Why It Matters

By

James Stafford

·

Deep Cuts: The Rainy Day Playlist

Rain is rare in my part of the world.  It rains regularly only three months out of the year — and that’s in a good year. I miss the torrential summer afternoon downpours of the Southeast. But with my playlist in my pocket I can create my own mobile weather system — high pressure coming down…

Rain is rare in my part of the world.  It rains regularly only three months out of the year — and that’s in a good year. I miss the torrential summer afternoon downpours of the Southeast.

But with my playlist in my pocket I can create my own mobile weather system — high pressure coming down from the belt loops mixing with the binary data in this area and pushing that aural precipitation northward to the ear buds. I have a musical La Nina in my pants.

So grab your boots and follow me to the puddles. Tut tut, it looks like rain.

I. A Gentle Drizzle Falls

 

 

“Rainbirds,” Tom Waits. From the essential Swordfishtrombones, the first Tom Waits album that really mattered.

“Come Rain Or Come Shine,” Billie Holiday. A voice that never gets old.

“Ocean Rain,” Echo & The Bunnymen. What always appealed to me about Echo & the Bunnymen was the melodrama in their songs.

II. The Rain Builds

 

“One Rainy Wish,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience. From Axis: Bold As Love, one of my desert island discs.  “You stole my heart away,” indeed.

“So. Central Rain,” R.E.M. One of the greatest songs from one of the greatest bands to ever hit the big time.

“Another Rainy Night,” Queensryche.  eah, I admit it —  I like Queensryche.  I’m not a huge fan, but Operation: Mindcrime and Empire are great albums.

III. The Heavens Open

 

“Rain,” The Cult. Love is a must-have album. The rest of The Cult’s discography? Meh. Electric was pretty cool.

“Only Happy When It Rains,” Garbage. Shirley Manson is so in love with me that she acts like she doesn’t even know who I am. It’s okay, Shirley. I know it’s hard.

The Clouds Part, But You’re Still Alone

 

“Sunshine Rain,” King’s X. This band doesn’t get near enough love.

“Ain’t No Sunshine,” Bill Withers. Look for the Still Bill documentary — good stuff.

IV. To Hell With It All, I Just Want To Feel Good

“No Rain,” Blind Melon. I know it’s played out, but it still makes me smile.

 So what’s on your rainy day playlist? I’m listening.

***

SUPER DELUXE MACK DADDY BONUS CUT: This track was huge back in 1986, at least in Savannah, Georgia. We couldn’t keep this one in stock. Oh, it’s bad — laughably bad — but what dragged people in was Juice’s dialogue starting at 2:23. Don’t touch that coat!

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Responses to “Deep Cuts: The Rainy Day Playlist”

  1. On Diffuser: This Is Your Alternative Rainy Day Playlist | Why It Matters

    […] I was so thrilled to see rain that I wrote a rainy day playlist for Diffuser. Go give it a listen, and if you want even more rain here’s a Why It Matters rainy day playlist, too: https://wimwords.com/2012/03/21/deep-cuts-the-rainy-day-playlist/ […]

    Like

  2. James Stafford

    That is an outstanding addition to the list. Well played, my billiard ball ingesting friend.

    Like

  3. theraggedwagon

    Rain Fall Down is a surprisingly good offering from the Rolling Stones – also a good tune to make love to as well.

    Like

  4. milokilledpunk

    AAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!

    Like

  5. James Stafford

    Nope. No Creedence “Who’ll Stop The Rain” or Eurythmics “Here Comes the Rain Again” or The Weather Girls “It’s Raining Men,” either. No Peter Gabriel “Red Rain” or Bob Dylan “Rainy Day Women” or Grateful Dead “Box of Rain.” No “Singin’ In the Rain,” “Let It Rain,” or “Rain, Rain Go Away.”

    My goodness. Are there any songs that aren’t about rain?

    Like

  6. James Stafford

    “Love Reign O’er Me” and Led Zeppelin’s “The Rain Song” can pretty much end up on any list I put together. Those are two for my desert island disc.

    Like

  7. James Stafford

    Both are great choices. So many rainy songs, so little time.

    Like

  8. James Stafford

    My great pleasure. I’m glad you picked up on the track listing. The art of the mix tape isn’t dead, after all 🙂

    Like

  9. James Stafford

    Nothing but love for The Cure, my friend. P.S. Everybody knows you’re a pussycat.

    Like

  10. Violet

    What, no Eddie Rabbitt, “I Love A Rainy Night” or Ronnie Milsap’s “Smoky Mountain Rain” or Willie Nelson’s “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain?” p.s. I am a sometime hayseed.

    Like

  11. Kelly Mahan Jaramillo

    Well, it’s certainly no Deep Cut, but The Who,” Love, Reign o’er me” is always a fine choice when a tree whipping, thunderous, heartbroken agony storm is needed.

    Like

  12. laura b.

    This is one of my favorite playlists…great choices.

    I am going to name a solid oldie as one of my favorites – It Never Rains in California – Albert Hammond. I also can’t help nostalgically loving Led Zepplin’s Fool in the Rain. “Well, there’s a light in your eye that keeps shinin’….”

    Like

  13. Valerie

    Thank you for an welcomed “ease” into the morning. Read & listened to the tracks as I roused from the evil blaring “beep, beep, beep” of the clock alarm that proceeded. (Sounds like a wimpy garbage truck permanently backing up.) Perfect way to slowly arise, without anger or panic. Although I knew most of the tracks already, it was lovely hearing them consecutively. :-). The Tom Waits track was perfect as the opener to my day. Thanks!

    Like

  14. milokilledpunk

    Play The Cure’s “The Same Deep Waters as You” right now. Thunder and rain supplied, no need to wait. For an actual rainy day, put on that whole album, Disintegration, on repeat.

    Don’t scrunch your eyes up at me, Staff… I’m oldschool punk, but I do have a weather-beaten soul.

    Like

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