| "Let It Rain" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Eric Clapton | ||||
| from the album Eric Clapton at His Best | ||||
| B-side | "Easy Now" | |||
| Released | August 1972 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 5:02 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Eric Clapton and Bonnie Bramlett | |||
| Producer(s) | Delaney Bramlett | |||
| Eric Clapton singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Let It Rain" is a song and single written and released by the British rock musician Eric Clapton and Bonnie Bramlett; it appears on his 1970 debut studio album Eric Clapton. In 1972 it was released as a single as part of the promotion for his compilation album Eric Clapton at His Best
Like Clapton's "Strange Brew", the song was originally recorded with other lyrics. The original version, titled "She Rides", is available on the expanded edition of the album.
Composition
[edit]AllMusic writer Matthew Greenwald notes, the song is "led by a striking electric guitar riff" with "the melody [being] woven elegantly around the simple, almost folk-like chord changes". Speaking to the lyrics, the critic recalled "the clever use of "rain" and "reign" regarding the power of love is the core here" and thinks that "Clapton and Bramlett utilize it quite well.” Regarding the instrumental music work on the title, Greenwald finishes his song analysis by stating the "song has some striking instrumental sections, including a lovely, brief section by Stephen Stills".[1] The song is in the key of D major.[2] The melody has a strong resemblance to that of Stills's own song "Questions", recorded by both Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Clapton himself acknowledged its influence on "Let It Rain".[3]
Release
[edit]The song was released with the B-side of "Easy Now" in 1972 on a 7" vinyl gramophone record.[4] Besides being released as a single in 1972 and on the original album in 1970, the song is featured on various compilation albums, including Eric Clapton at His Best (1972), Backtrackin' (1984), Crossroads (1988), The Cream of Clapton (1995) and Complete Clapton (2007).[1] A live interpretation of the track can be found on the video album Live at Montreux 1986, released on September 19, 2006.[5] In total, the track has been released on over 15 albums.[1] Live concert versions by Derek & the Dominoes are featured on their albums In Concert (1973) and Live at the Fillmore (1994).
Critical reception
[edit]In his review of Clapton's debut album, AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine likes that the title "features extended solos.” He also notes, that the song consists of a "pop element.” [6] Fellow critic Greenwald recalls the piece as "one of Eric Clapton's first self-written classics" and goes on to say the song "showcased the influence that Delaney Bramlett" had on Clapton at the time.[1] Robert Christgau finds in his album review that "Let It Rain" deserves a "classic status.”[7] Billboard described it as a "strong rhythm ballad."[8]
Musicians
[edit]- Eric Clapton – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar
- Delaney Bramlett – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Stephen Stills – guitar solo (bridge), bass guitar
- Leon Russell – piano
- Bobby Whitlock – organ, backing vocals
- Jim Gordon – drums
- Jerry Allison – backing vocals
- Bonnie Bramlett – backing vocals
- Rita Coolidge – backing vocals
- Sonny Curtis – backing vocals
Chart positions
[edit]Weekly charts
[edit]| Chart (1972) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] | 99 |
| Canadian Top Singles (RPM)[10] | 42 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 48 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Greenwald, Matthew. "Let It Rain – Eric Clapton | Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. San Jose, California: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ^ "Let It Rain Chords by Eric Clapton @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ^ Hunt, Robert (June 11, 2019). "Echo in the Canyon Is a Fascinating Look at SoCal's '60s Music Scene". Riverfront Times. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
Eric Clapton, listening to Stephen Stills' "Questions," seems to suddenly realize that he "borrowed" its structure when he wrote "Let It Rain" and proceeds to give Dylan's version a solo that neatly bridges both songs.
- ^ "Let It Rain by Eric Clapton Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ^ "ERIC CLAPTON LIVE AT MONTREUX". Where's Eric!. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Eric Clapton – Eric Clapton". AllMusic. San Jose, California: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "Eric Clapton [Polydor, 1970]". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ^ "Radio Action and Pick Singles" (PDF). Billboard. September 9, 1972. p. 50. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Note: This reference gives Australian albums and singles information. It is used for chart peak positions as early materials were released before ARIA regulated the Australian charts itself (1989).
- ^ "Top Singles – Volume 18, No. 11, October 28, 1972". RPM Magazine. Library and Archives Canada. October 28, 1972. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ^ "Eric Clapton | Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2015.