About the song
Let’s delve into the soulful melancholy of “I Wish It Would Rain” by The Temptations, a song that resonates deeply with listeners since its release in 1967. Written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, and Roger Penzabene, this poignant ballad was featured on The Temptations’ album *The Temptations Wish It Would Rain*.
The song explores themes of heartbreak and longing, encapsulated in its emotive lyrics and soul-stirring melody. It showcases The Temptations’ exceptional vocal harmonies, with David Ruffin delivering a heartfelt lead performance that conveys raw emotion and vulnerability.
“I Wish It Would Rain” reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, becoming one of The Temptations’ significant hits. It also achieved success on the Billboard R&B Singles chart, highlighting its appeal to soul music enthusiasts. Internationally, the song garnered attention and solidified The Temptations’ reputation as one of Motown’s premier acts.
The track’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless quality and universal themes of loss and yearning. Over the years, “I Wish It Would Rain” has been covered by various artists, further cementing its place in music history. Its inclusion in films, television shows, and commercials continues to introduce new generations to its emotive power and musical brilliance.
Whether you’re revisiting this soulful gem or discovering it for the first time, “I Wish It Would Rain” by The Temptations remains a poignant reminder of the group’s ability to evoke deep emotions through their music. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Motown and its impact on popular music worldwide.
Video
Lyrics
Hmm hmm
Sunshine, blue skies, please go away
A girl has found another and gone away
With her went my future, my life is filled with gloom
So day after day I stay locked up in my room
I know to you, it might sound strange
But I wish it would rain, oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
‘Cause so badly I wanna go outside (such a lovely day)
But everyone knows that a man ain’t supposed to cry
Listen, I gotta cry ’cause crying eases the pain, oh yeah
People this hurt I feel inside
Words could never explain,
I just wish it would rain, oh let it rain, rain, rain, rain, ooo baby
Let it rain, oh yeah, let it rain
Day in day out my tear-stained face
Pressed against the window pane
My eyes search the skies desperately for rain
‘Cause rain drops will hide my tear drops
And no one will ever know that I’m crying
Crying when I go outside
To the world outside my tears
I refuse to explain, ooo I wish it would rain, ooh, baby
Let it rain, let it rain
I need rain to disguise the tears in my eyes
Oh, let it rain
Oh yeah, yeah, listen
I’m a man and I got my pride
‘Til it rains I’m gonna stay inside, let it rain