It’s Raining Again
Supertramp
“…Famous Last Words…” (1982)
Roger Hodgson
Listen to the Song
At a glance
- Key
- G major
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Main progression
- I–V/3–vi–IV–V–iii–ii7
- Chords used
- Em · Bm · C · G/B · Am7 · D · G · D/F#
- Form
- Intro-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus-Outro
- Difficulty
- 6/10
Summary
Released in 1982 as a lead single, this track captures the transition of Supertramp from progressive rock to sophisticated global pop. It features Roger Hodgson's signature Wurlitzer piano and high-register vocals, serving as one of the final hits for the band's classic lineup.
Chord Sheet
Chords Used
Progression by Section
Bridge
Chorus
Verse
Chord Diagrams
N/A
N/A
Musical Analysis
The song is a masterclass in using simple diatonic harmony to create emotional resonance. It distinguishes itself through the signature Wurlitzer electric piano sound and the 'pathetic fallacy' of using a bright, major key (G major) to accompany lyrics about s…
History
Roger Hodgson wrote the song as a reaction to a breakup, intentionally pairing a melancholic subject with an upbeat, 'nursery rhyme' style melody. Like many of Hodgson's hits, it was written several years before it was actually recorded and released by the ban…
“The song ends with a recording of children reciting the nursery rhyme 'It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring'.”
📝 Lyrics
melancholic · resilient · bittersweetTheme
Resilience in the face of heartbreak and the cyclical nature of misfortune.
Surface
The narrator is experiencing the end of a romantic relationship and feels as though bad luck (represented by rain) is returning to his life.
Deeper meaning
The song explores the necessity of emotional recovery and the inevitability of life's 'rainy' periods. It juxtaposes the sadness of loss with a rhythmic, upbeat tempo to suggest that while pain is real, one must eventually 'get up on your feet' and move forward.
Symbols
Full musical analysis
The song is a masterclass in using simple diatonic harmony to create emotional resonance. It distinguishes itself through the signature Wurlitzer electric piano sound and the 'pathetic fallacy' of using a bright, major key (G major) to accompany lyrics about sadness and loss. The harmonic structure is characterized by smooth voice leading in the bass line and the use of the iii chord (Bm) to temper the brightness of the I-IV-V structure. The outro is particularly distinctive, quoting the 'It's raining, it's pouring' nursery rhyme over a static harmonic loop, grounding the song in a sense of childhood innocence.
Roger Hodgson wrote the song as a reaction to a breakup, intentionally pairing a melancholic subject with an upbeat, 'nursery rhyme' style melody. Like many of Hodgson's hits, it was written several years before it was actually recorded and released by the band.
Released in 1982 as a lead single, this track captures the transition of Supertramp from progressive rock to sophisticated global pop. It features Roger Hodgson's signature Wurlitzer piano and high-register vocals, serving as one of the final hits for the band's classic lineup.
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Song DNA
Genre
Pop Rock
Era
80s
Mood
Bittersweet
Tempo
Upbeat
Key
Major
Texture
Layered
Sound
Piano-led
Feel
Bouncy
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Statistics
1.1M
Plays
242K
Listeners
61K
Genius Views
3
Annotations
100%
Popularity
4:36
Duration
4/4
Time
Credits
Written by
Produced by
From the album “…Famous Last Words…”