Rainy-day play

“Rain, rain, go away … Come again some other day.”

~ Old nursery rhyme

Greetings from South Florida, where it has been raining for 40 days and 40 nights. OK, since Easter. If I were feeling hyperbolic, which I am, I’d say it is rainfall of biblical proportions. I mean, we’re building an ark by the hotel pool in case our plane can’t take off next week.

As I recall from working in Miami in the early 1980s, South Florida’s rainy season usually runs from late May through June. It peaks in July until early September.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s still April, people.

The “cruelest month,” per poet T.S. Eliot, is often the Sunshine State’s driest time of the year. Fronts become weaker, temps range from 77-85, winds are low and sun is at a premium. Which is why we’re paying a small fortune to sit in our room eating snacks, playing Five Crowns and watching “General Hospital.” (Not me.)

So, on this dreary day before I go back to my book (Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, who also wrote Dear Edward, an outstanding AppleTV+ drama series of the same name), I’ll leave you with my Top 10 rainy-day songs.

They might not brighten up this washout Wednesday, but thinking of titles will keep me busy till Thursday morning when things are expected to clear. Yes, the sun will come out tomorrow.

With any luck, my random rainy-day playlist will embed in your pretty little heads, particularly if you’re planting posies and laying mulch at home in Michigan:

10. “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” by BJ Thomas (1969): Those of you who know me well may recall that I often sign my emails with this signature: “Wishing you a day anchored in gratitude.” It’s not always easy to put a positive spin on life’s daily challenges, but this song always makes me smile – even when it’s not raining. Why is it No. 10 on my list? Because into every life a little rain must fall, and “I’m never gonna stop the rain by complainin.” But I’m gonna try.

9. “Listen to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain” by The Cascades (1962): This has always been a memorable song for me. Being an introspective person, I’m often drawn to music that allows for deep inspiration. Besides that, this one has a catchy tune. Dan Fogelberg also had a nice version. “I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain, and let me be alone again.” If this crappy weather keeps up, our traveling companions may wish for some real solitude.

8. “Rainy Night in Georgia” by Brook Benton (1970): Loved the soothing bass of Benton’s voice in this song. “Heavy rain’s fallin’ … Seems I hear your voice callin’ ‘It’s all right.’” And I do like Randy Crawford’s version as well. Right now, “I feel like it’s rainin’ all over the world.” Not in Georgia, though.

7. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Credence Clearwater Revival (1971): John Fogerty released this as a single about the band’s breakup despite being at the top of the charts. “I wanna know. Have you ever seen the rain, coming down on a sunny day?” In a word, no. Not this week. Maybe I should add “Who’ll Stop the Rain?” to my list just for kicks.

6. “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac (1977): The band’s only No. 1 hit in the United States, it included this line: “Thunder only happens when it’s raining,” which always struck me as odd. But I would never say that to Stevie Nicks because she would put a spell on me.

5. “Here Comes the Rain Again” by the Eurythmics (1983): In British culture, the title of this song refers to melancholy, dark times and depression. “Fallin’ on my head like a memory, fallin’ on my head like a new emotion.” Using weather as a metaphor for a sullen mood isn’t new, but it’s Annie Lennox, so listen and turn it up.

4. “The Rain Song” by Led Zeppelin (1973): “Upon us all, upon us all, a little rain must fall.” Singer Robert Plant said this is what happens when the Gods of Thunder bring the rain. Oh, look, they’re here.

3. “I Wish It Would Rain” by The Temptations (1967): This slow, deliberate song from one of Hitsville USA’s famous groups was one of lead singer David Ruffin’s best. “Sunshine, blue skies, please go away … A girl has found another and gone away.” Heartbreaking. Wouldn’t wish that on anybody, except maybe the WSVN weatherman here.

2. “Singin’ in the Rain” by Gene Kelly (1952): I suppose we could tap dance our way with blissful ignorance to lighten our dampened mood. “I’m laughin’ at the clouds/So dark above.” Nah, never mind. Why start now?

And finally, my No. 1 rainy-day song … “Purple Rain” by Prince (1984): In the immortal words of you-know-who: “When there’s blood in the sky, red and blue equals purple (and) purple rain pertains to the end of the world and being with the one you love and letting your faith/god guide you through the purple rain.” IMHO, “Purple Rain” is the best rock ballad ever written. “I only want to see you laughing in the purple rain.”

See you tomorrow, Mr. Blue Sky.