Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Buckets of Rain

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Released
  
January 1975

Length
  
3:22

Writer(s)
  
Bob Dylan

Genre
  
Folk rock

Label
  
Columbia

Recorded
  
September 19, 1974 at A&R Recording in New York City

"Buckets of Rain" is a song written by Bob Dylan, released in 1975 on his critically acclaimed album Blood on the Tracks.

In the officially released studio recording, "Buckets of Rain" is played in the key of E major. There are only two instruments: acoustic guitar and bass guitar. The guitar is not in standard tuning; rather, it is in "Open E" tuning.

Lyrically, "Buckets of Rain" is relatively simple, with five short verses addressing a lover. Oliver Trager describes the song thus:

Closing an otherwise desperate album with a light reappraisal of commitment, "Buckets of Rain" is a final, Sinatra-like tip of the hat sung with the playfulness of an old Piedmont songster. Though Dylan seems to liken the relationship he describes here with the ferocity of a deluge, he plaintively sings to his love, describing in light, sensual brushstrokes why he still finds her special. (88)

Lyrics are bright yet heartbroken:

Like your smile and your fingertips

Like the way that you move your lips.

I like the cool way you look at me.

Everything about you is bringing me misery.

Covers

"Buckets of Rain" has been covered by many musicians, including:

  • Bette Midler: Songs for the New Depression (1976), in a duet with Bob Dylan.
  • Happy Traum: American Stranger (1978), Bucket of Songs (1983)
  • Wendy Bucklew: The Times They Are A-Changin' (1992), After You (2002)
  • Jimmy LaFave: Road Novel (1998)
  • Steve Howe: Portraits of Bob Dylan (1999)
  • Mary Lee's Corvette: Blood on the Tracks (2002)
  • various artists (performed by Bette Midler): Doin' Dylan 2 (2002)
  • various artists (performed by Wendy Bucklew): May Your Song Always Be Sung: The Songs of Bob Dylan, Volume 3 (2003)
  • Neko Case: Live from Austin, TX (Neko Case album) (2003)
  • Beth Orton and M. Ward: "Confidentially Speaking" live recording @ "Largo" Los Angeles, CA; September 30, 2003.
  • Dave Van Ronk: Dave Van Ronk: ...And the Tin Pan Bended and the Story Ended... (2004)
  • Redbird: Redbird (2005)
  • various artists (performed by Neko Case): Sweetheart 2005: Love Songs (2005)
  • Chris Martin at the Union Chapel, London, November 27, 2006. (Martin then dedicated it to Lily Allen.)
  • Eric Bibb: Diamond Days (2006)
  • John Renbourn: So Early in the Spring (2006)
  • Sarah Softich: Duluth Does Dylan Revisited (2006)
  • Martin Simpson at the Union Chapel, London, November 13, 2007.
  • The Wood Brothers: Loaded (2008)
  • Danny Schmidt: Man of Many Moons (2011)
  • David Gray: During many live concerts.
  • Fistful Of Mercy on the compilation "Chimes of Freedom: Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International" (2012)
  • Tim Armstrong, as a part of his Tim Timebomb and Friends project (2012)

    • References

    Buckets of Rain Wikipedia
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