If you happen to live in the northeast U.S., you may have noticed the near-constant rain we’ve endured for the past 40 days and nights. Maybe you’re tired of watching the endless parade of animals, lined two-by-two, marching up the ramp into that big, wooden ark-like-thing. Maybe you just want to lean your head against the window pane as raindrops rapt softly against the glass and weep silently to yourself over lost love or your seasonal affective disorder. At any rate, theFiver is only too happy to provide the soundtrack as we count the:
1. “Most of the Time,” Bob Dylan
Dylan has released a more uptempo version that sounds more like his earlier works, but for this list we’re referring to the version off the High Fidelity soundtrack. With one of the saddest bass lines this side of “The Only Living Boy In New York,” it’s as dreary as the overcast skies.
2. “Runaway,” Del Shannon
It’s fun, but it’s got an edge. Lines like “I’m a-walkin’ in the rain/tears are fallin’ and I feel the pain” offer an interesting contrast to what could have been just another oldies novelty song.
3. “November Rain,” Guns N’ Roses
A romantic, if drizzly, ballad gives way to a storm of emotion somewhere around the 7-minute mark.
4. “Raining In Baltimore,” Counting Crows
Even without the lyrics, the dirge-like piano evokes nothing but the rain.
5. “Battleflag “(Lo-Fidelity Allstars Remix),” Pigeonhed
Why sit inside and mope when you can run around in the rain, reenacting a scene from the shitty Sandra Bullock/Ben Affleck romantic comedy “Forces of Nature”?
Runners up: “Lightning Crashes,” Live; “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad,” Meat Loaf; “All Good Things,” The Weepies; “6th Avenue Heartache,” The Wallflowers; “Wish You Were Here,” Pink Floyd. Not even close: “I’m Only Happy When It Rains,” Garbage; “I Love A Rainy Night,” Eddie Rabbitt.
What tunes should rain down on you?
“The Same Deep Water As You,” The Cure
Rain is perfect for mopey, doomed romanticism. And hell, it starts with the sound of a rainstorm.
“Love, Reign O’er Me,” The Who
“Only love can bring the rain.”
“I Love You,” Daniel Lanois
Not so much for the lyrics, but the sound. The first time I heard this song was driving through a rain-slicked city after dark, streetlights and headlights reflecting on the pavement. It seemed like a fitting soundtrack.
Runaway always depresses me becaue I start wondering why Del Shannon killed himself.