Rainy Day People

Album: Cold on the Shoulder (1975)
Charted: 26
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • You gotta watch out for those rainy day people - they'll swoop in to take your girl when things get rough. Gordon Lightfoot said the song is about "the person waiting in the wings for a relationship to subside so he can more in."
  • Released as a single from Lightfoot's 10th album, Cold On The Shoulder, "Rainy Day People" was the follow-up to his hits "Sundown" and "Carefree Highway." All three songs went to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
  • Asked in a Reddit AMA who his rainy day people are, Lightfoot replied: "That one is so easy, it's the family. It's the extended family. They are the rainy day people."

Comments: 2

  • Minimom from VirginiaPlease explain this line: “Rainy day people don’t love any others; that would not be kind.”
  • Crystalx from Nj Usabeautiful heartwarming encouraging song lets ppl know they are not alone
see more comments

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.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.