I Wish It Would Rain

"I Wish It Would Rain" is a 1967 song recorded by the Temptations for the Motown label (under the "Gordy" imprint) and produced by Norman Whitfield.

Overview

Background

The song is one of the most melancholy in the Temptations repertoire, with lead singer David Ruffin delivering, in a pained voice, the story of a heartbroken man who wants to hide his sorrow. His woman has just left him, and he wishes that it would start raining, to hide the tears falling down his face because "a man ain't supposed to cry". Accompanying Ruffin's mourning vocal are the vocals his bandmates Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, and Otis Williams, the subdued instrumentation of The Funk Brothers studio band, and, courtesy of Whitfield, sound effects depicting the "sunshine and blue skies", with the sound of chirping seagulls, and the sound of thunder and rain described in the song. Producer Norman Whitfield devised much of the musical structure of the song, with former Motown artist Barrett Strong composing the song's signature piano intro on a piano with only ten working keys.^[1] Motown staff writer Roger Penzabene provided the song's lyrics.

More so than a number of other Motown songs, there is real sentiment and pain behind the song's words. Lyricist Penzabene had just found out his wife was cheating on him with another man. Unable to deal with the pain and unable to stop loving his wife, Penzabene expressed his pain in the lyrics of this song and its follow-up on the Temptations' release schedule, "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)". The distraught Penzabene committed suicide on New Year's Eve 1967, a week after the single's release.

Release and other artists' versions

Issued with the Melvin Franklin-led "I Truly, Truly Believe" as its B-side, "I Wish It Would Rain" peaked for three weeks in February and March 1968 at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart and at the number-one position on the Billboard R&B singles chart.^[2]^[3]^[4] The single was the focal point of the Temptations' 1968 album The Temptations Wish It Would Rain.

"I Wish It Would Rain" has been covered by a number of artists, including Percy Sledge (1994 on his Blue Night album), Gladys Knight & the Pips (peaking in the US at number 41 pop and 15 R&B).^[5] Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin from Get It Right (1983), Little Caesar, have also recorded versions of the song. Overseas, The Faces, recorded a 1973 cover and was a hit in the United Kingdom. Gaye's version, produced under a funk sound and featuring just him in vocals, was the B-side to his number-one hit "Let's Get It On".

Australian singer song-writer, Jon Stevens recorded and released a version of the song in 1994, with money raised benefitting drought-stricken farmers.^[6] The song peaked at number 49 in New Zealand.

Personnel

Lead vocals by David Ruffin
Background vocals by Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, and Otis Williams
Written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, and Roger Penzabene
Produced by Norman Whitfield
Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers.

Notes

↑ Bowman, Rob (2006). Liner Notes for Get Ready: Definitive Performances. Reelin' in the Years Productions/Universal Music.
↑ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Company. 80 (7): 56. 1968. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
↑ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Company. 80 (8): 58. 1968. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
↑ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Company. 80 (9): 54. 1968. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 330.
↑ "Jon Stevens Band". Saxton. Retrieved 9 August 2016.

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Preceded by "Chain of Fools" by Aretha Franklin	Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues number-one single (The Temptations version) February 17 - March 2, 1968	Succeeded by "We're a Winner" by The Impressions

The Temptations

Otis Williams Ron Tyson Terry Weeks Larry Braggs Willie Green Melvin Franklin Eddie Kendricks Paul Williams Elbridge Bryant David Ruffin Dennis Edwards Ricky Owens Richard Street Damon Harris Glenn Leonard Louis Price Ali-Ollie Woodson Theo Peoples Harry McGilberry Barrington "Bo" Henderson Ray Davis G. C. Cameron Joe Herndon Bruce Williamson

Studio albums	Meet the Temptations The Temptations Sing Smokey The Temptin' Temptations Gettin' Ready The Temptations with a Lot o' Soul The Temptations Wish It Would Rain Cloud Nine Puzzle People Psychedelic Shack Sky's the Limit Solid Rock All Directions Masterpiece 1990 A Song for You House Party Wings of Love The Temptations Do the Temptations Bare Back Hear to Tempt You Power The Temptations Reunion Surface Thrills Back to Basics Truly for You Touch Me To Be Continued... Together Again Special Milestone Phoenix Rising Ear-Resistible Awesome Legacy Still Here

Cover albums	The Temptations in a Mellow Mood For Lovers Only Reflections Back to Front

Live albums	Temptations Live! Live at the Copa Live at London's Talk of the Town The Temptations in Japan

Other albums	Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations TCB The Temptations Show Together On Broadway The Temptations Christmas Card Give Love at Christmas Lost and Found: You've Got to Earn It (1962–1968)

Compilations	Greatest Hits Greatest Hits II Anthology Emperors of Soul The Ultimate Collection My Girl: The Very Best of the Temptations Psychedelic Soul

Singles (US/UK Top 10)	"My Girl" "Get Ready" "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" "(I Know) I'm Losing You" "All I Need" "You're My Everything" "I Wish It Would Rain" "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" "Cloud Nine" "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" "Run Away Child, Running Wild" "I Can't Get Next to You" "Psychedelic Shack" "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" "Masterpiece" "Let Your Hair Down" "Happy People" "Shakey Ground" "Treat Her Like a Lady" "The Motown Song" "My Girl" (reissue)

Related	The Temptations (miniseries) Discography The Supremes The Undisputed Truth Norman Whitfield Barrett Strong Sly Stone George Clinton

Book Category

The Temptations singles discography

1960s	"Oh Mother of Mine" (1961) "Check Yourself" (1961) "(You're My) Dream Come True" (1962) "Mind Over Matter (I'm Gonna Make You Mine)" (1962) "Paradise" (1962) "I Want a Love I Can See" (1963) "Farewell My Love" (1963) "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (1964) "I'll Be in Trouble" (1964) / "The Girl's Alright with Me" (1964) "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" (1964) "My Girl" (1964) "It's Growing" (1965) "Since I Lost My Baby" (1965) / "You've Got to Earn It" (1965) "My Baby" (1965) / "Don't Look Back" (1965) "Get Ready" (1966) "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (1966) "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" (1966) "(I Know) I'm Losing You" (1966) "All I Need" (1967) "You're My Everything" (1967) / "I've Been Good To You" (1967) "(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need" (1967) "I Wish It Would Rain" (1968) / "I Truly, Truly Believe" (1968) "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" (1968) "Please Return Your Love to Me" (1968) "Cloud Nine" (1968) "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1968) / "Silent Night" (1968) "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (1969) "Runaway Child, Running Wild" (1969) "I'll Try Something New" (1969) "Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down" (1969) "I Second That Emotion" (1969) "I Can't Get Next to You" (1969) "The Weight" (1969)

1970s	"Psychedelic Shack" (1970) "Why (Must We Fall in Love)" (1970) "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" (1970) "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)" (1970) / "Hum Along and Dance" (1970) "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" (1971) "It's Summer" (1971) "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" (1971) "Take a Look Around" (1972) "Mother Nature" (1972) / "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On" (1972) "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (1972) "Masterpiece" (1973) "Plastic Man" (1973) "Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)" (1973) "Law of the Land" (1973) "Let Your Hair Down" (1973) "Heavenly" (1974) "You've Got My Soul on Fire" (1974) "Happy People" (1974) "Shakey Ground" (1975) "Glasshouse" (1975) "Keep Holdin' On" (1976) "Up the Creek (Without a Paddle)" (1976) "Who are You (and What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life)" (1976) "In a Lifetime" (1977) "Think for Yourself" (1977) "Bare Back" (1978) "Ever Ready Love" (1978)

1980s	"Power" (1980) "Struck By Lightning Twice" (1980) "Aiming At Your Heart" (1981) "Oh What A Night" (1981) "Standing On The Top - Pt. 1" (1982) "More On The Inside" (1982) "Money's Hard To Get" (1982) "Love On My Mind Tonight" (1983) "Surface Thrills" (1983) "Miss Busy Body (Get Your Body Busy)" (1983) "Sail Away" (1984) "Treat Her Like a Lady" (1984) "My Love Is True (Truly For You)" (1985) "How Can You Say That It's Over" (1985) "Do You Really Love Your Baby" (1985) "Deeper Than Love" (1985) "Touch Me" (1986) "I'm Fascinated" (1986) "A Fine Mess" (1986) "My Girl" (re-issue) (1986) "Lady Soul" (1986) "To Be Continued..." (1986) "Someone" (1987) "I Wonder Who She's Seeing Now" (1987) "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (re-issue) (1987) "Look What You Started" (1987) "Do You Wanna Go With Me" (1988) "All I Want From You" (1989) "Special" (1989) "Loveline" (1989)

1990s	"Soul to Soul" (1990) "One Step At A Time (Remix)" (1990) "The Motown Song" (1991) "The Jones" (1991) "My Girl" (re-issue) (1992) "Hoops of Fire" (1992) "Error of Our Ways" (1994) "Silent Night" (1995) "Stay" (1998) "This is My Promise" (1998) "How Could He Hurt You" (1999)

2000s	"I'm Here" (2000)

Gladys Knight & the Pips

Gladys Knight Merald "Bubba" Knight William Guest Edward Patten Brenda Knight Eleanor Guest Langston George Chris Morante

Studio albums	Everybody Needs Love Neither One of Us Imagination I Feel a Song 2nd Anniversary The One and Only

Soundtrack albums	Claudine

Compilation albums	The Ultimate Collection

Singles	"Every Beat of My Heart" "Giving Up" "Take Me in Your Arms and Love Me" "Everybody Needs Love" "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" "The End of Our Road" "It Should Have Been Me" "I Wish It Would Rain" "The Nitty Gritty" "If I Were Your Woman" "Help Me Make It Through the Night" "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" "The Look of Love" "Midnight Train to Georgia" "I've Got to Use My Imagination" "Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" "I Feel a Song (In My Heart)" "The Way We Were/Try to Remember" "Save the Overtime (For Me)" "Hero" "Love Overboard" "Baby, Don't Change Your Mind"

Related topics	Discography Aaliyah Barry Hankerson

Book

Jon Stevens

Discography

Studio albums	Jezebel (1980) Jon Stevens (1982) Are U Satisfied (1993) Circle (1995) Ain't No Life For The Faint Hearted (2004) The Works (2005) Changing Times (2011) Testify! (2011) Woman (2015)

Soundtrack albums	Jesus Christ Superstar (Original Australian Cast Recording) (1992)

Singles	"Jezebel" "Montego Bay" "Don't Let Love Go" (with Sharon O'Neill) "Loving You (Is a Way of Life)" "Everything's Alright" (with John Farnham & Kate Ceberano) "Superstar" "Going Down" "I Wish It Would Rain" "Two Tribes" "(I Wanna) Testify"

Featured singles	"Last One Standing For You" (with The Black Sorrows) "Touch" (with Silver Sneakerz) "Spirit of the Anzacs" (with Lee Kernaghan, Guy Sebastian, Sheppard, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll and Megan Washington)

Related articles	Noiseworks INXS "I Get Up" The Dead Daisies Jesus Christ Superstar Frankie Stevens

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