Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain

Album: Rockin' With The Rhythm (1986)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title track of The Judds' Rockin' with the Rhythm album, this was released as its third single. The song became The Judds' seventh Country #1.
  • The song was penned by The Judds' producer Brent Maher with Nashville songwriter Don Schlitz (Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler", Keith Whitley's "When You Say Nothing At All").

    "'Rockin' With The Rhythm' was the first song I sat down and wrote with Don Schlitz," Maher recalled to Songwriter Universe. "I started playing a shuffle rhythm on my guitar, and Don said, 'I like that groove.' Then we started writing, and we got on a roll."

    "Within 45 minutes, the song was finished," he continued. "Don's grasp of lyric and the English language is just enormous. He's a very quick and prolific writer. And from that, Don and I wrote many songs together and we became dear friends."
  • The single debuted on the Country chart the same week that Gary Morris' "100% Chance Of Rain" dropped off the tally. Schlitz knew that rain-themed songs always hit the airwaves when the clouds opened up. "I've been very fortunate to write a couple rain songs," he told The Billboard Book Of #1 Country Hits.

    "The first song Brent Maher and I ever wrote together was 'Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain.' And Donny Lowery and I wrote a song for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, called 'Stand A Little Rain,' and if you see a couple of clouds in the sky, you can almost flip through your radio dial and hear one of those songs. I always pray for rain - it helps the airplay."
  • The song idea was based on a real-life scenario Maher often witnessed when he visited The Judds at their home in Franklin, Tennessee. He often pulled up to find them rocking on their front porch swing as the rain pattered on their tin awning.
  • Rockin' With The Rhythm is The Judds' second #1 album on the Country Albums chart. It sold 1 million copies in the US.

Comments: 1

  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaI like this song, the only problem I have is understanding some of the words. Love the guitar on it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.