"Rain" is a 1998 single released by the group

SWV SWV (Sisters with Voices) is an American R&B vocal trio from New York City whose members are Cheryl (Coko) Gamble, Tamara (Taj) Johnson, and Leanne (Lelee) Lyons. Formed in 1988 as a gospel group, SWV became one of the most successful R&B g ...

. The musical backing track is based on

Jaco Pastorius John Francis Anthony "Jaco" Pastorius III (; December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987) was an American jazz bassist, composer and producer. He recorded albums as a solo artist and band leader and was a member of Weather Report from 1976 to 1981. ...

's " Portrait of Tracy". Released as the fourth and final single from the group's third album ''

Release Some Tension ''Release Some Tension'' is the third studio album by American R&B vocal group SWV. It was released by RCA Records on July 29, 1997. The album guest appearances by E-40, Puff Daddy, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Foxy Brown, Lil' Cease, Lil' Kim, ...

'', the song peaked at number 25 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 singles chart and number 7 on the US

Hot R&B Singles The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...

chart. Singer and actor

Tyrese Gibson Tyrese Darnell Gibson (born December 30, 1978) is an American actor and singer. He released his self-titled debut album in 1998, which featured the single " Sweet Lady", peaking at number twelve on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100. His second ...

appeared in the song's 1998 music video, directed by

Darren Grant Darren Grant is an American television, film and music video director. He has directed over eighty music videos for mostly R&B and hip hop artists. In 2005, Grant directed his debut film Tyler Perry's '' Diary of a Mad Black Woman''. In 2008, ...

, and would later sing the hook on rapper

Chingy Howard Earl Bailey Jr. (born March 9, 1980), known professionally as Chingy, is an American rapper. Chingy grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and began rapping in his late teens. He toured as an opening act with Nelly in the summer of 2002 and the ...

's 2006 hit song "

Pullin' Me Back "Pullin' Me Back" is a song by American rapper Chingy, released as the first single from his third album '' Hoodstar''. The song features actor/R&B singer Tyrese singing the chorus with production by Jermaine Dupri. The track employs a synthesize ...

", which samples "Rain".

Background

The track's writer and producer Brian Alexander Morgan signed a production deal with Atlantic Records. He ended up at

Sean Combs Sean Combs (born Sean John Combs; November 4, 1969), also known by his stage names Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puffy, or Diddy, is an American rapper, actor, record producer, and record executive. Born in New York City, he worked as a talent directo ...

' recording studio Daddy's House with

Kelly Price Kelly Cherelle Price (born April 4, 1973) is an American R&B and gospel singer. She started her singing career in 1992. Price originally garnered attention by singing backing vocals for Mariah Carey on multiple songs, including her ''Billboar ...

handling vocal production. Morgan played the demo for Atlantic artist Brandy in front of her, Price, and Deric Angelettie for inclusion on Brandy's 1998 album, '' Never Say Never''. He later played it for Combs - who was working with

on their 1997 album, ''

''. Shortly after that, Morgan got a call from SWV's label, RCA Records. The A&R head at RCA wanted Morgan to participate on the album. Morgan initially refused - citing none of his songs being released as a single on SWV's previous album, ''New Beginning''. Morgan instead offered "Rain" to Brandy, but Atlantic Records passed on it - which was later given to SWV.

Covers

In July 2020, "Rain" was covered by the

indie rock Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the music they produc ...

group

Whitney Whitney may refer to: Film and television * ''Whitney'' (2015 film), a Whitney Houston biopic starring Yaya DaCosta * ''Whitney'' (2018 film), a documentary about Whitney Houston * ''Whitney'' (TV series), an American sitcom that premiered i ...

on their covers album, ''Candid.''

Track listing

US Promo # Rain (LP Version) 4:24 # Rain (Instrumental) 4:54 # Rain (A Cappella) 3:55 # Rain (Suggested Callout Hook) 0:13 US CD # Rain (LP Version) 4:25 # Lose Myself (LP Version) 4:38 UK CD # Rain (LP Version) 4:25 # Lose My Cool (Stoney's Pump Mix) 6:53 # Someone (Mosso House Radio Edit) 3:47

Charts

Year-end charts

References

1997 singles Music videos directed by Darren Grant SWV songs 1997 songs Songs written by Brian Alexander Morgan RCA Records singles Songs written by Jaco Pastorius Contemporary R&B ballads 1990s ballads Songs about weather {{1990s-R&B-song-stub