Because of Rain
| "Because of Rain" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Nat "King" Cole | ||||
| A-side | "Song of Delilah" "Because of Rain" | |||
| Released | 1951 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Nat "King" Cole singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio | ||||
| "Because of Rain" on YouTube | ||||
| "Because of Rain" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Ella Fitzgerald | |
| B-side | "The Chesapeake and Ohio" |
| Released | 1951 |
| Label | Decca |
| Songwriters | |
| Audio | |
| "Because of Rain" on YouTube | |
"Because of Rain" is a song that was a minor hit for Nat "King" Cole in 1951.
Writing and composition
The song was written by Nat "King" Cole's old friend Ruth Poll. Cole is credited as a composer.
Releases and critical reception
Nat "King" Cole version
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Jazz Hot | no rating |
Nat "King" Cole recorded his version for Capitol with Les Baxter and his orchestra. For a single release, it was coupled with "Song of Delilah" (inspired by Cecil B. DeMille's film Samson and Delilah).
The French Jazz Hot magazine viewed both sides negatively, writing: "We regret that Nat indulges in such displays that have only a distant connection to jazz." Nevertheless, the magazine noted that "King Cole will always be King Cole" and concluded: "Those who love King Cole's voice—and they are legion—will acquire this record solely for their idol."
Ella Fitzgerald version
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Billboard | 82/100 |
| Cash Box | favorable |
Ella Fitzgerald recorded her version for Decca with Sy Oliver and his orchestra.
Billboard reviewed her single (Decca 27602, coupled with "The Chesapeake and Ohio") on 26 May 1951, rating the side 85 ("excellent") on a scale of 1 to 100 for disk jockeys and 82 ("excellent") overall and writing: "Ella delivers a beautifully sensitive reading of an attractive new ballad. A wonderfully warm and intimate job which is bound to find buyers."
Cash Box reviewed the single as well, writing of "Because of Rain": "Ella shows up her most commercial side in years [...] Ella brings her unique phrasing to this ballad and highlights everything that's in it."
Charts
| Chart (1951) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Most Played Juke Box Records | 17 |
References
- 1 2 Friedwald, Will (3 April 2020). Straighten up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-088205-1.
- 1 2 "Most Played Juke Box Records". Billboard. 7 July 1951.
- ↑ David, Norman (30 March 2004). The Ella Fitzgerald Companion. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-0-313-31645-6.
... lists Nat King Cole as one of the composers, [...] Oliver's gentle arrangement opens with a bass clarinet droning a rich pedal tone, ...
- 1 2 "Jazz hot". Jazz hot. 1952. p. 42.
- 1 2 "Record reviews". Billboard. 26 May 1951. p. 84.
- 1 2 Bergsman, Steve (30 October 2023). What a Difference a Day Makes: Women Who Conquered 1950s Music. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1-4968-4896-3.
- ↑ "Billboard". 19 May 1951.
