Rain

Album: Love (1985)
Charted: 17
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lead singer Ian Astbury has said that this song is purely about sex. The lyrics are certainly full of innuendo: "Hot sticky scenes you know what I mean, like a desert sun that burns my skin. I've been waiting for her so long, open the sky and let her come down."
  • The Cult released their breakthrough single, "She Sells Sanctuary," in May 1985 before they started recording the Love album. When that song took off, their producer, Steve Brown, gave them a directive: Write a very similar song.

    That song was "Rain," which like "Sanctuary" is driven by Ian Astbury's sexually charged lyrics and Billy Duffy's infamous D drone melody. As they hoped, the song gave them another hit in their native UK and became a concert staple, been played on almost every Cult tour since its release.
  • In November 1989, during a concert at Wembley Arena in London, Astbury said after the band finished this song: "So you like that one?" After the audience cheered, Astbury responded: "Personally, I don't."
  • This features on the album, Live Cult, which was recorded live at the Marquee Club, London on November 27, 1991.
  • A remix, "(Here Comes The) Rain," is available on the out-of-print Love Mixes and the limited edition box set Rare Cult. Said remix also features in the 1986 Italian horror film, Dèmoni 2.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.