Raindrops (Dee Clark song)

"Raindrops" is a 1961 song by American R&B singer Dee Clark, and was released in April of that same year.

"Raindrops"
Single by Dee Clark
B-side	"I Want to Love You"
Released	April 1961
Recorded	1961
Genre	R&B
Length	2:51
Label	Vee-Jay 383
Songwriter(s)	Dee Clark
Dee Clark singles chronology
"Your Friends" (1961) "Raindrops" (1961) "I'm Going Back to School" (1962)

Background

The ballad is about a man who tries to convince himself that the tears he is crying since his lover's departure are raindrops since "a man ain't supposed to cry." Clark was reportedly inspired to write the song after a late night drive through a heavy rainstorm. Accordingly, the opening and closing of the song both feature heavy rain and thunder sound effects, with the closing augmented by Clark's powerful, swooping falsetto.

Musicians on the record included Al Duncan on drums, Quinn Wilson on bass, Earl Skarritt on electric guitar and Phil Upchurch on acousti guitar, plus a string section. The song was recorded in a three hour session at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, with Bruce Swedien as engineer.

Chart performance

The song peaked at #2 on the Hot 100, behind Quarter to Three by Gary U.S. Bonds.[1] On other US charts, "Raindrops" peaked at #3 on the R&B chart. Billboard ranked it as the ninth most popular song of the year for 1961.

Chart (1961)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[2]	2
U.S. R&B Singles Chart[3]	3

Cover Versions

• In 1966, Jan & Dean covered the song on their album, Save For A Rainy Day.
• In 1974, Narvel Felts had a Top 40 country hit with his version.
• Other artists to record the song included Tony Orlando and Dawn, David Cassidy

References

1. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1961-06-26
2. Whitburn, Joel (2007). Top Pop Singles: 1955-2006. Record Research.
3. Whitburn, Joel (2005). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics