New York Raining

Album: Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1 (2015)
Charted: 29
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Charles Hamilton raps and Rita Ora sings on this soaring piano ballad, which featured in the two-hour final episode of the first season of Empire. The duo perform the tune during a party for the character Lucious Lyon, played by Terrence Howard.
  • Hamilton and Ora filmed their scene on a freezing Chicago day. "It was two degrees out!" Hamilton exclaimed to Billboard magazine. "We filmed it in this theatre. It's supposed to be a rehearsal and they're all watching us perform. I'm actually playing piano live along with the track and I'm rapping, too, but the microphone wasn't on."
  • The song marks Charles Hamilton's first major-label single since 2008's "Brooklyn Girls." He signed with Republic Records in February 2015 after a lengthy struggle with depression and addiction caused by bipolar disorder.
  • The black-and-white video takes us back to the Civil Rights movement of the early '60s, as we see Hamilton facing unjust treatment from police officers. "With the recent increase in reports of police brutality," Hamilton told Billboard magazine, "I feel strongly about vividly depicting the struggle we as African Americans historically had to go through to reach equality, an equality that is eroding in modern times."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.