"Kiss the Rain" is a song by British singer-songwriter Billie Myers from her first album, Growing, Pains (1997). The song was produced by Desmond Child and released on September 23, 1997, as the first single from the album by Universal Records. Myers wrote the song with Desmond Child and Eric Bazilian. She also recorded a Spanish version titled "Besa la lluvia (Piensa en mí)" ("Kiss the Rain (Think of Me)"). The song reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and became popular worldwide, reaching number two in Canada and number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100. There are two different music videos for the song.
Background
Desmond Child, who produced the album, had the idea for the title after listening to the Bush song "Glycerine." Child heard the title incorrectly as "Kiss the Rain." After being told the correct title, he decided to use "Kiss the Rain" for a future song. While working out at the gym with Jon Bon Jovi, Child excitedly told the singer that "Kiss the Rain" was a great tune with a great title—only to be informed that he had gotten the name wrong. Child believed the misheard lyric made for a very fresh title and asked Bon Jovi if he wanted to write a song called "Kiss the Rain." However, since Bon Jovi thought the idea was "stupid," Child decided to save it for Myers, with whom he was already collaborating at the time.
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "The captivating, acoustic sounds of the track's opening guitar help highlight Billie Myers' clear voice." He added, "The echo in the song, filled with Myers' emotions, is both chaotic and confident. It reaches the audience in a charming way and leaves a lasting impression. The drum beats work well with the guitar sounds. This single is full of depth, emotion, and musical clarity." Joe Jackson from Irish Times mentioned, "Her clever, slightly unusual lyrics stand out."
A reviewer from Music Week said, "It is easy to see why Billie Myers' music might appeal to many people. She has combined her unique, soulful voice and strong stage presence with a modern soft-rock style. The song has a strong chorus, though it is somewhat predictable." The magazine also praised the song's "melancholic beauty." Gerald Martinez from New Sunday Times noted, "Her powerful voice makes the song stand out right away." He described it as "a song about jealousy, insecurity, and vulnerability, set to music about a long-distance relationship."
Music video
Two music videos were made for the song "Kiss the Rain." One was created for the United States and directed by Matt Mahurin. Another was made for Europe and directed by David Betteridge. In an interview, Myers said, "I wasn't completely happy with the American video. I felt it wasn't suitable for Europe. Sometimes, video directors forget that songwriters have a vision when they create music. The new European video shows who I really am more accurately."
Personnel
The following list of personnel is taken from the liner notes of a US CD single.
- Billie Myers – vocals, background vocals, and writing
- Eric Bazilian – background vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drum programming, and writing
- Desmond Child – background vocals and writing
- Randy Cantor – organ
- Kenny Aronoff – drums and percussion