A Year Without Rain (song)

"A Year Without Rain" is a song by American band Selena Gomez & the Scene. It was written by Lindy Robbins and Toby Gad, with the latter also producing the song. The song was released on September 7, 2010 as the second and final single from the band's second album of the same name. A Spanish-language version of the song was also recorded, entitled "Un Año Sin Lluvia" [un ˈaɲo siɲ ˈʎuβja]. Gomez titled the album for the song because she wanted to base all the other songs around it. Musically, the song is a Eurodance track backed with a disco beat. In its lyrics, the song's protagonist compares yearning for her love to a year without rain.

"A Year Without Rain"
Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene
from the album A Year Without Rain
ReleasedSeptember 7, 2010 (2010-09-07)
RecordedMay 13, 2010
Genre
Length3:54
LabelHollywood
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Toby Gad
Selena Gomez & the Scene singles chronology
"Live Like There's No Tomorrow"
(2010)		 "A Year Without Rain"
(2010)		 "Who Says"
(2011)
Music video
"A Year Without Rain"
on YouTube
"Un Año Sin Lluvia"
on YouTube

Music critics gave the song positive reviews, complimenting it as a dance ballad and noting Gomez's vocal maturity. "A Year Without Rain" became the band's third consecutive top forty single in the United States and Canada. It also charted in the lower regions of some European countries. The song is certified Double Platinum in the US. The song's accompanying music video, directed by Chris Dooley and shot on-site in Lucerne Valley, California features Gomez frolicking in the desert surrounded by a swarm of photographs of her and her love interest, before they meet during a rainstorm. The band performed the song a number of times via live performances, including on televised programs such as Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and the 2011 People's Choice Awards.

Background and composition

In early 2010, a demo of the song, performed by singer RaVaughn leaked online. Becky Bain of Idolator called the song a "mature dance track" and said that it "wouldn’t entirely be out of place on a Sophie Ellis-Bextor album."[1] In an interview with MTV News, Gomez said that "A Year Without Rain" was the first song she recorded for the album.[2] She also explained why she named the album for the song, commenting, "I feel like that song has a lot of meaning, and it also kind of was the start of what I wanted to base all the other songs around."[2] A Spanish-language version of the song titled "Un Año Sin Lluvia" was released through the iTunes Store on October 26, 2010.[3]

"A Year Without Rain" was written by Lindy Robbins and Toby Gad, the later also producing it, with a length of three minutes and twenty-nine seconds.[4] Musically, it has been described as a dance track,[1] more especifically as Eurodance.[5] It has also been called a synth-pop[6] and electro track[7] which uses a standard pop structure and is backed with a disco beat.[4] According to sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, "A Year Without Rain" is set in common time and has a tempo of 120 beats per minute.[8] It is written in the key of C Mixolydian and follows the chord progression of C–Gm–Dm–F throughout most of the song, but the Bridge is written in D Minor, following a chord progression of Bb-C-Am-Dm.[8] It's important to mention that C Mixolydian and D Minor share the same key signature, so the musical notes of both modes are the same, but the tonic note is different.[8] Gomez's vocals in the song span from F3 to E5.[8] Lyrically, the song sees Gomez longing for the object of her affection and compares it to a year without rain: "I need you by my side/ Don't know how I'll survive/A day without you is like a year without rain."[4] According to Megan Vick of Billboard, the sound of the song contrasts with its "tender" lyrics.[4]

Reception

Critical reception

Although he called it one of the album's "pensive moments", Bill Lamb of About.com noted the track as one of the top songs on the album, calling it a "beautiful dance ballad."[9] Lamb also said the song shows "Selena Gomez is clearly growing up as an artist."[10] Stating that it showed her "maturation as an artist", Lamb later ranked the song number thirty-nine on the site's list of "Top 100 Pop Songs of 2010".[11] Allmusic's Tim Sendra also named the song a standout on the album, calling it "catchy" and "well-sung".[12] Megan Vick of Billboard said that while Gomez did not have the vocal power of Demi Lovato, she "makes a strong effort to attack the high notes as she croons the chorus".[4] Vick stated that the song "is compelling enough to separate the singer from other Disney-groomed pop stars."[4] Wairarapa Times-Age writer Kim Gillespie named "A Year Without Rain" one of the album's highlights.[13] David Welsh of musicOMH noted Gomez' mature performance and wrote that the song "reaps rewards with an impressively heartbroken stab at euro-dance".[5] In contrast, The Washington Post critic Allison Stewart was unfavorable of the lyrical content of the song, commenting that it was "the sort of exercise in teenage co-dependence...that should be long extinct."[14]

Chart performance

Propelled by its debut at number fourteen on the Hot Digital Songs chart, "A Year Without Rain" debuted at number thirty-five on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the group's third consecutive top forty single.[15] It remained on the chart for four weeks.[15] On the week dated January 1, 2011, the song debuted at number thirty-six on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.[16] As of August 2014, the song has sold 1,002,000 downloads in the US.[17]

The song achieved greater success in Canada, peaking at thirty on the Canadian Hot 100.[18] The song also appeared on numerous European charts, peaking at seventy-eight in the United Kingdom,[19] fifty-six in Germany,[20] and forty-one in Slovakia.[21] It also reached number three on the Belgian Flanders Tip chart.[22]

Music videos

The music video, directed by Chris Dooley, was shot on location in Lucerne Valley, California.[23] It premiered on September 3, 2010 on Disney Channel, following the premiere of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam and a sneak peek of Fish Hooks.[23][24] The video starts off with the band driving through the desert in a red convertible. Gomez removes a photograph from the sun visor, which is subsequently blown away by the wind. The chorus commences as the band disappears and Gomez steps out of the vehicle, wearing a dress and begins to sing. As the video progresses, a multitude of photographs of her relationship fall from the sky, as Gomez travels elegantly through the desert. During the bridge, it starts to rain as Gomez spots her love interest (Niko Pepaj) in the distance. The two begin to walk towards each other, and the video ends as they meet and hold hands.

Nadine Cheung of AOL JSYK said "She sings: 'I'm missing you so much / Can't help it, I'm in love / A day without you is like a year without rain' and that's really what's depicted in a simple and sweet way."[25]

A Spanish version ("Un Año Sin Lluvia") of the video was released on November 19 on Vevo.[26]

Live performances

The band first performed the song on September 22, 2010 on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[27] The band performed the song on Good Morning America on September 23, 2010.[27] On November 16, 2010, the band performed the song on Lopez Tonight, and they performed it on Live with Regis and Kelly on December 1, 2010.[28] They performed the song at the 2011 People's Choice Awards on January 5, 2011, and afterwards were awarded the Choice award for Favorite Breakout Artist.[29] Gomez appeared on stage accompanied by low lights and fog.[29] Kara Warner of MTV News commented, "Although it wasn't a stadium-rocking performance à la Lady Gaga or Katy Perry, Gomez powered through her pop song with a sense of earnestness and commitment. She didn't even miss a beat when her earpiece appeared to fall out mid-song." The song was also performed during the "We Own the Night Tour".[29]

Formats and track listings
  • Germany CD single[30]
  1. "A Year Without Rain" – 3:54
  2. "A Year Without Rain" (Starlab Radio Edit) – 3:41
  • Digital download[31]
  1. "A Year Without Rain" – 3:55
  • UK promo CD
  1. "A Year Without Rain" – 3:54
  2. "A Year Without Rain" (Instrumental) – 3:54

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from A Year Without Rain album liner notes.[32]

  • Selena Gomez – lead vocals
  • Lindy Robbins – songwriting
  • Robert Vosgien – mastering
  • Toby Gad – songwriting, production, mixing, arrangement, recording & instruments

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result
2011 MuchMusic Video Awards [33] "International Video of the Year" "A Year Without Rain" Nominated
"UR FAVE International Artist" Nominated

Charts and certifications

Release history
Region Date Format
Canada[40] September 7, 2010 Digital download
United States[41]
Australia[42] September 17, 2010
Belgium[43]
Denmark[44]
Finland[45]
France[46]
New Zealand[31]
Portugal[47]
Spain[48]
Sweden[49]
Switzerland[50]
Germany[30] November 12, 2010 CD single
United Kingdom[51] November 22, 2010
Taiwan October 24, 2010 Digital download

See also
  • List of number-one dance singles of 2011 (U.S.)

References
  1. Bain, Becky. "Selena Gomez Goes "A Year Without Rain" On New Dance Track — Hear A Demo". Idolator. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  2. Vena, Jocelyn (2010-09-21). "Selena Gomez Says Fans Inspired A Year Without Rain". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  3. "Un Año Sin Lluvia (Spanish Version) – Single by Selena Gomez & The Scene". iTunes Store Mexico. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  4. Vick, Megan (2010-10-01). "Selena Gomez & The Scene, "A Year Without Rain"". Billboard. New York City: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  5. Welsh, David. "Selena Gomez & The Scene – A Year Without Rain". musicOMH. Archived from the original on 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  6. "Selena Gomez brings pop sparkle to RodeoHouston". Houston Rodeo. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  7. "Selena Gomez: Next Steps". Apple Music, iTunes (US).
  8. "Selena Gomez – A Year Without Rain – Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  9. Lamb, Bill. "Selena Gomez and the Scene - A Year Without Rain". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  10. Lamb, Bill (2010-09-06). "Selena Gomez "A Year Without Rain" Video Introduces Elegant Dance Ballad". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  11. Lamb, Bill. "Top 100 Pop Songs of 2010 - List of the 100 Best Songs of the Year". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  12. Sendra, Tim. "A Year Without Rain – Selena Gomez & the Scene". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  13. Gillespie, Kim (2010-11-19). "Album Review: A Year Without Rain – Selena Gomez & The Scene". Wairarapa Times-Age. APN News & Media. Archived from the original on 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  14. Stewart, Allison (2010-09-21). "Album review: Selena Gomez, "A Year Without Rain"". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Archived from the original on 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  15. "Selena Gomez Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  16. "Selena Gomez Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  17. Trust, Gary (August 19, 2014). "Ask Billboard: Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith & Charli XCX Are Seeing Double". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.
  18. "Selena Gomez & The Scene Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  19. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  20. "Offiziellecharts.de – Gomez, Selena & The Scene – A Year Without Rain (2-track)". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  21. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201045 into search.
  22. Hickey, Dara. "Single Review: Selena Gomez & The Scene – 'A Year Without Rain'". Unreality Shout. Archived from the original on 2010-11-30. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  23. "Disney Channel to Present Premiere of Selena Gomez & The Scene's Music Video "A Year Without Rain," Friday, September 3" (Press release). Disney Channel. 2010-08-27. Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  24. Vena, Jocelyn. "Selena Gomez's 'A Year Without Rain' Video Premieres September 3". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  25. Cheung, Nadine (2010-09-06). "Selena Gomez Gets Soaked In Her 'A Year Without Rain' Video". AOL JSYK. AOL. Archived from the original on 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  26. "Selena Gomez & the Scene – Un Año Sin Lluvia". YouTube.
  27. Rosario, Mariela (2010-09-21). "Selena Gomez's New Album "A Year Without Rain" Drops Today!". Latina. Latina Media Ventures. Archived from the original on 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  28. "Selena Gomez Really Has Had a Year Without Rain". Lopeztonight.com. Turner Broadcasting System. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22.
  29. Warner, Kara (2011-01-05). "Selena Gomez Wows People's Choice Awards With 'A Year Without Rain'". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  30. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Germany)" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved 2010-10-24.
  31. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (New Zealand)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  32. A Year Without Rain (booklet). Selena Gomez. Hollywood. 2010. D000462502.CS1 maint: others (link)
  33. Hickman, Angela (May 17, 2011). "MuchMusic Video Award nominations: The full list". National Post. Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  34. "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 2017-01-20". imgur.com. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  35. "Ultratop.be – Selena Gomez & The Scene – A Year Without Rain" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  36. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201047 into search.
  37. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved Oct 13, 2011.
  38. "American single certifications – Selena Gomez & The Scene – A Year Without Rain". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 12, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  39. "Best of 2011: Dance/Club Songs (31–40)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  40. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Canada)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  41. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  42. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Australia)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  43. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Belgium)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  44. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Denmark)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  45. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Finland)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  46. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (France)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-28.
  47. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Portugal)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  48. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Spain)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  49. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Sweden)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  50. "A Year Without Rain – Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Switzerland)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  51. "A Year Without Rain: Selena Gomez". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-11-13.

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