Alan’s TTIM Stories #3

I’ve read testimonials from other writers and agree – music inspires writing. I have an unusual fondness for rain songs. Maybe it’s the subtle (or not so subtle) melancholy nature of the songs that fits the desired mood.

Musical inspirations are common to writers, jarring memories into a story – your first dance, the first time you cried while watching a movie, or lyrics speaking to your situation. Does the soft cello draw out emotions you transfer to the page?

A melancholy mood can be quiet, thoughtful, with a touch of sadness accompanying a realistic assessment of the current world situation. It must not be confused with melancholia or clinical depression needing expert therapy. When I listen to a rain song I feel a calm, peaceful reality – centered between euphoria and sorrow – awareness versus delusion.    

Here are my top 12 rain songs:

1. Rain – Patty Griffin
2. Summer Rain – Johnny Rivers
3. Rainy Night in Georgia – Brook Benton
4. Fire & Rain – James Taylor
5. Come in from the Rain – Captain & Tennille
6. Rain Come Down – East Mountain South
7. Smokey Mountain Rain – Ronnie Milsap
8. Kentucky Rain – Elvis Presley
9. Purple Rain – Prince
10. Have You Ever Seen Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival
11. Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head – B.J. Thomas
12. Rainy Days and Mondays – Carpenters

The list is an indication of my taste in music and a good clue to my age (obviously old).

First published this post on Facebook on May 18, 2017. My friends added to the list:
Laughter in the Rain – Neil Sedaka
Don’t Rain on My Parade – Barbara Streisand
Over the Rainbow – Wizard of Oz
Rainy Day Man – Bonnie Raitt
Here Comes the Rain Again – The Eurythmics

Can’t disregard a few positive songs about rain – of course Gene Kelly’s – Singing in the Rain. Luke Bryan put a positive spin on the subject – something about corn, relying on rain, to make whiskey – Rain Is A Good Thing. Are we looking at the glass half empty, the glass half full, or is the whiskey glass totally empty with the alcohol-induced buzz to block annoying reality?

More research offers list additions:
I Wish It Would Rain – The Temptations
The Rain Song – Led Zeppelin
Rain on Me – Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
Rain – Madonna
Kiss the Rain – Billie Myers
Set Fire to the Rain – Adele
A Hard Rain A-Gonna Fall – Bob Dylan

Did I miss your favorite? Please speak up – I’m wearing head phones.

____________

Follow Alan’s TTIM Stories at Facebook.com/alan.vandervoort or Instagram & Treads vandervoort_author or www.alanvandervoort.com. Novels: Sandhills – A Novel and Key Largo Summer are found at Booklocker.com and other online booksellers.