Make Me a Tree

BECAUSE I CAN, BITCH.

Ahem, sorry about that bit of rudeness. Got a little excited.

Since Austin has gotten gobs and gobs of rain over the last couple of days, I got to thinking about rainy day songs – what makes a song worthy of “saving for a rainy day,” which songs are my favorites. Of course, songs with the word “rain” or similar words in the title or chorus have a leg up, but there’s definitely a certain feel for rainy day music. Most of the time it’s calm and slow-paced, often it may actually sound like rain or running water. I mean, there are some fun exceptions – I’ve seen “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by The Scorpions on several rainy day song lists.

For the most part I prefer the more chill songs, a la Starbucks “Save It For a Rainy Day” album. But upbeat songs can also be good for digging you out of the depression that dreary weather often creates.

So today I would like to share with you my top favorite jams for a rainy day – ten songs, with a couple honorable mentions, but in no particular order beyond that.

1. “Rain” by Patty Griffin

Yeah, you can’t get much more rainy day than that. The song is called “Rain,” the music sounds like rain, and it’s sad. Also, it’s beautiful. Love Ms. Griffin.

2. “Apres Moi” by Regina Spektor

I won’t pretend I know what she’s saying during the Russian portion; I looked it up once, but I’ve long forgotten. I rather like it better without translation. Makes it seem more haunting.

3. “Tornado” by Jonsi

Really many songs by Jonsi would work for a rainy day playlist, but as “Tornado” was the first of his songs I heard, and well, tornado goes well with rain… I’ll go with this one.

4. “Elements” by Lindsey Stirling

Lindsey is a recent discovery of my husband’s and I jumped right on that bandwagon. She is fantastically talented. I could listen to this song all day, most every day, not just rainy days.

Also, you really need the video on this one.

(Also we’re going to see her when she comes to Austin in a couple of weeks! We’re both pretty stoked!)

5. “The Sun Will Rise” by Brendan James

Bonus! He also has a song called “Let It Rain.” Both of these are OH so good.

6. “When the Stars Go Blue” by Ryan Adams

Okay, so this one is straight off the Starbucks “Save It For a Rainy Day” album, but it’s probably my favorite song on the CD. Closely followed by Rufus Wainwright’s cover of “Across the Universe.”

and yes, I’m aware that Tim McGraw does a version of this song. I don’t even care which is the original. Mostly because I don’t care about Tim McGraw at all beyond a nostalgia for my sad, childhood love of country music.

Also, his cover of “Wonderwall” is totally swoon-worthy and so much better than the original in my opinion.

7. “Keep Breathing” and “The Chain” by Ingrid Michaelson

I couldn’t even decide between these two. There’s so much emotion invested in these songs when you get into them, too. I make the most ridiculous faces as I passionately sing “The Chain.” Like whoa.

8. “World Spins Madly On” by The Weepies

and of course, you would need to listen to “I Was Made For Sunny Days” once the rain passed. The Weepies have you covered either way.

9. “Holy, Holy, Holy” as done by Sufjan Stevens

I know this sounds odd, but please, just, do me a solid and give it a chance. If you are already familiar with Mr. Stevens, you already know that many of songs would be excellent rainy day tunes.

10. …okay, I’m gonna bombard you with a trio of classics on this one.

“Annie’s Song” by John Denver

“Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

“Fire and Rain” by James Taylor

Very honorable mentions include “Ashes and Wine” by A Fine Frenzy, “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones (all you Norah haters can just shut up and let me have this one – also, listen to “Chasing Pirates”, please!), pretty much anything by Yiruma, and, of course, “Umbrella” – take your pick of covers on that one: I’ll admit I like Glee’s “Umbrella” mash-up with “Singing in the Rain.”

…Basically, I have a playlist on Spotify and I tried to include SO many songs from that list. I still have many more excellent choices! Hence why I had two songs by one artist several times on this list.