“I Wish It Would Rain Down” by Phil Collins

“I Wish It Would Rain Down“ is a tune performed by British singer/songwriter Phil Collins. The lyrics of this track deal with the aftermath of a broken relationship. They focus mainly on the sadness the singer (Collins) feels as result of a breakup. From the lyrics, despite being fully aware that the relationship is completely over, the singer still clings on to it hopelessly.

Is the song autobiographical?

Collins has penned a number of famous songs with autobiographical lyrics over the years. However, it’s not clear whether this track is about an event (relationship) in Collins’ life or not. At least Collins has never said the lyrics are based on any relationship in his life. So, at this point, we can only say that the lyrics are purely fictional. At least until Collins comes out to say otherwise.

Phil Collins on “I Wish It Would Rain Down”

Over the years, Collins has made a number of statements about the song. For example, Collins once made a joke about the song saying that it was about a weather forecaster who always predicted it was going to rain but it never rained. Hence the famous phrase “I Wish It Would Rain Down”. And of course, it’s obvious this tune isn’t really about any weatherman. Neither is it about wrong weather predictions. It is purely a heartbreak song!

Facts about “I Wish It Would Rain Down”

Both the lyrics and music of this track were written by Phil Collins.

The song, which was the second single from Collins’ fourth solo studio album “…But Seriously”, was officially released on January 15, 1990 in the United Kingdom. It went on to become one of the most successful singles of his solo career.

The song was a major hit for Collins. It performed well on the charts. It reached the number one spot in Canada and Poland. On the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at positions 3 and 7 respectively.

This track spent a total of six weeks at position 1 on the Canadian Singles Chart in 1990. No song achieved that feat in Canada that year!

Despite this tune being one of Collins biggest solo hits, he rarely performs it live.

Legendary British singer/guitarist Eric Clapton played guitar on this track. According to Collins, during the recording of the song, he asked Clapton to play lead guitar on the song since he felt that the song was purely a “Clapton song”. Clapton jumped at the idea and did justice to the song. That brilliant lead guitar you hear throughout the song is the handiwork of Clapton. At the time of the collaboration, both musicians were very close friends.

This track wasn’t the first time Clapton and Collins had collaborated. For example, about a decade earlier, Clapton also played guitar on Collins’ “If Leaving Me Is Easy“.

In the song’s music video, Collins plays a character named Billy who dreams of becoming a mega star. The video stars noted American actor Jeffrey Tambor. It also stars Eric Clapton, bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Chester Thompson. Both Sklar and Thompson are long-time collaborators of Collins. The clip was directed by music video director Jim Yukich. Yukich made a name for himself directing several Phil Collins music videos.

The song’s music video, which has a length of 8:30, is in no way related to the theme of the lyrics of the song.

Collins played a number of instruments on the track. He played the drums, keyboards and tambourine.

Did “I Wish It Would Rain Down” win a Grammy?

No.

Did Collins include this track in the set list of his “Not Dead Yet” Tour?

This track wasn’t included in that tour’s set list.

Chart Success

The track topped charts in Canada and Poland.

It also appeared as a Top-10 hit in many countries, such as Belgium, Germany and Switzerland.