What Have They Done to the Rain
"What Have They Done to the Rain" is a song by Malvina Reynolds.
"What Have They Done To The Rain" | ||||
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Single by The Searchers | ||||
B-side | "This Feeling Inside" | |||
Released | November 1964 (UK); January 1965 (US) | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:33 | |||
Label | Pye 7N15739 (UK) Kapp 644 (USA) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Malvina Reynolds | |||
The Searchers singles chronology | ||||
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Composed in 1962 and first entitled "Rain Song", it was written as part of a campaign to stop nuclear testing in the atmosphere, which was producing fall-out.
The song was recorded by The Searchers, reaching number 29 on the U.S. charts and number 13 in the UK[1] in 1965. It has been recorded by many other artists including Esther & Abi Ofarim on their album That's Our Song (1965), who also recorded a version in French, "Tout est étrange sous la pluie", the same year,[2] The Seekers, Marianne Faithfull, Joan Baez (1962),[3] and Melanie.
The song was recorded by the composer and issued by Columbia on the 1967 album Malvina Reynolds Sings the Truth (reissued on CD by Omni in 2008).[4]
It was also covered by actress Lili Taylor in Nancy Savoca's film Dogfight.
References
- Paul Gabaccini, Tim Rice and Jo Rice: British Hit Singles, 7th Edition, Guinness Books, 1989, page 230.
- http://www.esther-ofarim.de/Disco.htm
- Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 19 - Blowin' in the Wind: Pop discovers folk music. [Part 2]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
- http://people.wku.edu/charles.smith/MALVINA/records.htm