Be The Rain

Album: Greendale (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the closing track from Greendale, a rock opera set in the fictional California seaside town of Greendale. It offers 10 songs with interlocking storylines about how the extended Green family is torn apart by the killing of their wealthy patriarch.
  • "Be The Rain" follows "Sun Green" where the titular character becomes an environmental activist in Alaska. It finds Neil Young visiting one of his most prominent themes as he criticizes the damage governments and large corporations are doing to "Mother Earth."
  • Young, drummer Ralph Molina, and bassist Billy Talbot recorded the song at Young's Broken Arrow Ranch in Redwood City, California. Molina recalled to Uncut magazine: "'Be The Rain' is one of the rockers on the album. Neil started playing, Billy and I jumped in, and then while we were recording my snare broke. It was about halfway through, but I didn't want to stop, so I kept playing. In the studio they had to add a little snare to it."
  • Young uses two mics taped together when playing this song on stage, one for his regular singing and one for the shouted parts – "Be the rain!"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.