Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

John Fogerty

About Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

"Have You Ever Seen the Rain" is a song written by John Fogerty and released as a single in 1971 from the album Pendulum (1970) by roots rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival. The song charted highest in Canada, reaching number one on the RPM 100 national singles chart in March 1971. In the U. S., in the same year it peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (where it was listed as "Have You Ever Seen the Rain / Hey Tonight", together with the B-side). On Cash Box pop chart, it peaked at number three. In the UK, it reached number 36. It was the group's eighth gold-selling single. Some have speculated that the song's lyrics are referencing the Vietnam War, with the "rain" being a metaphor for bombs falling from the sky. In his review of the song for Allmusic website, Mark Deming suggests that the song is about the idealism of the 1960s and about it fading in the wake of events such as the Altamont Free Concert and the Kent State shootings and that Fogerty is saying that the same issues of the 1960s still existed in the 1970s but that people were no longer fighting for them. However, Fogerty himself has said in interviews and prior to playing the song in concert that the song is about rising tension within CCR and the imminent departure of his brother Tom from the band. In an interview, Fogerty stated that the song was written about the fact that they were on the top of the charts, and had surpassed all of their wildest expectations of fame and fortune. They were rich and famous, but somehow all of the members of the band at the time were depressed and unhappy; thus the line "Have you ever seen the rain, coming down on a sunny day?". The band split in October the following year after the release of the album Mardi Gras. 


Year:
2006
2:46
96 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Someone told me long ago
There's a calm before the storm
I know, it's been comin' for some time

When it's over, so they say
It'll reign a sunny day
I know, shinin' down like water

I wanna know have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know that have you ever seen the rain
Comin' down on a sunny day?

Yesterday and days before
Sun is cold and rain is hard
I know, been that way for all my life

'Til forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow
I know, it can't stop, I wonder

I wanna know that have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know have you ever seen the rain
Comin' down on a sunny day? Yeah

I wanna know that have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know that have you ever seen the rain
Comin' down on a sunny day?

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


John Fogerty

John Cameron Fogerty (born May 28, 1945) is an American musician, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his time with the swamp rock/roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) and as a solo recording artist. Fogerty has a rare distinction of being named on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists at #40 and the list of 100 Greatest Singers at #72. The songs "Proud Mary" and "Born on the Bayou" also rank amongst the Greatest Pop songs ("Proud Mary," #41) and Guitar songs ("Born on the Bayou," #53). more »

3 fans

Written by: John Fogerty

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" is a song by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, led by John Fogerty. Although many mistook it as a John Fogerty solo song, it's actually a band collaboration where Fogerty took the lead.
Album Appearance
This song is a single from Creedence Clearwater Revival's 1970 album, Pendulum. The album is the group's sixth studio album, and it peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 charts.
Release Date
The song was released as a single in 1971, just after the album release, and soon climbed to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Song Writer
John Fogerty is credited with writing "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" which shows his talent as a songwriter, aside from his iconic vocals and guitar skills.
Inspirational Meaning
The song was reportedly written when Creedence Clearwater Revival was at the peak of its fame, but the band was starting to disintegrate due to continuous touring and pressure from their record label. The lyrics "I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain comin' down on a sunny day" were Fogerty's description of their tough situation.
Vietnam War Context
Because of its release during the Vietnam War, it was often thought the song referred to the war. However, Fogerty himself stated the song is more about an internal band crisis.
Recognition
The song has been covered by several well-known artists including Rod Stewart, Joan Jett, and Bonnie Tyler. It continues to be played on classic rock radio today, proving its enduring popularity.
Pop Culture Influence
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" has been used in numerous movies and TV shows, including "Philadelphia", "Stargate SG-1", and "The Walking Dead", further cementing its cultural relevance.
Billboard Success
Even fifty years after its release, in 2021, "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" returned to the Billboard charts due to its usage in a popular commercial, showing its timeless nature.
Song Length
The official length of "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" is 2 minutes and 40 seconds, which is quite short for a rock song but long enough to leave an unforgettable impact.

Discuss the Have You Ever Seen the Rain? Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Have You Ever Seen the Rain? Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27113589/John+Fogerty/Have+You+Ever+Seen+the+Rain%3F>.

    Missing lyrics by John Fogerty?

    Know any other songs by John Fogerty? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

    19.4M
    84,226     3,040

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Life is life (na na na na na) Labalab bab bab life (na na na na na)."
    A Silent Circle
    B Blue System
    C Opus
    D Modern Talking

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss John Fogerty's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    John Fogerty tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

    »
    • Philadelphia