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Overview
Rain is a form of precipitation where water droplets that have condensed from atmospheric water vapor fall by gravity. Rain is a major component of the water cycle and is responsible for depositing most of the fresh water on the Earth. It provides water for hydroelectric power plants, crop irrigation, and suitable conditions for many types of ecosystems. [Wikipedia]
Background
Rain is a song by The Beatles, written by Lennon and led on vocal by John Lennon. B-side of 'Paperback Writer'; first commercially released backwards vocal. Within the catalogue, its b-side thread connects it to You Can't Do That, Thank You Girl, I'll Get You. John Lennon's impressionistic B-side to 'Paperback Writer' captured the group at their most experimental: a lyric celebrating precipitation's indifference paired with reverse-recorded vocals and backwards guitar passages. Lennon's vocal processing, created through tape reversal and Leslie speaker treatment, transformed his lead into an otherworldly presence. The song's heavy rhythm section and drone-like accompaniment presaged later psychedelic work (Lewisohn 1988, p.74). Kozinn identifies 'Rain' as part of the single pairing with 'Paperback Writer' for June 1966 release, serving as contemporary companion material to the Revolver album proper. (Kozinn 1995, p.144)
What's distinctive
One of 101 songs led primarily by John. Recorded approximately 5 of 16 into the Revolver / Studio Awakening (1966) sessions. Carries the unique tag 'first-backwards-vocal' — no other song shares it. Take count: 32 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)).Opening line — "If the rain comes…" (brief identification excerpt; full lyrics © Sony Music Publishing — see Genius link in References.)
Pattern analysis
Recording
The session work falls within the band's Revolver / Studio Awakening (1966) period, recorded 14 Apr 1966 at EMI Studios, Abbey Road. George Martin produced; Geoff Emerick engineered. For session-by-session detail, see Mark Lewisohn's account on p.6 of The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (excerpt below). Recorded on 14 and the track employed reverse-tape techniques for both vocal and instrumental elements, creating the song's signature disorienting soundscape. Lennon's vocal was recorded normally then reversed, then reversed again for effect; guitar passages underwent similar processing. George Martin and Geoff Emerick's technical mastery enabled these experiments while maintaining sonic clarity. The rhythm section's heavy, almost hypnotic groove provided foundation for the experimental vocal and instrumental layers (Lewisohn 1988, p.74).
| Studio | EMI Studios, Abbey Road — Studio Three (largely) |
|---|---|
| Tape machine | Studer J37 four-track (with vari-speed, ADT) |
| Console | REDD.51 |
| Microphones | Neumann U47/U48, AKG C12, STC 4038, close-miking pioneered (Emerick) on Ringo's bass drum |
| Outboard / effects | EMI RS124, EMT 140 plate, Fairchild 660 limiter, EMI Artificial Double Tracking (ADT), Leslie cabinet (vocals) |
| Guitars | Epiphone Casino, Gibson SG (Harrison), Rickenbacker 4001S bass (McCartney introduced) |
| Amplifiers | Vox AC100, Vox 7120, Fender Showman, Fender Bassman |
| Producer | George Martin |
| Engineer / 2nd | Geoff Emerick • Phil McDonald (2nd) |
| Estimated takes | 32 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)) |
Legacy & release history
In the canonical discography it on the single Paperback Writer. Documented alternate versions include 2009 Stereo Remasters. Mono and stereo histories vary by era — see the dedicated section below. Rain occupies 14 pages in Lewisohn's reference frequency. John Lennon lead vocals appear in 73 canon songs, with 26 in Revolver, establishing this as characteristic Lennon work. Though originally a B-side, the track achieved canonical status through later anthologies and critical reassessment, recognized as a pioneering psychedelic recording that influenced the experimental directions rock music would take throughout the late 1960s (Lewisohn 1988, p.74).
Mono & stereo
- Mixed primarily in mono at Abbey Road; the Beatles attended only the mono mixes through Sgt Pepper.
- Stereo mixes from this period were prepared (often without the band present) and are now considered secondary by purists.
Documented alternate versions
- 2009 Stereo Remasters — Allan Rouse / Guy Massey remaster
Released on
- Paperback Writer — Single, 10 June 1966
Cross-references
Other songs sharing themes (first-backwards-vocal, b-side, heavy-mid)
Other songs led by the same vocalist
Other songs from this era
first-backwards-vocalb-sideheavy-mid
References & external databases
On screen with the same title
Film, TV, and other screen works whose primary title matches this song. Some are direct cultural references (the 1965 Beatles film, the 2019 Danny Boyle feature). Many are coincidental title shares -- worth knowing about but not claiming as soundtrack appearances. Sorted by IMDB vote count.
- Rain (1932, film) IMDB 6.9 · 3,514 votes [IMDB]
- Rain (1929, short film) IMDB 7.2 · 2,072 votes [IMDB]
- Rain (2019, TV episode) IMDB 7.7 · 1,798 votes [IMDB]
- Rain (2001, film) IMDB 6.9 · 1,678 votes [IMDB]
- Rain (2021, TV episode) IMDB 9.5 · 1,291 votes [IMDB]
- Rain (2008, film) IMDB 6.4 · 461 votes [IMDB]
- Rain (2006, film) IMDB 5.7 · 434 votes [IMDB]
- Rain (2001, film) IMDB 5.3 · 383 votes [IMDB]
- Rain (2001, film) IMDB 5.4 · 370 votes [IMDB]
- Rain (2008, film) IMDB 6.6 · 187 votes [IMDB]
- Rain (2020, film) IMDB 6.0 · 133 votes [IMDB]
Source: IMDB public dataset (title.basics.tsv + title.ratings.tsv) joined locally. Includes titles with sufficient vote counts to indicate cultural visibility.
Frequently asked
Who wrote Rain?
“Rain” is credited to John Lennon (Lennon–McCartney).
Who sings lead on Rain?
The lead vocal on “Rain” is by John Lennon.
When was Rain recorded?
“Rain” was recorded 14 Apr 1966 at EMI Studios, Abbey Road.
How many takes did Rain require?
Mark Lewisohn's session log documents up to 32 numbered takes for “Rain”.