Who'll Stop The Rain
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Long as I remember
The rain been falling down
Clouds of myst'ry pourin'
Confusion on the ground

Good men through the ages
They try to find the sun
But I wonder, still I wonder
Who'll stop the rain

I went down virginia
Seekin' shelter from the storm
Just caught up in the fable
I watched the tower grow
Five-year plan and new deals
Wrapped in golden chains
Still I wonder, yes I wonder
Who'll stop the rain

Heard the singers playin'
How we cheered for more
The crowd had rushed together
Tryin' to keep warm
Still the rain keeps falling
Fallin' through the years

And I wonder, still I wonder




Who'll stop the rain
I wanna know, baby I wanna know

Overall Meaning

Bruce Springsteen's "Who'll Stop The Rain" is a commentary on the disillusionment and confusion that came with the Vietnam War. The opening lines "long as I remember, the rain been falling down" allude to the constant state of turmoil the country was in during that time period. The "mystery clouds" and "confusion on the ground" are metaphors for the political and social upheaval that was happening in the United States. Despite the efforts of "good men through the ages" to find peace and stability, the constant rain symbolizes the ongoing struggle to achieve it.


The second verse tells a story about seeking refuge in Virginia from the storm. But even in this fable-like world, the golden chains of new deals and five-year plans are unable to stop the rain, leaving the singer to ponder yet again, "who'll stop the rain?" The third verse describes a music festival, where the crowd tries to keep warm as the rain falls relentlessly year after year. The constant rain becomes a metaphor for the lingering feelings of hopelessness and uncertainty that many felt during that time.


Overall, "Who'll Stop The Rain" is a reflection on the confusion and disillusionment of a generation that faced an unprecedented time of violence, war and social unrest.


Line by Line Meaning

Long as I remember
As far back as I can recall


The rain been falling down
It has always been raining


Clouds of myst'ry pourin'
Obscure and confusing circumstances abound


Confusion on the ground
Uncertainty and disturbance everywhere


Good men through the ages
Honorable individuals throughout history


They try to find the sun
They endeavor to find brighter times


But I wonder, still I wonder
Despite their efforts, I am still uncertain


Who'll stop the rain
Who can put an end to these troubles?


I went down virginia
I traveled to Virginia


Seekin' shelter from the storm
In search of a place to protect me from the tempest


Just caught up in the fable
I was lost in a narrative


I watched the tower grow
I observed a structure being erected


Five-year plan and new deals
An agenda for the next five years and new agreements


Wrapped in golden chains
Bound by irresistible, yet ultimately harmful, promises


Still I wonder, yes I wonder
Even so, I remain curious


Who'll stop the rain
Who can halt this unceasing deluge of issues?


Heard the singers playin'
Listened to the musicians performing


How we cheered for more
We expressed our delight and asked for encore


The crowd had rushed together
The mass of people had come close to each other


Tryin' to keep warm
Attempting to remain cozy in the chilly atmosphere


Still the rain keeps falling
However, the downpour continues


Fallin' through the years
Continuing all along these years


And I wonder, still I wonder
Once again, I am inquisitive


Who'll stop the rain
Who can bring an end to this never-ending downfall?


I wanna know, baby I wanna know
I am truly interested in finding out




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glenn Gregory, Ian Marsh, Martyn Ware

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

masterofthetelecast

One of my favourite songs of CCR. Fits to the wheather in Sweden there. Bruce is the champion of creating sentimental intros for songs. And one more he makes it brillant to come into this song and makes a very special version out of it here - great. Pretty guitar distortion sound by the way. And this short song has some remarkable moments I want to write about subsequently. Bruce even misses to come timely into the changeover following after the second refrain. The band keeps on playing the original timeline of the changeover at 4:40 and he plays on his riffchords and the band members look at him for the starting of the changeover, especially the drummer and Stevie. So finally Stevie gives the sign to the drummer for starting the changeover at 4:48. And then look at Stevie`s facial expression and look to Bruce at 4:54 - that`s talent for acting and very funny! That could mean - okay, our boss blew it for whatever reason, but we are the big boys and put it in order for him and nobody smelled a rat! When Bruce then goes back to the microphone, he looks a bit ashamed for a second. And the final facial expression belongs to Stevie at 6:08. Could probably mean - not half bad as suspected! Funny again! Thanks for posting.

valmir camilo

Fantástica essa energia q o Bruce coloca nos seus shows.

Ira Futterman

Bruce is Boss!

valmir camilo

@Ira Futterman Yes.

anella d'ambrosio

@valmir camilo ciao amico!🙋😍😘💘🍀

Janice Ellery

Unlike other rock artists, Bruce has remained down to earth and relatable. It's almost like you could run him in a diner and have a regular conversation with him 😀

David Anderson

Aside from ticket prices. They're outrageous today. The blue collar guy he embraces can't go.

Kranken Signs

Not to many artists can cover that sone and keep all the emotrions and feelings ...the Boss can !!!

Natalie Johnston

I really love this version, especially Roy's piano in the background. Truly stunning.

Mr. LANZ TV

Very nice one Bruce! Please come to the Philippines.

More Comments

More Versions