The third and fourth measures are the C chord in the so-called 6Ĥ (second) inversion. The refrain contains only I and IV chords, and is twelve measures long (the repetition of a six-measure pattern). Each verse is based on the G, C and D chords (I, IV, and V). The verses are nine measures long, and the song is in 4Ĥ time. Set in the key of G major (the final mix pitches it about a quarter of a semitone below this, while the backing track was taped in G sharp), the song begins with what Pollack calls 'a ra-ta-tat half-measure's fanfare of solo snare drums', followed by a guitar intro of the first chord. Lennon's singing also draws on the flat timbre and ornamentation, in the form of gamaka, of Hindustani vocal music. Ethnomusicologist David Reck recognises the song as 'a more subtle absorption of Orientalism' in comparison with ' Tomorrow Never Knows' and ' Love You To', but one nevertheless possessing an Indian sound through Harrison's distorted lead guitar, Ringo Starr's drumming, and the use of reverse tape effects. There's no greater feeling than the rain dripping down your back.' Composition Īccording to musicologist Alan Pollack, although the Beatles recording has 'no sitars or other ethnic 'world music' instruments', 'Rain' strongly evokes the style of Indian classical music through its 'droning harmony and the, at times florid tune'. In what Beatles biographer Steve Turner deems an oversimplification that ignores the philosophical aspect, McCartney recalled: 'Songs have traditionally treated rain as a bad thing and what we got on to was that it's no bad thing. According to Paul McCartney's recollection in his 1997 authorised biography Many Years from Now, the pair collaborated on it, and the song's authorship was '70–30 to John'. In an early-1970s article on the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership, 'Rain' was one of the songs Lennon said he wrote alone. Author Nicholas Schaffner recognises it as the first Beatles song to portray the material world as an illusion, a theme Lennon and George Harrison explored at length during the band's psychedelic period.

Lennon had sung of the importance of mind over matter in the Beatles' 1963 song ' There's a Place' with 'Rain', he furthered this idea through the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. Another interpretation is that the song's 'rain' and 'sun' are phenomena experienced during a benign LSD trip. Three promotional films were created for the song, and they are considered among the early precursors of music videos.Ĭommenting on 'Rain', Lennon said it addressed 'People moaning because. Ringo Starr considers 'Rain' his best recorded drum performance. Its release marked the first time that reversed sounds appeared in a pop song, although the Beatles used the same technique on the Revolver track ' Tomorrow Never Knows', recorded days earlier. The song's recording contains a slowed-down rhythm track, a droning bass line and backwards vocals. He described its meaning as 'about people moaning about the weather all the time'. 'Rain' was written by John Lennon and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. Both songs were recorded during the sessions for Revolver, although neither appear on that album.

Used by permission.' Rain' is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, released on as the B-side of their ' Paperback Writer' single. These videos, along with other Beatles videos at the time, sparked George Harrison to say during the Beatles Anthology, 'So I suppose, in a way, we invented MTV.' Three promotional films were made for the song 'Rain'. Written by John Lennon, 'Rain' has been called the Beatles' finest B-side, noted for its slowed-down rhythm track and backwards vocals, both of which were a hint of things to come on Revolver, released two months later. Both songs were recorded during the sessions for the album Revolver though neither appears on that album. 'Rain' is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, credited to Lennon-McCartney and first released in June 1966 as the B-side of the 'Paperback Writer' single. I can show you that when it starts to rain,Ĭan you hear me that when it rains and shines, When the sun shines, when the sun shines. When the sun shines they slip into the shade, If the rain comes they run and hide their heads.

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