Let It Rain (Eric Clapton song)
| "Let It Rain" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Eric Clapton | ||||
| from the album Eric Clapton | ||||
| B-side | "Easy Now" | |||
| Released | 1972 | |||
| Format | 7" vinyl | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 5:02 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Writer(s) | Clapton · Delaney & Bonnie | |||
| Producer(s) | Delaney Bramlett | |||
| Eric Clapton singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Let It Rain" is a song and single written and released by the British rock musician Eric Clapton of his 1970 debut studio album Eric Clapton. It is the third and last single that had been released of the album.[1]
Composition
AllMusic writer Matthew Greenwald notes, the song is "led by a striking electric guitar riff" with "the melody [being] woven elegantly around the simple, almost folk-like chord changes". Speaking to the lyrics, the critic recalled "the clever use of "rain" and "reign" regarding the power of love is the core here" and thinks that "Clapton and Bramlett utilize it quite well". Regarding the instrumental music work on the title, Greenwald finishes his song analysis by stating the "song has some striking instrumental sections, including a lovely, brief section by Stephen Stills".[2] The song is in the key of D major.[3]
Release
The song was released with the B-side of "Easy Now" in 1972 on a 7" vinyl gramophone record.[4] Besides being released as a single in 1972 and on the original album in 1970, the song is featured on various compilation albums, including Eric Clapton at His Best (1972), Backtrackin' (1984), Crossroads (1988), The Cream of Clapton (1995) and Complete Clapton (2007).[2] A live interpretation of the track can be found on the video album Live at Montreux 1986, released on September 19, 2006.[5] In total, the track has been released on over 15 albums.[2]
Critical reception
In his review for the Eric Clapton debut album, AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine likes that the title "features extended solos". He also notes, that the song consists of a "pop element".[6] Fellow critic Greenwald recalls the piece as "one of Eric Clapton's first self-written classics" and goes on to say the song "showcased the influence that Delaney Bramlett" had on Clapton at the time.[2] Robert Christgau finds in his album review, that "Let It Rain" deserves a "classic status".[7]
Chart positions
Weekly charts
| Chart (1972) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] | 99 |
| Canadian Top Singles (RPM)[9] | 42 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 48 |
References
- ↑ "Eric Clapton – Let It Rain – austriancharts.at". Ö3 Austria Top 40. Stefan Hung – Hung Medien. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Let It Rain – Eric Clapton | Listen, Appearances, Song Review | AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ↑ "Let It Rain Chords by Eric Clapton @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ↑ "Let It Rain by Eric Clapton Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ↑ "ERIC CLAPTON LIVE AT MONTREUX". Where's Eric!. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
- ↑ "Eric Clapton – Eric Clapton | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG: Eric Clapton > Eric Clapton [Polydor, 1970]". Robert Christgau. robertchristgau.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Note: This reference gives Australian albums and singles information. It is used for chart peak positions as early materials were released before ARIA regulated the Australian charts itself (1989).
- ↑ "Top Singles – Volume 18, No. 11, October 28, 1972". RPM Magazine. Library and Archives Canada. October 28, 1972. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ↑ "Eric Clapton | Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2015.