Favorite Songs about Rain #2 - "Rain in the Summertime"

@teamfreak16 (43451)
Denver, Colorado
July 31, 2016 9:37am CST
Right about now, a lot of the country could use some rain, whether because of drought, extreme heat, or forest fires. Which brings me to #2 in my Favorite Songs about Rain series (an idea I've ripped off from @JohnRoberts,) "Rain in the Summertime" by The Alarm. Led by vocalist/guitarist Mike Peters (the band's only constant,) The Alarm formed in 1981 in Wales. With a similar sound and a few protest songs under their belts, the band drew inevitable comparisons to U2, a band The Alarm would open for (they've also toured in support of Bob Dylan.) Peters and company have sold over five million records worldwide. In 1987, the band scored their second-biggest UK hit with the danceable "Rain in the Summertime." The song reached #18 in Britain, and received college and alternative radio airplay here in the States (as well as on MTV's 120 Minutes.) Ranked at #2, "Rain in the Summertime" is obviously a favorite rain song. I saw Mike Peters in the middle of a bill with The Mission and Gene Loves Jezebel. As much as I dug the protest songs (and I do love protest songs,) it was "Rain in the Summertime" that was the highlight. As far as I'm concerned, The Alarm is highly underrated. This song is just one reason why.
Music video by The Alarm performing Rain In The Summertime.
6 people like this
8 responses
• United States
31 Jul 16
This video really makes me want to be in the desert with rain of course
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Aug 16
@teamfreak16 Oh did you Scott? I didnt know that. Yes then you would know it well.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Jul 16
I grew up in the desert, so I'll pass on that, but unless I'm out on my bike, I kind of like rain. Watching it relaxes me.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
1 Aug 16
@TiarasOceanView - Yes, I grew up out in Nevada.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
31 Jul 16
I love the title.Never heard of this one.But do liked it.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
31 Jul 16
@teamfreak16 when I am writing to you.The music is playing.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Jul 16
I'm glad you listen to these. I wish more people would.
@rebelann (110771)
• El Paso, Texas
31 Jul 16
Nice song, I wonder why I've never heard it before
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Jul 16
If you weren't listening to college or alternative radio at that time, you probably would have missed it. If you were, I have no idea.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110771)
• El Paso, Texas
31 Jul 16
I listened to all kinds of channels at the time but admittedly I did a lot of channel switching @teamfreak16
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (61328)
• United States
31 Jul 16
So where were you hiding when the storm broke? Obviously I love the Alarm, too, and I totally concur that they should be seen for what they are -- a great band -- instead of being dismissed by lazy critics as a "U2 wannabe."
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Jul 16
Comparisons are one thing to give a perspective, but it's another to classify a band as "the next" or "a poor man's" whomever.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (115622)
• United States
31 Jul 16
Screw the rain. It flooded our basement this morning.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Jul 16
I know, I read your post earlier, I'm sorry to hear that.
1 person likes this
• India
31 Jul 16
For me the most favorite rain song gotta be Led Zeppelin's The rain song . The way it unfolds slowly . Whenever it rains and I have a lot of leisure time on my hands , I put in my headphones and listen to this masterpiece. That soothing effect is something out of the world.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Jul 16
It was on the list, but sadly, did not make the final cut.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
31 Jul 16
I remember the Alarm. Rain in the Summertime was an 80s standard well played on alternative radio.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Jul 16
I just wish more people would have gotten to hear it. It's a great song.
@Raj7779 (3656)
• Canada
31 Jul 16
So beautiful alarm.