About the song
“Crying in the Rain” – A Timeless Ballad of Hidden Heartache
“Crying in the Rain” is one of the most beloved songs by The Everly Brothers, the American rock and roll duo whose close harmony singing became a defining sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Written by Howard Greenfield (lyrics) and Carole King (music), the song blends poignant lyricism with a gentle, memorable melody. First released in 1962, it became a Top 10 hit in the United States and remains one of the duo’s most enduring recordings.
Background and Songwriting Origins
The Everly Brothers — Don and Phil Everly — were already established stars by the time “Crying in the Rain” was recorded. Known for hits like “Bye Bye Love”, “Wake Up Little Susie”, and “All I Have to Do Is Dream”, the brothers had built their reputation on heartfelt ballads and upbeat harmonies.
The song’s creation is an interesting story in itself. During the early 1960s, songwriters Carole King and Howard Greenfield were both working in New York’s famous Brill Building, a hub for pop songwriting. Normally, Greenfield collaborated with Jack Keller, while King teamed up with Gerry Goffin. But on this rare occasion, the two paired up for a one-time writing session — and the result was “Crying in the Rain”.
This collaboration produced a track that combined King’s melodic gift with Greenfield’s skill for crafting emotionally resonant lyrics. The Everly Brothers, known for their ability to convey vulnerability through their harmonies, were the perfect choice to bring it to life.
Release and Chart Success
Released in January 1962 on Warner Bros. Records, “Crying in the Rain” quickly climbed the charts, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also performed well internationally, finding success in markets like Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Its popularity marked one of the duo’s last major hits before the British Invasion, led by The Beatles, began to change the pop music landscape. Despite shifts in musical trends, “Crying in the Rain” maintained a special place in the Everly Brothers’ repertoire and has been revisited by numerous artists over the decades.
Lyrical Theme and Emotional Depth
At its core, “Crying in the Rain” is about heartbreak and the desire to hide one’s pain from the world. The narrator expresses that when he feels the urge to cry, he chooses to do it in the rain — where no one can see the tears.
The lyrics convey a universal feeling: the conflict between emotional vulnerability and the need to maintain a composed exterior. The rain becomes a metaphorical shield, allowing the narrator to grieve privately. Lines like “Someday when my crying’s done, I’m gonna wear a smile and walk in the sun” suggest hope and eventual healing, but the overall tone remains bittersweet.
Howard Greenfield’s choice of simple, direct language makes the song deeply relatable, while Carole King’s melody ensures the sadness is softened by a gentle musical embrace.
Musical Arrangement and Performance Style
Musically, “Crying in the Rain” is a blend of soft rock, early ’60s pop, and country influences. The arrangement features a relaxed tempo, tender acoustic guitar, subtle percussion, and occasional string accents. This understated instrumentation leaves space for the Everly Brothers’ harmonies to take center stage.
Their vocal delivery is what truly elevates the song. Don Everly’s warm lead voice carries the verses, while Phil Everly’s harmony glides above, creating the rich, haunting blend for which they were famous. The harmonies mirror the emotional complexity of the song — gentle yet heavy with unspoken sorrow.
Legacy and Covers
Over the years, “Crying in the Rain” has been covered by several artists, with one of the most notable versions coming from A-ha in 1990. The Norwegian pop band’s rendition gave the song a darker, more atmospheric treatment, introducing it to a new generation and charting internationally.
Other artists, including Tammy Wynette, Crystal Gayle, and Art Garfunkel, have also recorded their own interpretations. Each version underscores the song’s adaptability — whether performed as a tender country ballad, a pop standard, or a moody synth-pop track, the core emotional message remains intact.
Cultural and Emotional Impact
What makes “Crying in the Rain” so enduring is its emotional honesty. Listeners across decades have connected with its message about private grief and the quiet dignity of processing pain alone. It’s a song that acknowledges heartbreak without descending into melodrama, and its melody offers comfort even in sadness.
For The Everly Brothers, the song stands as one of their most artistically mature works — a piece that demonstrated their ability to handle emotional ballads with grace, subtlety, and timeless beauty. It remains a favorite among fans and is often highlighted in retrospective collections of their music.
Conclusion
“Crying in the Rain” is more than just a hit from the early 1960s — it’s a gentle reminder of how love, loss, and human vulnerability can be expressed with both simplicity and elegance. The combination of Carole King’s melody, Howard Greenfield’s lyrics, and The Everly Brothers’ signature harmonies created a classic that still resonates more than six decades later.
Whether heard on an old vinyl record, streaming online, or reimagined by later artists, the song continues to evoke the image of someone standing quietly in the rain — hiding their tears from the world, yet allowing themselves the private space to heal.
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