"Let It Rain" is a song and single written and released by the British rock musician Eric Clapton and Bonnie Bramlett; it appears on his 1970 debut studio album Eric Clapton. In 1972 it was released as a single as part of the promotion for his compilation album Eric Clapton at His Best
Like Clapton's "Strange Brew", the song was originally recorded with other lyrics. The original version, titled "She Rides", is available on the expanded edition of the album.
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".[1] The song is in the key of D major.[2] The melody has a strong resemblance to that of Stills's own song "Questions", recorded by both Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Clapton himself acknowledged its influence on "Let It Rain".[3]
In his review of Clapton's 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.[1]Robert Christgau finds in his album review that "Let It Rain" deserves a "classic status.”[7]Billboard described it as a "strong rhythm ballad."[8]
Musicians
Eric Clapton – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar
^Hunt, Robert (June 11, 2019). "Echo in the Canyon Is a Fascinating Look at SoCal's '60s Music Scene". Riverfront Times. Retrieved December 29, 2020. Eric Clapton, listening to Stephen Stills' "Questions," seems to suddenly realize that he "borrowed" its structure when he wrote "Let It Rain" and proceeds to give Dylan's version a solo that neatly bridges both songs.
^Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN0-646-11917-6. 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).
