If you’ve influenced the greatest band in rock and roll history, by proxy you’ve influenced every artist that followed in their path. And with pristine performances like “Crying In The Rain,” it’s easy to understand why the Everly Brothers cast such a vast, indelible shadow over music history. Reflecting back on the Fab 4, it’s nearly impossible to imagine a heartbroken Lennon/McCartney ballad like “If I Fell” existing without “Crying In The Rain” blazing the trail as its precursor.
Though The Everly Brothers were talented songwriters in their own right—penning classics like “Cathy’s Clown” and “When Will I Be Loved”—it was the legendary Brill Building songwriting duo of Carole King and Howard Greenfield that gifted the world “Crying In The Rain.” Intriguingly, this was the only collaboration between King and Greenfield, yet their one-time partnership created a masterpiece of melancholy, crafted perfectly to showcase the brothers’ angelic harmonies.
“Crying In The Rain” presents a poignant scenario: a heartbroken man snarfs up enough pride to keep a brave front whenever he’s near his former lover. But it’s all a fragile façade, a masquerade for the pain he hides, saving his real tears for moments when the rain can conceal them.
No deluge of raindrops can diminish the emotional wounds, as the poignant lyrics resonate: “Raindrops falling from heaven/Could never wash away my misery.” The narrator clings to hope for brighter days, but until then, his only refuge is the merciful rain, allowing him cover to mourn privately: “I may be a fool/But till then, darling, you’ll never see me complain/I’ll do my crying in the rain.”
While the composition shines brilliantly on paper, The Everly Brothers’ interpretation catapults it into an ethereal realm of lovely loneliness. Don Everly’s calm, steady lead carries the melody like a fortress of composure amidst emotional chaos, while Phil’s soaring harmonies release the song’s deepest pain and longing, amplifying every wisp of sorrow.
Despite the song’s advice to hide sorrow wherever possible, that counsel feels hollow for many music lovers following Phil Everly’s death. Perhaps the best tribute is to play this classic lament and surrender to its achingly beautiful high harmonies, even as you find solace in its profound sadness.
I’ll never let you see
The way my broken heart is hurting me
I’ve got my pride and I know how to hide
All my sorrow and pain
I’ll do my crying in the rain
If I wait for cloudy skies
You won’t know the rain from the tears in my eyes
You’ll never know that I still love you so
Though the heartaches remain
I’ll do my crying in the rain
Raindrop falling from heaven
Could never wash away my misery
But since we’re not together
I look for stormy weather
To hide these tears I hope you’ll never see
Someday when my crying’s done
I’m gonna wear a smile and walk in the sun
I may be a fool but till then darling
You’ll never see me complain
I’ll do my crying in the rain
I’ll do my crying in the rain
I’ll do my crying in the rain
