"Let It Rain" is the debut single of Canadian pop-rock singer Amanda Marshall from her eponymous debut album (1995). The song was written by American folk rock singer-songwriter Kristen Hall, one of the founding members of Sugarland, and produced by David Tyson. Hall originally recorded the song for her 1994 album, Be Careful What You Wish For.[1]
Marshall's version of "Let It Rain" was first released in 1995 in Canada through Columbia Records, where it became a top-10 hit in the latter half of the year. It was then released worldwide through Epic Records in 1996, becoming a number-three hit in Norway and reaching the top 30 in Australia and New Zealand. It remains Marshall's biggest hit outside Canada.
Composition
"Let It Rain" has a duration of four minutes and thirty-one seconds and is written in the key of E major, with a tempo of 74 beats per minutes.[2] It has a time signature of 4 4.[3]
Critical reception
Scottish newspaper Aberdeen Press and Journal commented, "The obviously talented Amanda Marshall may have to get used to the rain, judging by this lacklustre soft rock effort."[4] A reviewer from Music & Media wrote, "With this single, the Canadian singer/songwriter moves out of Joan Osborne territory into the realm of the Melissa Etheridge rock ballad. This slow track has an anthemic chorus with lots of background vocals and Bryan Adams type rock riffs."[5]Music Week rated it three out of five, adding that the singer "almost strays into Sheryl Crow territory" with a "haunting rendition" from her self-titled album.[6]
Chart performance
"Let It Rain" was released in 1995 in Canada by Columbia Records. It first appeared on the RPM Top Singles chart at number 99 on the issue dated September 25, 1995,[7] then took eight weeks to reach its peak of number seven on the November 20 issue.[8] It spent 10 more weeks in the top 20,[9] then descended the chart until making its last appearance in the top 100 on the week of March 26, 1996.[10] It spent 27 weeks on the chart altogether. On the RPM Adult Contemporary chart, the single debuted at number 50 on September 25, 1995,[11] took 11 weeks to peak at number five,[12] then spent an addition weeks six on the chart.[13] It finished 1995 within the top 60 of the Top Singles and Adult Contemporary year-end charts.[14][15]
Following its success in Canada, "Let It Rain" was released worldwide in 1996 via Epic Records. It first charted in Norway—the country in which it achieved its highest peak—on the 11th chart week of 1996, then climbed to number three on the 19th chart period.[16] Its success was attributed to the parent album, Amanda Marshall, reaching number one on the Norwegian Albums Chart and earning a platinum certification from IFPI Norway.[17] "Let It Rain" spent 16 weeks in the Norwegian top 20 and earned a gold certification from IFPI.[17] In neighbouring Sweden, the song spent a single week on the Swedish Singles Chart, debuting at number 59 on May 24.[18]
In June, "Let It Rain" charted in New Zealand, reaching a peak of number 23 on June 30 and logging eight weeks in the top 50.[19] It then gained popularity in Australia, debuting at number 49 on July 7 and taking four weeks to peak at number 30, eventually totaling 10 weeks in the top 50.[20] In Germany, the single originally charted between July 15 and September 16, peaking at number 73, then reappeared at number 90 on November 18, 2010.[21] In the United Kingdom, "Let It Rain" appeared on the UK Singles Chart for one week, at number 80, on October 5, 1996.[22] It is Marshall's most successful single outside Canada, where "Birmingham" is her most successful single.[23]
^Let It Rain (UK CD2 liner notes). Amanda Marshall. Epic Records. 1996. 663777 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Let It Rain (UK cassette single sleeve). Amanda Marshall. Epic Records. 1996. 663777 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Let It Rain (European CD1 liner notes). Amanda Marshall. Epic Records. 1996. EPC 662876 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Let It Rain (European CD2 liner notes). Amanda Marshall. Epic Records. 1996. EPC 662876 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Let It Rain (Australian CD single liner notes). Amanda Marshall. Epic Records. 1996. 6628002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Let It Rain (Japanese CD single liner notes). Amanda Marshall. Epic Records. 1996. ESCA 6524.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
