Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head


Crap, it's really coming down.

I used to love the rain, I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. But the allure is lost on me anymore. Rain makes my dogs stink, and when they come in from outside they leave mudddy paw prints all over the floor. I know we need the rain. God knows we don't get enough. But it's so bleak.

I spontaneously began to hum the lyrics to Albert Hammond's,
It Never Rains in Southern California, a few minutes ago. I found myself wondering what happened to that guy, he was so popular and then seemed to disappear.

Bless Wikipedia, I found answers! In case you were wondering, it turns out he's prolific as all get out, he certainly didn't become a car salesman or a real estate investor. Did you know he wrote One Moment in Time, the song Whitney Houston performed at the Olympics in Seoul Korea? And he's written songs for some biggies, including Elton John and Aretha Franklin. He wrote To All the Girls I Loved Before, (don't hold that against the poor guy, the song sold millions, somebody must have liked it.) His son, Albert Hammond Jr. is in the band The Strokes. Mr. Hammond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 19 2008. And, in January 2010 Hammond's busy writing material with Welsh singer Duffy for her second album. Who knew?

Seems it Never Rains in Southern California
by Albert Hammond

Got on board a westbound 747
Didn't think before deciding what to do
Ooh, that talk of opportunities
TV breaks and movies
Rang true
Sure rang true

Seems it never rains in southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California
But girl don't they warn ya
It pours, man it pours

Out of work, I'm out of my head
Out of self respect, I'm out of bread
I'm underloved, I'm underfed, I wanna go home
It never rains in California
But girl don't they warn ya
It pours, man it pours

[Instrumental Interlude]

Will you tell the folks back home I nearly made it
Had offers but didn't know which one to take
Please don't tell 'em how you found me
Don't tell 'em how you found me
Gimme a break, give me a break

Seems it never rains in southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California
But girl don't they warn ya
It pours, man it pours


All Rights Reserved. © 2009 by Elizabeth Bradley.

25 comments:

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

I love sunshine. Rain not so much--but I do love writing on a gloomy day! Hope you dry out soon!

Helen Ginger said...

Thanks for the lyrics. I remember the song, but never caught all the words. And that was from the days when song words were understandable!

Helen
Straight From Hel

Jan Morrison said...

I lived on the west coast of Vancouver Island - it rained there 367 days a year! fugedaboudid!
Love that song and love the info!

Tamika: said...

I love rain as long as it doesn't touch my hair!

Fireblossom said...

Wow, there's a blast from the past. I'm like Helen, I remember the song, but never knew all the words.

It's fun to find out what happened to old singers. A couple nights ago I watched American Masters, about the late Sam Cooke. He was so talented, and died too soon. I was only eight when he was shot, so I hadn't known a lot about him. it was quite engrossing.

Anonymous said...

I love the rain but I suppose that's because I love the sound, the scents, and the weight of it. Of course, variety is the spice of life, right?

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

We're usually dealing with droughts down here, but it's sure been soggy lately! Hope you start getting some dryer weather soon.

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen

Boozy Tooth said...

Albert Hammond disappeared much the way Jimmy Hoffa did. Menopausal women trapped in the freaking rain.

Calgon... Take us away....

Elspeth Futcher said...

It's not snow. You don't have to shovel rain. That's the mantra I keep repeating to myself, here on BC's west coast.

Elspeth

ellen abbott said...

I admit to loving the sun. I enjoy the rain...one day at a time. Maybe better, half a day at a time though when we had that drought this summer I would have given anything for rain. And tried not to complain when it finally did rain and didn't stop hardly for about 6 weeks.

I think your rain is what they are predicting for us tomorrow and the next day.

Jemi Fraser said...

Love that song. I love the rain - but at the right time and the right temperature :)

Cheryl said...

I love rain because it makes staying in and doing nothing all the more fun. But if I have to step outside, it's a different matter, esp. if dogs are involved :)

Rosaria Williams said...

Hey, I never heard this song before; worth a listen.

Rain is our green space and our mountain treasury.

Mr. Shife said...

I could use a little sunshine too. We have been getting lots of rain the last two days but we really need it. It beats snow and cold so I can't complain too much because it has been in 40s. And my wife confirms that my brains were leaking out of my ears also when I was watching Jersey Shore.

Joanne said...

That's a song that just gets inside of your head, doesn't it? Kudos to Hammond for living his very choice life of music!

Jeanie said...

I live where there is a lot of sunshine, even when it is very cold, but I do love a good thunderstorm. I love a good old song also. Thanks for bringing that one back to mind.

Gutsy Living said...

I was supposed to drive to Santa Monica to visit the Farmers' market today and decided not to because of thr rain. Starnge how we complain about rain. I remember living in "crappy" Glasgow, Scotland weather where I saw the sun shine ONCE in 365 days.

Anonymous said...

I love Duffy, I am sure that collaboration will make for a fabulous second album.

i hope the rain has stopped.

Nancy said...

I love the rain, although I don't like how the dog smells or the muddy foot prints. But I need the rain to refresh me. And of course I live in Nevada - the least rainfall in the country. Geeze

Really love that song - so good to hear the writer is alive and well.

Hilary said...

I haven't heard that song in ages.. now it's running through my head. Thanks for the nostalgic jolt.

Cloudia said...

Thanks for the cruise around your head!



Aloha, Friend


Comfort Spiral

Debbie said...

I had no idea the same guy wrote those songs. Interesting!

Glynis Peters said...

Our rainy season started today in Cyprus. I am grateful for it, but hate the grey that comes with it.
Great song from the past.

Lauri said...

I can't believe Whitney Houston sang at the Seoul Olympics and I don't know that- my husband was AT those Olympics! I didn't know him yet, but all of these years he's never mentioned that!

Please send that rain here.

JournoMich said...

To brighten your day, you have an award on my blog in yesterday's post! I'm sorry I forgot to tell you yesterday...I didn't make the blog rounds after posting.

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries