Wikipedia

Nothing Like the Rain

"Nothing Like the Rain" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited. It was released on 10 June 1995 by Byte, Zyx and Radikal Records as the fourth and final single from their third album, Real Things (1994).[1] The song was written by co-producers Phil Wilde and Peter Bauwens with Michael Leahy. In the US, it was released as a double A-side with the European hit single "Here I Go". It peaked within the top 20 in at least four countries, and was also the first single by 2 Unlimited that was a pop-ballad. The single was not released in the UK. Its music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss, who had previously directed several videos for the group.

"Nothing Like the Rain"
Artwork for continental European and Australian releases
Single by 2 Unlimited
from the album Real Things
Released10 June 1995
Recorded1994
GenrePop
Length
  • 4:39
  • 3:59 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Phil Wilde
  • Peter Bauwens
  • Michael Leahy
Producer(s)
  • Phil Wilde
  • Jean-Paul De Coster
  • Peter Bauwens
2 Unlimited singles chronology
"Here I Go"
(1995) 		"Nothing Like the Rain"
(1995) 		"Do What's Good for Me"
(1995)
Music video
"Nothing Like the Rain" on YouTube

Chart performance

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"Nothing Like the Rain" was a moderate success on the charts in Europe, entering the top 10 in the band's native Netherlands, peaking at number six. Additionally, it entered the top 20 in Finland (18), Norway (17) and Spain (14), while it reached the top 30 in Belgium (23). On the Eurochart Hot 100, the single peaked at number 68. It was the first 2 Unlimited single to not receive a UK release, and did not chart on the UK Singles Chart. Outside Europe, "Nothing Like the Rain" peaked at number 134 in Australia.

Critical reception

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Simon Price from Melody Maker viewed the song as "one uncharacteristic tear-soaked slowie".[2] In a retrospective review, Pop Rescue complimented it as "brilliant", describing it as "a slow, gentle, beautiful ballad, and it really gives Anita the room to show off her vocals."[3] Mark Sutherland from Smash Hits wrote that "the slow smoochy ballad (yes ballad!)" is "a potential top ten record".[4]

Music video

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The accompanying music video for "Nothing Like the Rain" was directed by Nigel Simpkiss and was released in the UK in June 1995. It features Anita and Ray performing in front of or behind raining water. Other shots are made in a swimming pool. Simpkiss also directed the music videos for "Let the Beat Control Your Body", "The Real Thing" and "Here I Go". "Nothing Like the Rain" was later made available on 2 Unlimited's official YouTube channel in 2014.

Ballads

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2 Unlimited included ballads at the end of their three first studio albums:

  • "Desire" and "Eternally Yours" on Get Ready!
  • "Where Are You Now" and "Shelter for a Rainy Day" on No Limits
  • "Nothing Like the Rain" on Real Things (the only ballad the band released as a single)

Track listings

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Charts

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References

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  1. ^ "AllMusic: 2 Unlimited (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-05-06.
  2. ^ Price, Simon (1994-06-04). "Albums". Melody Maker. p. 36. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  3. ^ "Review: "Real Things" by 2 Unlimited (CD, 1994)". Pop Rescue. 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  4. ^ Sutherland, Mark (1994-06-08). "New Albums". Smash Hits. p. 56. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  5. ^ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 24 May 2016". Imgur.com. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  6. ^ "Ultratop Vlaanderen > 2 Unlimited – Nothing Like the Rain" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  7. ^ "Ultratop Belgique Francophone > 2 Unlimited – Nothing Like the Rain" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  8. ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 30. 1995-07-29. p. 15. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  9. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  10. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – 2 Unlimited" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  11. ^ "dutchcharts.nl > 2 Unlimited – Nothing Like the Rain" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  12. ^ "norwegiancharts.com > 2 Unlimited – Nothing Like the Rain (song)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  13. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  14. ^ "Jaarlijsten 1995" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  15. ^ "JAAROVERZICHTEN - Single 1995". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
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  • A-Lyric: an explanation of "Nothing Like the Rain" lyrics by the lyricist.
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