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John Hiatt — Feels Like Rain
Album: Slow Turning
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1965









Released: 1988
Length: 4:46
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Down here the river, meets the sea
And in the sticky heat I feel ya' open up to me
Love comes out of nowhere baby, just like a hurricane
And it feels like rain
And it feels like rain

Lying here, underneath the stars right next to you
And I'm wondering who you are and
How do you do?
How do you do, baby?
The clouds roll in across the moon
And the wind howls out your name
And it feels like rain
And it feels like rain

We never going to make that bridge tonight baby
Across Lake Ponchartrain
And it feels like rain
And it feels like rain

So batten down the hatch baby
And leave your heart up your sleeve
It looks like we're in for stormy weather,
That ain't no cause for us to leave
Just lay here, in my arms
Let it wash away the pain
And it feels like rain
And it feels like rain
Comments (63)add comment
 flatop wrote:

I love the sound of that shitty amp that the lead guitar is played through.
Brilliant.



Yes, that!
 lizardking wrote:

+1 to 9 tonight, as this elicited a spontaneous slow-dance/make-out session with my lovely wife; Long Live RP!!



9->10 for me tonight. No making out required. But good for you guys! LLRP!
John Hiatt is an American Icon.  Amazing songwriter.
Adore this song.  It is a 10 on my list!  
+1 to 9 tonight, as this elicited a spontaneous slow-dance/make-out session with my lovely wife; Long Live RP!!
Good Song!
I love the sound of that shitty amp that the lead guitar is played through.
Brilliant.
Even though this is the original, Buddy Guy (with Bonnie Raitt on gnarly slide) kills this song. I rated them both 10, Hiatt for the song and Buddy for the rendition.
Criminally underrated. Songwriting up there with Prine, performing up there with the Guys (Buddy and Clarke) and the Kings (Albert and B.B.) A catalog deeper than most artists could ever hope for. He is the real deal.
c.
Reminds me of Rainy Night in Georgia. Not the melody, just the mood and the sound.
John’s style, cruises and caress me. And remind me of a slowed down, less pop music, and countrified. Both fellas are 10/10. For me! Cheers🦋
Exquisite.  10.  Amen.
I'm not sure how his voice could be criticized at all. It's the right voice for the songs that HE wrote. How could any other voice truly express his intent or match his original expression? Covers of his material are the interpretations of those respective artists, after the fact.
For some reason as I've gotten older the more I have connected with his music. It does something to my inner presence.
 h8rhater wrote:

I could happily live without hearing more crybaby whining about John Hiatt's singing voice again.  There are a number of great artists who have covered this track but none of them bring the passion to it more than the original himself.
 

If presented with the choice of:
A. Listening to a great singer present weak songs.
B. Listening to a shaky singer doing great songs.

Give me B every single time.
Saw  John at a free show at the Sonoma County Fair back about the time  Ridin' with the King came out. Outstanding show  made get his back catalog, and have gotten everything I could since. An American Music Icon and a helluva nice guy besides!
Although I know some of Hiatt's work (and love, Love, LOVE his work with Little Village), I don't think I've ever heard this song of his before.

Thanks, RP!  
Feels like rainy night's in Georgia..
I saw Mt Hiatt generally promote Slow Turning and Bring The Family at the Dominion Tottenham Court Road, I think in 1989.  It had been hypertension getting there: a late start, London traffic and parking, messy.   At last we are there and just in time to see the warm up act covering Riding With The King.  The only thing available to help unwind seemed to be expensive lager.  I bought four cans handed one to my wife and tried to settle down. It turned out to be alcohol free.  More moody.  Then Mr Hiatt kicked off.  For about two weeks afterwards I was walking round with the half baked expression of a Jehovah's witness - not fully engaged  and smiling a lot.  The gig was 'king astonishing. 
Not the biggest fan of JH...but this is just perfect.
I like this one Sounds cool
 h8rhater wrote:

I could happily live without hearing more crybaby whining about John Hiatt's singing voice again.  There are a number of great artists who have covered this track but none of them bring the passion to it more than the original himself.
 
Indeed, he owns THIS, his own song.  I have met people who can't stand his voice and I don't get it.  (Shall we talk Bob Dylan, for example.)
John Hiatt is one of the greats! He has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame but he full on needs to be in the rocknroll hall as well!
 ppopp wrote:
Feels like rain, sounds like locusts. This is a voice I could merrily live without hearing again.

 
I could happily live without hearing more crybaby whining about John Hiatt's singing voice again.  There are a number of great artists who have covered this track but none of them bring the passion to it more than the original himself.
 CCinSB wrote:
Saw the Master Buddy Guy do this Friday night! 

 
Nice! When I heard Buddy play this, it was at an outdoor venue, and it started sprinkling during the song...
Saw the Master Buddy Guy do this Friday night! 
What a treasure to American songwriting. I've been such a fan since the late 70s and Riding With the King.
 nancyt wrote:
Then there is the version by Aaron Neville. Does not get much better

 
Buddy Guy and Bonnie Raitt do a very good version,
it's such a good song that it even sounds good when I sing it,... (at least to me{#Propeller} )
Genius.
Then there is the version by Aaron Neville. Does not get much better
A long, long time ago, a younger me needed some positive life changes and this song/album came out of nowhere and washed away my pain. 
Spend a lifetime writing songs, and maybe (just maybe) you only write one great one. But it is truly a great one. Might all be worth it...
 TerryS wrote:

The more I hear of Sonny Landreth, the better he gets.

Edit: seen him twice now and looking forward to the next time he's in town.



 
I finally got to meet Sonny last year and by the expression on his face, I'm guessing he was thinking, "Why is this guy so excited to meet me?"  I don't care - a huge thrill for me!
 ppopp wrote:
Feels like rain, sounds like locusts. This is a voice I could merrily live without hearing again.

 

-1


most excellent song from J.H.
Feels like rain, sounds like locusts. This is a voice I could merrily live without hearing again.
Luscious, with perfection in that guitar. Easy 10.
this whole album is excellent
 musikluvr wrote:
Thanks to John Hiatt for his great songwriting. Buddy Guy with Bonny Raitt nails the best version to me, though.

 Have to agree.


Thanks to John Hiatt for his great songwriting. Buddy Guy with Bonny Raitt nails the best version to me, though.
Sublime.
 btt wrote:
From one of the very best albums . EVER .

 
+1
From one of the very best albums . EVER .
Ahh, John Hiatt's twanging emotional delivery always sends me.
Saw John & Sonny @ Jazz fest quite a few years ago and John & Lyle at the Alabama Theater a few years ago too.
And Bonnie…such rich music.  I'm always amazed at how much Susan Tedeschi sounds like Bonnie Raitt. 
Speaking of, how about some Tedeschi Trucks Band. 

The more I hear of Sonny Landreth, the better he gets.

Edit: seen him twice now and looking forward to the next time he's in town.


 Stratocaster wrote:
Buddy Guy did a bang-on cover of this, right down to the intro and guitar fills.

Not sure which one I like the best.  Although Bonnie Raitt's slide solo on Buddy's version makes a compelling argument in its favour.

Off to ponder this some more... {#Sunny} 

 
Sonny Landreth's slide on this original is awfully compelling in its own right. 

Bernie Leadon, of early Eagles fame, also appears on this album but I'm not sure if he is on this track.
 Dexwood wrote:
Saw Hiatt and Lyle Lovett last night. They shared the stage for an acoustic show, each taking turns singing and playing, occasionally joining in with each other. A fantastic 2.5 hour show. John did this song and it was great.

 
That sounds amazing. Where and when was this?
 
{#Heartkiss} 8>>>>>>>>>9
When Hiatt goes sad, it's REALLY sad. This one aches in the bone.
Saw Hiatt and Lyle Lovett last night. They shared the stage for an acoustic show, each taking turns singing and playing, occasionally joining in with each other. A fantastic 2.5 hour show. John did this song and it was great.
Great job when you can be compared to Buddy Guy......couldn't agree more ..... NICE
Most excellent.  Never was a big fan of Hiatt, but I must be maturing into it.  More please.  Very subtle. So bluesy.
 Cyclehawk wrote:
Pretty good song, but there are several on the album that I like better.  I'd give the album overall and 8 or 9... one of Hiatt's best.

 
"Several" that are better?  The whole album is fantastic.  Still one of my all time favorites.
Very nice!
I can't believe I've never heard this before! I'm in awe! Add it to my very looooooong list...an 8 right off the bat.
 Stratocaster wrote:
Buddy Guy did a bang-on cover of this, right down to the intro and guitar fills.

Not sure which one I like the best.  Although Bonnie Raitt's slide solo on Buddy's version makes a compelling argument in its favour.

Off to ponder this some more... {#Sunny} 
 
He did... Its a tough call.  I really like both versions.....
Wowzerss...me likey{#Cowboy}
Buddy Guy did a bang-on cover of this, right down to the intro and guitar fills.

Not sure which one I like the best.  Although Bonnie Raitt's slide solo on Buddy's version makes a compelling argument in its favour.

Off to ponder this some more... {#Sunny} 
This is an amazing playlist he is playing in light of the losses in CT.  Maybe it is just me.
Hiatt is a better sailor than Buddy Guy. He knows enough to "batten" down his hatch, whereas Buddy wants to "button" his down.
Sounds like this song borrows ta lot from the Temptations "I wish it would rain".
Pretty good song, but there are several on the album that I like better.  I'd give the album overall and 8 or 9... one of Hiatt's best.
My favorite song :)  thanks !

Honest and sincere performance. Love it !