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From album
…But Seriously
Phil Collins · 1989 · Track 6
Details
Duración5:27
Álbum…But Seriously
Año1989
ISRCUSRH11602149
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The story behind
The first time Phil Collins approached a sound he felt was close to the blues was with I Wish It Would Rain Down. This song, released in January 1990, marked a turning point in his solo career, moving away from the dance-pop style of his previous album, No Jacket Required, to explore more serious themes and a sound with greater depth. Eric Clapton's collaboration on lead guitar is fundamental to understanding the song's atmosphere. Collins recalls telling Clapton: "Eric, haven't I ever asked you to play? Come on, I've got a song just for you!". The presence of a gospel choir also adds a distinctive layer to the production.
Recorded as part of his fourth album, ...But Seriously, released in November 1989, I Wish It Would Rain Down became a major commercial success. It reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and remained at the top of the Canadian charts for six weeks, becoming the most successful song of 1990 in that country. It also featured in the Top 10 in the UK and Belgium. The music video, filmed in black and white, presents a narrative that parodies the film Gone with the Wind, with Collins playing a character named Billy who dreams of being a star. In the video, a reference is made to Collins' trajectory with Genesis, where he went from drummer to lead vocalist. The album's production, which included Hugh Padgham, aimed to address more reflective themes, and I Wish It Would Rain Down became one of the most prominent examples of that intention.