Who wrote Have You Ever Seen The Rain?

"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"
Who wrote Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
Single by Creedence Clearwater Revival
from the album Pendulum
B-side"Hey Tonight"
ReleasedJanuary 1971
Recorded1970
GenreCountry rock[1]
Length2:39
LabelFantasy
Songwriter(s)John Fogerty
Producer(s)John Fogerty
Creedence Clearwater Revival singles chronology
"Lookin' Out My Back Door"
(1970)
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"
(1971)
"Sweet Hitch-Hiker"
(1971)
Music video
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain" (lyric video) on YouTube
Music video
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain" on YouTube

"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" is a song written by John Fogerty and released as a single in 1971 from the album Pendulum (1970) by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. The song charted highest in Canada, reaching number 1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart in March 1971.[2] In the U.S., in the same year it peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (where it was listed as "Have You Ever Seen the Rain / Hey Tonight", together with the B-side).[3] On Cash Box pop chart, it peaked at number 3. In the UK, it reached number 36. It was the group's eighth gold-selling single.[4]

John Fogerty released a live version of the song on his The Long Road Home - In Concert DVD which was recorded at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on September 15, 2005. A music video was released for the band's 50th anniversary on December 11, 2018.

Meaning[edit]

In his review for AllMusic, Mark Deming suggests that the song is about the idealism of the 1960s and about how it faded in the wake of events such as the Altamont Free Concert and the Kent State shootings, and that Fogerty is saying that the same issues of the 1960s still existed in the 1970s but that people were no longer fighting for them.[5] However, Fogerty himself has said in interviews and prior to playing the song in concert that it is about rising tension within CCR and the imminent departure of his brother Tom from the band. In an interview, Fogerty stated that the song was written about the fact that they were on the top of the charts, and had surpassed all of their wildest expectations of fame and fortune. They were rich and famous, but somehow all of the members of the band at the time were depressed and unhappy; thus the line "Have you ever seen the rain, coming down on a sunny day?". The band split up in October the following year after the release of the album Mardi Gras.[6]

In a literal sense, the song describes a sunshower, such as in the lyric "It'll rain a sunny day" and the chorus, "Have you ever seen the rain, comin' down on a sunny day?" These events are particularly common in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama, but less common in other parts of the United States, due to localized atmospheric wind shear effects. In Southern regional dialect, there is even a term for it: "the devil beating his wife".[7]

Music video[edit]

For the band's 50th anniversary in 2018, a music video was released for "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" The video stars then up-and-coming actors including Jack Quaid, Sasha Frolova, and Erin Moriarty. The video was shot in Montana by director Laurence Jacobs who described it as "a coming-of-age story" and "something distinctly real that encapsulated identity. Not teenage years, but specifically your early 20s when you're still growing and trying to become someone." The story, cowritten by Jacobs and Luke Klompien, is of "three best friends hanging in Montana until one of them moves away", and includes scenes of the cast "skipping rocks into the river", "driving through the countryside in a vintage red Chevy pickup truck watching the sunset and bonding by the fire."[8][9] A behind-the-scenes featurette about the making of the video was released June 26, 2019, featuring interviews with the cast and director, and also shows dialogue between the actors.[10]

Charts[edit]

Certifications and sales[edit]

The song was featured in movies and television shows Cold Case, Nurse Jackie, Doogie Kameāloha, M.D., Stargate: SG-1, Evan Almighty and The Longest Yard, and The Art of Racing in the Rain.

Cover versions[edit]

Pop rock singer Bonnie Tyler covered the song on her 1983 album Faster Than the Speed of Night.

Chart (1983) Rank Ref.
Ireland Irish Singles Chart 13 [35]
UK Singles Chart records and statistics 47 [36]
France Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique 25 [37]
Germany GfK Entertainment charts 63 [38]

Funk rock band Spin Doctors covered the song for the soundtrack of the 1993 film Philadelphia.

Rod Stewart included the song on his 2006 covers album Still the Same... Great Rock Classics of Our Time.

Chart (2006) Rank Ref.
US Adult Contemporary Billboard 6 [39]

Spanish-language versions[edit]

  • Laureano Brizuela – "Cerca de ti"
  • Eduardo Palomo – "¿Quien va a perder?"
  • Ana Gabriel – "Ven a ver Llover"
  • Juan Gabriel – "Have You Ever Seen the Rain (Gracias al Sol)"
  • Karina – "Quiero saber"

Portuguese-language versions[edit]

  • The Fevers – Não Devo Mais Ficar[40]
  • Gilberto e Gilmar – Não Devo Mais Ficar[41]
  • VOLNEI da COSTA & TCHÊ BOYS – Eu não Sei[42]
  • KLB – Não Devo Mais Ficar
  • Paulo Ricardo – Eu Não Devo Mais Ficar[43]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Creedence Clearwater Revival 50th Anniversary". 26 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Item: 2736 – Library and Archives Canada". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
    "Item: 2795 – Library and Archives Canada". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  3. ^ "Creedence Clearwater Revival – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
  4. ^ Chronicle, Vol. 1 Liner notes
  5. ^ Deming, Mark. "Have You Ever Seen the Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival | Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
  6. ^ Scott, Jason (July 14, 2020). "Behind the Song: Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"". American Songwriter. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  7. ^ Mahan, Simon (September 2, 2016). "Did a rock band explain why wind power will work in the south, 45 years ago?". Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  8. ^ Lewry, Fraser (December 11, 2018). "Creedence Clearwater Revival unveil new "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" video". Louder Sound. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  9. ^ Sands, Nicole (December 11, 2018). "Jack Quaid Stars in Creedence Clearwater Revival's Video for "Have You Ever Seen the Rain"". People. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Sexton, Paul (June 26, 2019). "Watch Making-of Video for Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain"". uDiscoverMusic. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  11. ^ "Argentina's Best Sellers" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 32, no. 47. May 15, 1971. p. 45. Retrieved July 16, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Hits of the World". Billboard. April 17, 1971. p. 53. Retrieved July 16, 2021 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ "Creedence Clear Water". Hung medien. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  14. ^ "Ultra Top – Charts". Ultratop. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  15. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. May 1, 1971. p. 53. Retrieved July 16, 2021 – via Google Books.
  16. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  17. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. April 7, 1971. p. 57. Retrieved July 16, 2021 – via Google Books.
  18. ^ "flavour of new zealand – search listener". www.flavourofnz.co.nz.
  19. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. May 8, 1971. p. 69. Retrieved July 16, 2021 – via Google Books.
  20. ^ "SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Songs H-I". South Africa's Rock Lists. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  21. ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  22. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 3/13/71". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  23. ^ "Creedence Clearwater Revival Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  24. ^ "Creedence Clearwater Revival Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  25. ^ "Creedence Clearwater Revival Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  26. ^ "Forum – 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  27. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  28. ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1971". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  29. ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1971". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  30. ^ "Danish single certifications – Creedence Clearwater Revival – Have You Ever Seen the Rain". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  31. ^ "Italian single certifications – Creedence Clearwater Revival – Have You Ever Seen the Rain" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved April 17, 2020. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  32. ^ Feldman, Peter (March 18, 1972). "From The Music Capitols of the World – Johannesburg". Cash Box. p. 54. Retrieved April 19, 2020 – via Google books.
  33. ^ "British single certifications – Creedence Clearwater Revival – Have You Ever Seen the Rain". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  34. ^ "American single certifications – Creedence Clearwater Revival – Have You Ever Seen the Rain". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  35. ^ "IRMA". Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  36. ^ "Official Charts". Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  37. ^ "SNEP". Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  38. ^ "Offizielle Deutsch Charts". Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  39. ^ "Billboard Charts". Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  40. ^ "The Fevers – Não Devo Mais Ficar (Have You Ever Seen the Rain)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  41. ^ "Gilberto e Gilmar – Não Devo Mais Ficar (Have You Ever Seen the Rain)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  42. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 23 April 2021.[dead YouTube link]
  43. ^ "Paulo Ricardo "Eu Não Devo Mais Ficar"". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 23 April 2021.

Who first sang Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" is a song written by John Fogerty and released as a single in 1971 from the album Pendulum (1970) by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Have You Ever Seen the Rain Bonnie Tyler meaning?

“Have You Ever Seen The Rain” was about his brother, Tom, parting from their band. Also, Fogerty explained that their band had experienced the luxury of success, but they still felt unhappy and depressed.

Who covered Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

Versions.

What is Creedence Clearwater Revival's biggest hit?

# 1 – Fortunate Son We close out our top 10 Creedence Clearwater Revival Songs list with the legendary track Fortunate Son.