Spring Rain (The Go-Betweens song)

"Spring Rain" is a song by the Australian alternative rock band The Go-Betweens that was released as the lead single from their fourth album Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express in 1986. The single was issued by Beggars Banquet in the UK and Truetone in Australia,[2] failing to chart in the UK, but reached number 92 in Australia.[3]

"Spring Rain"
Single by The Go-Betweens
from the album Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express
A-side"Spring Rain"
B-side"The Life At Hand"
Released1986
GenreRock, Pop[1]
Length3:05
LabelBeggars Banquet, True Tone
Songwriter(s)Grant McLennan, Robert Forster
Producer(s)Richard Preston, The Go-Betweens
The Go-Betweens singles chronology
"Bachelor Kisses"
(1984)		 "Spring Rain"
(1986)		 "Head Full of Steam"
(1986)

In the UK a 12" single was also released, with an extra b-side, "Little Joe".[4]

Details

Songwriter Robert Forster said the song was written when he was in London in his late twenties, looking back on a time when he was in his late teens and living in Brisbane suburbia. He said song reminded him of Creedence Clearwater Revival in, "just the music and the way that chorus is especially. And there’s a simplicity to it; a beauty to it. It’s one of those happy things where you really like something like a group and it might take you years and years and years till you write something in that vein and suddenly you see it."[5]

In 2016, Forster wrote, "Instead of labouring over lyrics, as had been my way, I wrote quickly, first thought best thought, taking Grant's example of delving into the past, to stop at eighteen.[1]

The song featured in the movies Something Wild and Kingpin but appeared on neither soundtrack CD.

Reception

Describing the song in AllMusic, it was said, "There's a gentle lope and swing as much breezy '60s pop as there is roots revival intensity" While the reviewer noted the oddly hollow drum sound, they concluded, "Forster's ear for a lyrical image (check the part talking about hanging one's elbow out of the window of a car) and the soaring chorus make this number a winner in the end."[6]

PopMatters described the song as, "a mid-tempo countrified tune featuring the strong give and take chorus from vocalists Robert Forster and Grant McLennan. Reeking of all the melody and infectious Brit, er, Aussie pop it’s capable of, it glides along without any need for tweaking."[7] Nick Reynolds from the BBC said, " the optimistic shuffle of "Spring Rain" [is] one of their finest moments."[8]

Track listing

All tracks are written by G. McLennan, R. Forster[9].

7" vinyl version
No.TitleLength
1."Spring Rain"3:05
2."The Life at Hand"2:53
Total length:5:58

All tracks are written by G. McLennan, R. Forster[9].

12" vinyl version
No.TitleLength
1."Spring Rain"3:05
2."The Life at Hand"2:53
3."Little Joe"3:24
Total length:9:22

Release history
Year Country Label Format Catalogue No.
1986 UK Beggars Banquet 7" single BEG 155
12" single BEG 155T
AUS True Tone 7" single 884 473-7

Personnel

Go-Betweens

References
  1. Robert Forster (2016). Grant & I. Penguin. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-6700782-2-6.
  2. "The Go-Betweens: Bachelor Kisses". Go-Betweens.org.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  4. "Go-Betweens, The -Spring Rain". Discogs. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  5. McGregor, Jody (3 September 2012). "The Go-Betweens Pt. 1: 'These Are Central Things To Me'". Mess & Noise. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  6. Raggett, Ned. "Spring Rain". allmusic. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  7. MacNeil, Jason (3 February 2005). "The GoBetweens 16 Lovers Lane / Tallulah / Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express". PopMatters. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  8. Reynolds, Nick. "The Go-Betweens Liberty Belle And The Black Diamond Express Review". BBC. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  9. ""Bachelor Kisses" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 4 May 2010.


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