Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”

I Wanna Know, Have You Ever Seen The Rain?

Written about the departure of Tom Fogerty from the band in 1971, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ stands out as one of the bands most recognized and loved songs over 40 years after its release! Although the song carries a sad connotation – a band wondering how they’d continue on without a founding member – if you ask John what his favorite CCR song is, his answer will always be this one!

This song is John Fogerty’s take on the imminent departure of his brother Tom from the band, and the overall tension in the group at a time when they should have been enjoying their success.

‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ sounds like pain feels – that dull ache that happens when a wound is just starting to heal, and it gives the song a new kind of meaning. John also spends the majority of the song asking other people for validation of his feelings – can anyone else who’s been through this tell me when I can expect to not feel quite so sad?

Whether he knew it at the time or not and despite trying to avoid dealing with the pain, ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ was John dealing with the pain!

+ Have You Ever Seen The Rain lyrics +

Someone told me long ago there’s a calm before the storm
I know, it’s been comin’ for some time
When it’s over, so they say, it’ll rain a sunny day
I know, shinin’ down like water

I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain
Comin’ down on a sunny day?

Yesterday and days before, sun is cold and rain is hard
I know, been that way for all my time
‘Til forever, on it goes through the circle, fast and slow
I know, it can’t stop, I wonder

I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain
Comin’ down on a sunny day?

Yeah, I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain
Comin’ down on a sunny day?