SONG OF THE DAY
“Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (Pendulum, Fantasy Records, 1971). Written by John Fogerty.
WHERE I HEARD IT
Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie”.
INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia)
– The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1971. On Cash Box pop chart, it peaked at #3.
– It was the group’s 8th 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 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 ’60s 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.
– John Fogerty released a live version of the song on his The Long Road Home – In Concert DVD which was recorded at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, California on September 15, 2005.
– “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” was played in its entirety, at the very end of “Look Again”, the first episode of the TV series Cold Case. This song was played in the film Evan Almighty (during the opening sequence). It is featured in The Longest Yard and its remake of the same name. In the film December Boys, it is heard in both the CCR version and a quieter instrumental version. In late 1993 “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” was covered by Spin Doctors for the film Philadelphia. A cover version by Joan Jett was played in the second season finale of The Wire. The song was played during a scene in the Stargate SG-1 series finale episode “Unending”. The song was played during the final scene of the Dexter episode “Father Knows Best”. The song was played during the season 1 finale of Nurse Jackie.
– Covers: Boney M., Bonnie Tyler, Cassandra Wilson, Joan Jett (included on all her compilation albums), Johnny Cash, Melanie Safka, R.E.M., Rod Stewart, Spin Doctors, Teenage Fanclub, The Fray, The Ramones, The Ventures.
Indeed, I have — and sang this during “that period of my life
It is a go-to song on any down days…somehow making you feel better to know that someone else is there with you.