Peak
4
Weeks
14
Score
2,871
Chart Year
1968
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The lyrics of this mournful song about a heartbroken man whose woman had just left him were penned by Motown staff writer Roger Penzabene. The lyricist had just learnt that his wife was cheating on him and in his sorrow and pain, Penzabene penned both this and its follow-up "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)." Tragically the distraught Penzabene committed suicide barely a week after the single's release. Many artists have covered this song, including Gladys Knight & the Pips (whose version went to #41 in the US), Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, The Faces (whose 1973 version, which was a double A-sided single along with "Pool Hall Richard," peaked at #8 in the UK), and Bruce Springsteen for his 2022 covers album, Only the Strong Survive.
Hmm hmm Sunshine, blue skies, please go away A girl has found another and gone away With her went my future, my life is filled with gloom So day after day I stay locked up in my room I know to you, it might sound strange But I wish it would rain, oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah 'Cause so badly I wanna go outside (such a lovely day) But everyone knows that a man ain't supposed to cry Listen, I gotta cry 'cause crying eases the pain, oh yeah People this hurt I feel inside Words could never explain, I just wish it would rain, oh let it rain, rain, rain, rain, ooo baby Let it rain, oh yeah, let it rain Day in day out my tear-stained face Pressed against the window pane My eyes search the skies desperately for rain 'Cause rain drops will hide my tear drops And no one will ever know that I'm crying Crying when I go outside To the world outside my tears I refuse to explain, ooo I wish it would rain, ooh, baby Let it rain, let it rain I need rain to disguise the tears in my eyes Oh, let it rain Oh yeah, yeah, listen I'm a man and I got my pride 'Til it rains I'm gonna stay inside, let it rain
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 13, 1968 | 56 | 70 |
| 2 | Jan 20, 1968 | 45 | 81 |
| 3 | Jan 27, 1968 | 15 | 111 |
| 4 | Feb 3, 1968 | 10 | 116 |
| 5 | Feb 10, 1968 | 6 | 120 |
| 6 | Feb 17, 1968 | 4 | 122 |
| 7 | Feb 24, 1968 | 4 | 122 |
| 8 | Mar 2, 1968 | 4 | 122 |
| 9 | Mar 9, 1968 | 5 | 121 |
| 10 | Mar 16, 1968 | 6 | 120 |
| 11 | Mar 23, 1968 | 20 | 106 |
| 12 | Mar 30, 1968 | 22 | 104 |
| 13 | Apr 6, 1968 | 33 | 93 |
| 14 | Apr 13, 1968 | 50 | 76 |