"Kiss the Rain" is a song by British singer-songwriter Billie Myers from her debut album, Growing, Pains (1997). Produced by Desmond Child, the song was released on 25 August 1997 as the lead single from the album by Universal Records. Myers co-wrote it with Child and Eric Bazilian, and also recorded a Spanish version titled "Besa la lluvia (Piensa en mí)" ("Kiss the Rain (Think of Me)"). The song charted at number four on the UK Singles Chart and became an international hit, reaching number two in Canada and number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100. There are two different versions of the music video for the song.

Background Desmond Child, who produced the album, got the idea for the title after hearing the Bush song "Glycerine". Child misheard the title as "Kiss the Rain". When he was told the correct title, he decided to use "Kiss the Rain" for a future song. While he was working out at the gym with Jon Bon Jovi, Child excitedly telling the singer that "Kiss the Rain" was a great tune with a great title — only to be told that he had totally whiffed on the name of the song. Child thought the misheard lyric made for an "incredibly fresh" title and asked Bon Jovi if he wanted to write a song called "Kiss the Rain." But since Bon Jovi thought the idea was "stupid," Child decided to save it for Myers, whom he was already working with at the time.

Critical reception Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "The gripping, acoustic sounds of the track's mood-setting guitar makes the palpable echoes of Billie Myers' voice really stand out." He noted further, "In fact, the chaotic, ever-sure echo full of Myers' emotions charmingly reaches the audience and has a lasting effect. The drum beats wonderfully complement the compelling guitar sounds. This wonderful single [...] is full of depth, emotion, and musical clarity". Joe Jackson from Irish Times noted "her witty, slightly left-of-field lyrics."Jackson, Joe (29 May 1998). "Rock/Pop". Irish Times.

A reviewer from Music Week said, "It's easy to see the crossover appeal of Billie Myers. She's successfully married her distinctive soulful voice and strong presence to a trendy soft-rock backing. The song has a strong chorus, but if anything is a little formulaic." In a separate review, the magazine also complimented its "melancholic beauty". Gerald Martinez from New Sunday Times stated that "her arresting voice immediately makes the song a bit special." He described it as "a song of jealousy and insecurity and vulnerability, over a long-distance lover."

Music video There were two different music videos produced for "Kiss the Rain"; one for the US market, directed by Matt Mahurin, and another for the European market, directed by David Betteridge. Myers told in an interview, "I wasn't entirely happy with the American video and didn't feel it was quite right for Europe. When you work with some video directors they forget that when someone writes a song they have a vision. The new European promo reflects the real me far more accurately."

Track listings

UK CD single "Kiss the Rain" (radio edit) – 4:09 "Kiss the Rain" (album version) – 4:30 "Kiss the Rain" (unplugged) – 7:23 "Sleeping Beauty" – 3:57

UK cassette single "Kiss the Rain" (radio edit) – 4:09 "Kiss the Rain" (album version) – 4:30

US 7-inch single A. "Kiss the Rain" B. "Tell Me"

US, Australian, and Japanese CD single "Kiss the Rain" "The Shark and the Mermaid"

Italian 12-inch maxi-single A1. "Kiss the Rain" (dance mix) – 5:28 A2. "Kiss the Rain" (radio mix) – 3:52 A3. "Kiss the Rain" (original version) – 4:30 B1. "Kiss the Rain" (TP2K club remix) – 7:52 B2. "Kiss the Rain" (Urban Discharge Trippy dub) – 7:55

Personnel Personnel are adapted from the US CD single liner notes. Billie Myers – vocals, background vocals, writing Eric Bazilian – background vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drum programming, writing Desmond Child – background vocals, writing Randy Cantor – organ Kenny Aronoff – drums and percussion

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1997–1998)PeakpositionEstonia (Eesti Top 20) 5Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 24Europe (European Hit Radio) 7Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 20Italy (Musica e dischi) 12Italy Airplay (Music & Media) 2Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) 4Netherlands Airplay (Music & Media)14 Airplay (Music & Media) 7Spain Airplay (Top 40 Radio) 10UK Airplay (Music Week) 2

Year-end charts Chart (1998)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM) 22Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) 28UK Singles (OCC) 87UK Airplay (Music Week) 35US Billboard Hot 100 46US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) 27US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 33

Certifications

Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United States25 August 1997Alternative radio26 August 1997Contemporary hit radio23 September 1997Japan21 February 1998CDUniversalUnited Kingdom30 March 1998

References