Rain and music: it’s a surprisingly good combination. Sometimes a song about rain makes you happy, sometimes a little melancholic, and with other songs you just want to sing along as loudly as possible.
From a Dutch classic to pop, rock, and a healthy dose of drama: these are ten famous songs about rain that are perfect for a grey day.
1. It’s Raining Sunbeams – Acda en de Munnik
We’re starting in the Netherlands, of course. It’s Raining Sunbeams is one of those songs where almost everyone recognizes the opening notes. The title sounds cheerful, but the song tells a story in which happiness, coincidence, and sadness are closely intertwined.
That contrast is exactly what makes the song so beautiful: even when it rains, something light can still break through.
2. Singin’ in the Rain – Gene Kelly
Probably the most cheerful song about rain ever made. Instead of taking shelter, Gene Kelly simply dances through the puddles. The song became world-famous through the 1952 film of the same name and perfectly illustrates what we love so much about Hipinderegen: rain doesn’t have to ruin your day.
With the right jacket and a good mood, a wet street suddenly becomes almost like a dance floor.
3. Purple Rain – Prince
Purple Rain is much more than a song in which the word rain happens to appear. It’s grand, captivating, and a little mysterious. Here, rain doesn’t stand for the weather as much as for emotions, change, and farewell.
And let’s be honest: as soon as that famous guitar solo begins, a rain shower can certainly last a little longer.
4. Have You Ever Seen the Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival
A true classic that sounds light and relaxed, while much more is going on beneath the surface. The question from the title lingers beautifully and makes it a perfect song for when you’re on the go.
This is music for a car ride through a wet landscape, a walk with your hood up, or a quiet Sunday while the raindrops tap against the window.
5. Here Comes the Rain Again – Eurythmics
The opening notes of Here Comes the Rain Again immediately evoke an almost cinematic atmosphere. Dark clouds, wind in your hair, and a long road ahead: you can almost see it coming.
It’s not an exuberant song about rain, but rather one for people who secretly enjoy the atmosphere of a dark, drizzly day.
6. It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls
We go from calm and melancholic to exuberant in a single leap. It’s Raining Men obviously has little to do with an actual weather forecast, but it absolutely cannot be missing from a list of songs about rain.
This is one of those songs that automatically turns a boring rainy afternoon into a party.
7. November Rain – Guns N’ Roses
Long, grand, and wonderfully dramatic: November Rain is a perfect match for dark autumn days. The song builds up slowly and ends with guitars that you probably already hear as soon as you read the title alone.
Ideal for the first cold rain shower of autumn, when you start feeling like wearing long coats, warm scarves, and spending evenings indoors.
8. Set Fire to the Rain – Adele
You obviously cannot set rain on fire, but if anyone can make it sound believable, it’s Adele. In this song, rain is used for everything that can feel painful, powerful, and liberating all at once.
A song not to play softly in the background, but to sing along to with full conviction.
9. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head – B.J. Thomas
This song proves that a song about rain doesn’t have to be gloomy at all. It sounds light, sunny, and almost carefree. The message is simple: raindrops can keep falling, but you don’t let them determine your mood.
That’s actually a great motto for every Dutch autumn.
10. Rain on Me – Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
We’re closing with a modern rain classic. Rain on Me is energetic, danceable, and all about persevering when life is against you. The rain is not avoided, but embraced instead.
That’s something we can certainly get behind at Hipinderegen.
Why are there so many songs about rain?
Rain can mean almost anything in music. Sadness, relief, romance, a new beginning, or simply the atmosphere of a grey day. Everyone knows the sound of rain and the feeling that goes with it. That’s why it’s a subject in which many people recognize themselves.
And perhaps rain is so inspiring precisely because the same mood feels different for everyone. One person curls up on the couch with tea, while another puts on their jacket and goes outside.
Our rain playlist for when you’re on the go
Play these ten songs in order and you’ll have a varied playlist for almost every rainy moment: cheerful, nostalgic, powerful, and occasionally wonderfully dramatic.
- Acda en de Munnik – Het regent zonnestralen
- Gene Kelly – Singin’ in the Rain
- Prince – Purple Rain
- Creedence Clearwater Revival – Have You Ever Seen the Rain
- Eurythmics – Here Comes the Rain Again
- The Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men
- Guns N’ Roses – November Rain
- Adele – Set Fire to the Rain
- B.J. Thomas – Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head
- Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande – Rain on Me
Which song about rain do you think is still missing from this list?
Music on, raincoat on
With a great playlist and a jacket that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable, going outside in the rain suddenly becomes a lot more fun.
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