Eurythmics masterpiece sets a gloomy scene with its rainy lyric references and minor-keyed musical accompaniment.
The melancholy beginning only emotionally rollercoasters you at the chorus with positive, deep, and sensual lyrics that you were not expecting as the melody toys with adding natural notes that change the key.
7. Buddy Holly – “Raining In My Heart”
Buddy Holly paints a sorrow-filled picture, as he confesses to the listener that regardless of how sunny the weatherman’s prediction is his internal world will be nothing but overcast.
“I tell my blues they mustn’t show
But soon these tears are bound to flow
‘Cause, it’s raining, raining in my heart”.
With clever rainy wordplay throughout “Raining In My Heart” is a relatable heart wrenched.
8. Cindy Bullen – “Raining On Prom Night”
Despite only being played faintly in the background of a scene from a jukebox, Cindy Bullen’s track raining on prom night made it onto the Grease soundtrack.
This song about rainfall adeptly encapsulates how melodramatically a young girl’s world could suddenly fall apart.
9. Ray Charles – “Come Rain or Come Shine”
Originally by the Bill Evans Jazz Trio, the rain in “Come Rain or Come Shine” is figuratively reminiscent of traditional marriage vows.
“For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health…”
“Come rain or come shine”?
10. Etta James – “Out Of The Rain”
A mournful yet hopeful song with rain in it is “Out Of The Rain”.
Sung by one of the greatest singers of all time, it has an almost gospel feel to it.
11. The Carpenters – “Rainy Days And Mondays”
What’s bluer than the rain? The Carpenters added Monday as the icing on the cake of musical misery.
With a rocking sax solo by Bob Messenger and that “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down” line that brings instant lethargy for anyone returning to work post-weekend.
12. Credence Clearwater Revival – “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?”
One of Creedence’s more conscientious songs.
Unlike the majority of rain songs on our list, the song’s lyrics use the rain as a poignant metaphor for bombs in reference to the Vietnam War.
“ I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain
Comin’ down on a sunny day?”
13. Gary Allan – “Songs About Rain”
We couldn’t write an article about songs about rain without mentioning this 2009 country hit!
It’s a rain song within a rain song inception!
The lyrics are about listening to rainy night songs and the sadness you get in your guts when listening to a rainy song.
14. The Script – “Rain”
Next up is a relatively recent (2017) rhythmic rain dance song by the Irish rock group The Script.
The track was an experimental change of direction for the act with lyrics about the rain that once again make the analogy between the bad weather and being lovesick for someone special.
“‘Cause baby when you’re gone all it does is rain”
15. Blind Melon – “No Rain”
There is no shortage of rain-themed songs.
But this bizarrely upbeat yet melancholic song about rainy days sums up the apathy of the mid-90s post-grunge vibe we were once rocking so well.
Remembered by many for nothing more than its accompanying music video featuring a tap-dancing ‘Bee Girl’, who eventually found her ‘bee crowd’.
It had lots of airtime on MTV and propelled the group to a multi-platinum status.
16. Garbage – “I’m Only Happy When It Rains”
Shirly Manson Sings her self-deprecating heart out, in what was a last-minute lead-track decision.
I’m only happy when it rains, very nearly wasn’t the lead-in track for Garbage’s self-titled album release.
Like many songs at the time, its lyrics are tongue-in-cheek, overly angsty, with a self-loathing edge, one of the top 90’s rain-related songs.
17. Guns N’ Roses – “November Rain”
Undoubtedly one of the most epic music videos ever made, November Rain’s plot is based on a short horror story by Del James.
The track itself runs at over 8 minutes with its 9-minute ambitious, cinematic but cringe-worthy, wedding extravaganza unfolding, interlocked with live footage of the legendary group.
Hearsay and humor aside; It was one of the most expensive promos ever shot, and the oldest video to reach a billion views; pre YouTube!
18. Iron Maiden – “Rainmaker”
An archetypal example of song lyrics about rain symbolizing change, from Bruce Dickinson’s strong heavy metal vocals.
“You tell me we can start the rain
You tell me that we all can change
You tell me we can find something to wash the tears away”
19. Slayer – “Raining Blood”
Our rain songs list has something for everyone. Songs with rain in the title come in all forms, perhaps heavier music requires heavier rainfall?
In Slayer’s case, a grey cloudy day is just not a dark enough sentiment for thrash metal.
“Raining blood
From a lacerated sky
Bleeding its horror
Creating my structure
Now I shall reign in blood”
If you can’t appreciate the louder things in life, at the very least you have to admit the wordplay between ‘rain and reign’ is a nice touch.
20. Sherman Robertson – “Make It Rain”
The rain is a recurring blues theme. One that is worth a special mention is “Make it Rain” by Sherman Robertson.
The song builds to an angry-edged peak that gives the lyrical hook line that extra punch
“Not a cloud in the sky
But you still find a way to make it rain”
Ouch!
21. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers – “Naked In The Rain”
“Naked in the Rain” was among the first songs that the band wrote for the album.
The Chili Peppers’s witty lyrics include;
“Naked in the rain with a killer whale
Naked in the rain with black tattoos
Naked in the river skinny dippin’ my way”
One of those modern-day rain dance songs where clothes are apparently optional!?
22. Travis – “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?”
That instantly relatable rhetorical chorus and desolate melody still hit home in modern times.
“Why does it always rain on me?
Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?
Why does it always rain on me?
Even when the sun is shining I can’t avoid the lightning”
Self-explanatory misery!
23. Ruth Lorenzo – “Dancing In the Rain”
There are lots of songs about dancing in the rain but this ballad got Spain to 10th place with 74 points in the 2014 Eurovision grand finale.
Memorable and motivational, the words urged the listener to keep on dancing in the rain, reminding us that no matter how bad things are we have to keep calm and carry on.
One of the most memorable dancing in the rain songs.
24. Adele – “Set Fire to the Rain”
“Set Fire to the Rain” was without a doubt one of superstar Adele’s angrier ballads on her album 21.
Oozing a tonne of emotion, the lyrics gave us a familiarity with the juxtaposition the flames and rain create and the comparison to the contradictions within our relationships.
It was her 3rd consecutive US number one and was supposedly written after the artist struggled to get a wet lighter to work properly!
25. Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande – “Rain On Me”
Gaga and Grande powerfully sing about the harsh reality of heartache and disappointment with the rain making strong imagery throughout in their pop hit “Rain on Me”.
It serves as a textbook example of how songs with rain lyrics make for a perfect analogy.
“It’s coming down on me
Water like misery
It’s coming down on me
I’m ready, rain on me”
26. Madonna – “Rain”
Not one of queen madge’s most well-known tracks but nevertheless Madonna’s “Rain” peaked at number 14 on the Billboard charts after its release in 1993.
It gets a mention here because in contrast to many rainy love songs it has an edge.
“Your love’s coming down like rain”
The lyrics reflect how the person’s love washes away the pain of the past.
27. Pitbull ft. Marc Anthony – “Rain Over Me”
A 2011 dance hit from Latin artists Pitbull and Mark Anthony.
There’s not much depth to this one; topping charts purely because it had the magic ingredients.
“Ay ay ay, Ay ay ay, Let it rain over me
Ay ay ay, Ay ay ay, Let it rain over me”
It’s a super simple hook, sexually suggestive lyrics, and pumping synth sounds gave this rain song its popularity.
28. Led Zeppelin – “The Rain Song”
A beautifully strummed piece featuring a mellotron hot off of rock legend’s eclectic Houses of the Holy album.
The definitive example of one of the many ‘change after the rain songs’ out there.
The lyrics also tip their hat to the famous 1842 poem “The Rainy Day” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
“Upon us all, a little rain must fall”
Which echoes the sentiments of Longfellow’s “Into each life some rain must fall”.
29. Fleetwood Mac – “Dreams”
There are tonnes of songs with rain in the title, but one top rain song that could have gone overlooked is “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac.
A relaxed but well-written tune with strong weather-related imagery.
The iconic chorus line from this late 70’s hit is unforgettable, though not altogether scientifically accurate, we all love to belt it out in a bar, whether it’s alongside Stevie Nicks in the original or to one of many covers.
“Thunder only happens when it’s raining”.
30. Prince – “Purple Rain”
Talking of Stevie Nicks, we have saved what has to be hands down one of the quintessential ‘songs about rain’ of all time.
An epic power ballad by none other than the artist formerly known as Prince, that was originally intended to be a duet with the Fleetwood Mac star.
Probably the best rain song of all time.
Songs About Rain – Final Thoughts
The weather can affect our emotions, the experience is something we are all familiar with.
It plays such an important part in our lives and is so relatable that it is no wonder there are so many good rain songs.
A rainy day is a lot like Marmite. For some, it puts a damper on all outdoor plans and for others (pluviophile’s, or ‘people who love the rain’) it is a welcome invitation.
Do you like the rain? Either way, we hope you’ve enjoyed our list of top songs about the rain.
FAQs
What is a good rainy day song?
The following are all good rainy day songs.
“Be My Mistake” by The 1975
“Slow it Down” by The Lumineers
“Visions of Gideon” by Sufjan Stevens
“You’re Gonna Break My Heart Tonight” by Tom Odell
“Cherry” by Harry Styles
“Alone Again” by Faye Webster
“Standing in the Rain” by The Paper Kites
“Like Real People Do” by Hozier
What 90s song has rain in the title?
“November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses is one 90s song with rain in the title.
What song was about rain in 1970?
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival is a song about the rain from 1970. It was written by John Fogerty and released as a single by the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival.
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