Keeps On A-Rainin'
Billie Holiday Lyrics


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One dark and stormy night
Big John was feeling blue
Ain't he didn't seem right
So he didn't know just what to do

I said do please tell me
Ain't you satisfied?
He looked around so pitiful
And to me he replied

Keeps on raining
Look how it's raining
Daddy he can't make no time

Wind keeps blowing
Howl wind's blowing
Soon I'll find

In the wintertime
When it starts to snow
I know, Billy
You've got to have some dough

Keeps on raining
Look how it's raining
Daddy, he can't make no time

Ain't the rain just beautiful?
Some people say
But I'd rather see it
In a fine movie place

Keeps on raining
Look how it's raining




Your daddy he can't make no time
No daddy, he can't make no time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Billie Holiday's song "Keeps on a Rainin" depict a man named Big John feeling low on a dark and stormy night. He seems lost and unsure of what to do, and when asked if he is satisfied, he reveals his troubles. The rain is pouring heavily, and the wind is howling, making it impossible for Daddy to make any time. Big John conveys his frustration with the weather and how it's affecting his life. He anticipates the snow in winter and acknowledges the need for money.


The song's lyrics and melody showcase the angst and turmoil one experiences when battling adversity. In a way, the rain and wind serve as metaphors for the challenges and obstacles one faces in life that prevent progress. They represent the obstacles that limit one's ability to move forward, overcome difficulties, and achieve success.


Line by Line Meaning

One dark and stormy night
The song starts with describing the setting of the night being dark and stormy which sets the tone for the rest of the song.


Big John was feeling blue
The character of Big John is introduced in a sad state of mind, which shows his feeling of being down.


Ain't he didn't seem right
Big John seems out of place and is feeling uncomfortable, which is emphasized by the repetition of 'ain't' and 'didn't'.


So he didn't know just what to do
The character is lost and confused, and does not know what steps to take to feel better.


I said do please tell me
The artist takes the initiative to ask Big John what is wrong.


Ain't you satisfied?
The singer inquires if Big John is happy or content with his current state of mind.


He looked around so pitiful
Big John's response to the singer's question is described as pitiful, or showing great sorrow.


And to me he replied
Big John responds to the artist's question, beginning his explanation of what is making him feel blue.


Keeps on raining
Big John is using the rain as a metaphor for his problems in life; the rain represents the never-ending troubles that keep affecting him.


Look how it's raining
By pointing out how it is raining outside, Big John is emphasizing the fact that his problems keep pouring down on him.


Daddy he can't make no time
The reference to 'Daddy' suggests that Big John is the sole breadwinner in his family and is struggling to provide for them. He is having trouble making income and putting his time to use due to his problems.


Wind keeps blowing
The wind blowing represents the forces that Big John cannot control impacting his life, adding to his already difficult situation.


Howl wind's blowing
By adding 'howl', Big John stresses how difficult these external forces are to deal with, emphasizing his struggle.


Soon I'll find
Big John is referring to a general feeling of uncertainty and fear that he will not be able to solve his problems despite his best efforts.


In the wintertime
The change of season suggests a time of change, and not necessarily for the better, it adds another layer of difficulty to the circumstance.


When it starts to snow
The arrival of snow is generally associated with holidays, but in this context, it represents added difficulties as this increases the challenges Big John is facing.


I know, Billy
The reference to 'Billy' suggests that the artist now shares the same fear and uncertainty, changing the dynamic of the song and creating a common ground for the characters.


You've got to have some dough
The need for money is implicit in this line, emphasizing how dire the situation has become.


Ain't the rain just beautiful?
As an almost direct contradiction of the earlier use of rain, the singer is suggesting that the rain, while it may seem torturous, is also a beautiful thing in its own right, suggesting some hope in difficult situations.


Some people say
This line acknowledges an alternate viewpoint of the rain, further emphasizing the contrast between the two, suggesting that there is beauty even in difficult moments.


But I'd rather see it
The artist chooses to see the beauty of the rain in the comfort of the movie theatre, in a more controlled environment, showing how the artist is trying to escape from difficulties.


In a fine movie place
The line suggests a yearning for escapism from the harsh reality and the need for a moment of peace away from the problems in their life.


Your daddy he can't make no time
The song ends like it started, with the same line highlighting the difficulties the character is facing.


No daddy, he can't make no time
The repetition of this line not only emphasizes the struggle but also the fact that this issue is ongoing and never-ending.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MAX KORTLANDER, SPENCER WILLIAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous


on As Time Goes By

As Time Goes By - Anna Nalick - Lyrics

You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by

And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you"
On that, you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by

Moonlight and love songs, never out of date
Hearts full of passion, jealousy, and hate
Woman needs man, and man must have his mate
That no one can deny

It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by

Musical Interlude

Moonlight and love songs, never out of date
Hearts full of passion, jealousy, and hate
Woman needs man, and man must have mate
That no one can deny

It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by

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