"Spring Rain" is a song by the Australian alternative rock band The Go-Betweens that was released as the lead single from their fourth album '' Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express'' in 1986. The single was issued by

Beggars Banquet ''Beggars Banquet'' is the 7th British and 9th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 6 December 1968 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom and London Records in the United States. It was the first Ro ...

in the UK and Truetone in Australia, failing to chart in the UK, but reached number 92 in Australia. In the UK a 12" single was also released, with an extra b-side, "Little Joe".

Details

Songwriter Robert Forster said the song was written when he was in London in his late twenties, looking back on a time when he was in his late teens and living in Brisbane suburbia. He said song reminded him of

Creedence Clearwater Revival Creedence Clearwater Revival, also referred to as Creedence and CCR, was an American rock band formed in El Cerrito, California. The band initially consisted of lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter John Fogerty; his brother, ...

in, "just the music and the way that chorus is especially. And there’s a simplicity to it; a beauty to it. It’s one of those happy things where you really like something like a group and it might take you years and years and years till you write something in that vein and suddenly you see it." In 2016, Forster wrote, "Instead of labouring over lyrics, as had been my way, I wrote quickly, first thought best thought, taking Grant's example of delving into the past, to stop at eighteen. The song featured in the movies '' Something Wild'' and ''

Kingpin Kingpin or king pin may refer to: Vehicular part * Kingpin (automotive part), the pivot in the steering mechanism ** The central bolt of a skateboard, axle assembly ("truck"), around which the rest of the mechanism can flex, allowing the rider ...

'' but appeared on neither soundtrack CD.

Reception

Describing the song in AllMusic, it was said, "There's a gentle lope and swing as much breezy '60s pop as there is roots revival intensity" While the reviewer noted the oddly hollow drum sound, they concluded, "Forster's ear for a lyrical image (check the part talking about hanging one's elbow out of the window of a car) and the soaring chorus make this number a winner in the end." PopMatters described the song as, "a mid-tempo countrified tune featuring the strong give and take chorus from vocalists Robert Forster and Grant McLennan. Reeking of all the melody and infectious Brit, er, Aussie pop it’s capable of, it glides along without any need for tweaking." Nick Reynolds from the BBC said, " the optimistic shuffle of "Spring Rain" sone of their finest moments." '' RAM'' noted Forster's "fractured vocals lending an air of casualness to the jaunty rhythm and straight verse line".

Track listing

Release history

Personnel

Go-Betweens

* Robert Forster — vocals, guitar * Grant McLennan — vocals, guitar * Lindy Morrison — drums * Robert Vickers — bass

References

{{The Go-Betweens 1986 singles The Go-Betweens songs 1986 songs Beggars Banquet Records singles Songs written by Grant McLennan Songs written by Robert Forster (musician)