"Rain" is a 1998 single released by the group SWV. The musical backing track is based on Jaco Pastorius's "Portrait of Tracy". Released as the fourth and final single from the group's third album Release Some Tension (1997), the song peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number 7 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart. Singer and actor Tyrese Gibson appeared in the song's 1998 music video, directed by Darren Grant, and would later sing the hook on rapper Chingy's 2006 hit song "Pullin' Me Back", which samples "Rain".

"Rain"
Single by SWV
from the album Release Some Tension
B-side
  • "Lose Myself"
  • "Lose My Cool" (Stoney's Pump Mix)
  • "Someone" (Mosso House Radio Edit)
ReleasedFebruary 24, 1998 (1998-02-24)[1]
Recorded1997
StudioThe B Section (Laguna Beach, California)
GenreR&B
Length4:25
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Brian Alexander Morgan
SWV singles chronology
"Lose My Cool"
(1997)
"Rain"
(1998)
"Co-Sign"
(2011)

Background

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The track's writer and producer Brian Alexander Morgan signed a production deal with Atlantic Records. He ended up at Sean Combs' recording studio Daddy's House with Kelly Price handling vocal production. Morgan played the demo for Atlantic artist Brandy in front of her, Price, and Deric Angelettie for inclusion on Brandy's 1998 album, Never Say Never. He later played it for Combs - who was working with SWV on their 1997 album, Release Some Tension. Shortly after that, Morgan got a call from SWV's label, RCA Records. The A&R head at RCA wanted Morgan to participate on the album. Morgan initially refused - citing none of his songs being released as a single on SWV's previous album, New Beginning. Morgan instead offered "Rain" to Brandy, but Atlantic Records passed on it - which was later given to SWV.[2]

Covers

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In July 2020, "Rain" was covered by the indie rock group Whitney on their covers album, Candid.[3][4]

Track listing

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US Promo

  1. Rain (LP Version) 4:24
  2. Rain (Instrumental) 4:54
  3. Rain (A Cappella) 3:55
  4. Rain (Suggested Callout Hook) 0:13

US CD

  1. Rain (LP Version) 4:25
  2. Lose Myself (LP Version) 4:38

UK CD

  1. Rain (LP Version) 4:25
  2. Lose My Cool (Stoney's Pump Mix) 6:53
  3. Someone (Mosso House Radio Edit) 3:47

Charts

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Charts (1997–98) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[5] 25
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6] 7
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[7] 19

Year-end charts

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Chart (1998) Position
US Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Chart[8] 54
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[9] 87

References

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  1. ^ "Rain - SWV | Releases | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Frederick, Brendan. "Interview: Brian Alexander Morgan, the '90s Mastermind Behind SWV, on His History & Return to Music". complex.com. Complex Media Networks. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  3. ^ "Listen to Whitney team up with Waxahatchee for 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' cover". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 2020-05-26. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  4. ^ Torres, Eric (15 July 2020). "Whitney Announce New Album Candid, Share Cover of the Roches' "Hammond Song": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  5. ^ "SWV Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "SWV Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "SWV Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  8. ^ "R&B Rap Hip-Hop Year-End Charts - 1998 - Soul System".
  9. ^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs Of 1998" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 46. Retrieved June 3, 2020.