B-side "Your Song" Format 7", 12" | Released 1986 Label Def Jam | |
Genre R&B, synthpop, new jack swing Length 5:07 (7" & Album version)
3:14 (Radio edit) | ||
"The Rain" is a 1986 crossover hit single originally performed by R&B singer Oran "Juice" Jones, which he released on and from his debut album Juice.
Contents
The song's lyrics include a long recitation at the end; written by Vincent Bell, who also composed the music, they involve a man confronting his girlfriend regarding her infidelity.
Reception
The single was Jones's biggest hit. It reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart for two weeks, making it the first #1 R&B hit issued by the then newly created Def Jam record label. The single also peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached #4 on the UK Singles Chart.
"The Rain" was nominated for two Grammy Awards, but Jones never had another Hot 100 hit and left the music business after his third album failed to chart. "The Rain" is ranked #63 on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the '80s. During the show, Jones was asked about his one-hit wonder status. His reply was: "Oran 'Juice' Jones, he came, he saw, he conquered, he moved on. You dig?"
Later use
The song produced a novelty, answer record, titled “Thunder & Lightning,” performed by Miss Thang and released in 1986 by Tommy Boy Records. Another response version was done by an artist who went by the name Pamala, released in 1986 by Evejim Records, entitled "Walkin in the Rain, Yes You Saw Me. Yet another answer record was released in 1986 titled "The Drain" recorded by Leot Littlepage on Select Records.
In 2001, the song was covered by NYC band Si*Sé on their self-titled debut album. In 2005, jazz artist Ledisi covered "The Rain" on the album Def Jazz, which featured vocals from Jones.
The song was sampled for "Standing in the Rain" by Action Bronson and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys ft Mark Ronson featured in the 2016 film Suicide Squad.