Jim’s prompt this week asks for songs about rain.
There’s an interesting personal story that I’d like to share about this song.
My birthday falls during the second week of April. On one birthday, I received 3 popular 45 singles from my Mom. She had asked the local music store for three current hot selling songs for her young daughter, and they sold her Monday, Monday by the Mamas and the Papas, Kicks by Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Rhapsody in the Rain by Lou Christie. I now know that it was my 10th birthday because I looked up these singles to find their releases were all in March 1966. (Kicks had been released in England in February 1966 but its popularity, on the U.S. charts, began in March.)
When today’s prompt was revealed, Rhapsody in the Rain popped immediately to mind. I’m amazed at the clarity of my memory for all three gifted songs from that same birthday. They are forever linked together by such a thoughtful gift from Mom. At 10-years-old, I felt so “groovy” beginning a record collection. ❤
It’s extra cool that this post happens 56 years after the song’s release during the same month of year!
(The flipside of this single had a song called Trapeze. I liked that song too.)
This song was a bone of contention during its time. Although most of we youngsters either didn’t pay attention or naively didn’t understand song lyrics that were risqué, there was a movement to keep this off of the airways. I was the latter type. I rediscovered quite a few oldies, once I was in my twenties, that I had no clue were ‘naughty’ when they were released. Ah, innocence. ❤
” The Catholic Church helped get this banned on many radio stations, which only made people want to hear it more (You’d think they’d have learned after banning Gary U.S. Bonds’ “Quarter To Three”). It’s mild by today’s standards, but a hot topic back when you didn’t sing about “Makin’ love in the storm” with a teenage girl. “
Rhapsody in the Rain
Rhapsody In The Rain
Lou Christie
(Lou Christie – Twyla Herbert)
Baby the raindrops play for me
A lonely rhapsody ’cause on our first date
We were makin’ out in the rain
And in this car our love went much too far
It was exciting as thunder
Tonight I wonder where you are
Refrain:
The windshield wipers seemed to say
“Together – together – together – together”
And now they are saying
“Oh, ne… ver, ne… ver”
Ooh-wee, ooh-wee, baby
Chorus:
Rhapsody in the rain
Rhapsody in the rain
Angels keep cryin’ for me (don’t… stop)
Angels keep cryin’ for me (don’t… stop)
Baby, I’m parked outside your door
Remember makin’ love, makin’ love, we were makin’ love in the storm
(Sha-la-la-la la-la)
Refrain 2:
And then a flash from above
Lightning – lightning – lightning – lightning
Just li-ike our love
It was exciting, exciting
Ooh-wee, ooh-wee, baby
[Repeat chorus]
Bridge:
Guitar solo:
Yesterday, bring back yesterday
[Repeat chorus]
Coda:
Rhapsody in the rain
Songwriters: Twyla Herbert, Lou Christie
For non-commercial use only.
Data from: Musixmatch
https://jimadamsauthordotcom.wordpress.com/2022/03/19/precipitation/
Sillyfrog's Blog 
Great choice Susan and it is nice that you can remember your mother giving you such a special birthday present. This song is indeed very mild by today’s standards, but I guess children have to be protected, however if nobody ever made love, then there wouldn’t be any children.
Jim, if kids were raised in the more wholesome environments we once had, they probably wouldn’t need so much protection now. As a day care provider, I felt my primary mission was to guard their innocence. I’ve heard an insight to the pervasive lack of maturity in Millennials. It’s been proposed that pop culture destroyed their early innocence and disturbed the natural order of maturing. I think there’s a lot of wisdom in that. Thanks for the prompt that inspired my memory. ❤
Glad you remembered Susan-I don’t remember anything more than how much I love my Susan.
I hope I’m a tribute to a Mom like you. ❤
Second week of April? One week before April Fool’s Day, also 1956.
I’ve been going through the WLS surveys around this time in 1966 (they were the only Top 40 station in Chicago at the time), and the only song I’m finding is “Kicks.” They have “California Dreaming” by The Mamas & The Papas, and “Lightning Strikes” and some other song by Lou Christie around this time. I know we had “Monday, Monday” eventually, but there’s no evidence that “Rhapsody in the Rain” was ever on the Chicago charts. It’s really strange, too, because Arlee Bird recalls hearing it on WLS (and remembered the controversy) when he was in junior high. I’m not arguing, I trust your memory. I’m just not sure I trust mine…
Anyway, it’s a great song, isn’t it?
I guess those songs were at the top of sales in Western Massachusetts at the time my mother asked. We may have been lagging behind the pop culture in small town U.S.A.
It is a good song, but I like “Lightning Strikes” better. My measure of the degree of favor is measured by my inclination to jump up and dance. LOL
Happy Birthday older fellow. 😀
It’s weird how there were songs that did well in certain markets and went absolutely nowhere elsewhere. The Looking Glass, who did “Brandy” in the ’70’s, had a followup single called “Jimmy Loves Mary Ann” that didn’t reach the national Top 40 but did extremely well in Chicago. Arlee seems to think that WLS took it off their playlist because Cardinal Cody wanted it taken off. He heard itbecause his sister had the record and apparently played the grooves off of it.
Markets certainly vary. Small inventory areas possibly missed shipments during high volume new releases, Demand usually followed the frequency of play on local radio stations. Regional ‘tastes’ may have had influence too.
Wonderful story of how you got the single records! I’d never heard of this one, though. Pretty catchy song, and back then I probably wouldn’t have known what they were really singing about either. 🙂
❤ Those great old days of youthful innocence are deeply missed. Thanks.
Yes, they sure are. 🙂
A great choice triggered by fond memories. Risqué at the time but very catchy!
Thanks for commenting. 😊