"Certainly, I was talking about Washington when I wrote the song, but I remember bringing the master version home and playing it. My son Josh was four years old at the time, and after he heard it, he said, 'Daddy, stop the rain.' My wife and I looked at each other and said, 'Well, not quite.'"
During a 2007 concert, he added:
"This next song has a bit of a fable surrounding it. A lot of folks seem to think I sang this song at Woodstock way back when. No, I was at Woodstock 1969... I think. It was a nice event. I’m a California kid. I went up there and saw a whole bunch of really nice young people. Hairy. Colorful. It started to rain, and got really muddy, and then (yelling) half a million people took their clothes off! (Normal voice again) Boomer generation making its presence known, I guess. Anyway, then I went home and wrote this song."
Who'll Stop the Rain
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clouds of mystery pourin' confusion on the ground
Good men through the ages tryin' to find the sun
And I wonder, still I wonder
Who'll stop the rain
I went down Virginia seekin' shelter from the storm
Caught up in the fable, I watched the tower growFive year plans and new deals wrapped in golden chains
And I wonder, still I wonder
Who'll stop the rain
Heard the singers playin', how we cheered for more
Crowd had rushed together tryin' to keep warm
Still the rain kept pourin', fallin' on my ears
And I wonder, still I wonder
Who'll stop the rain
The lyrics to Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Who'll Stop the Rain" is a reflection of the confusion and disillusionment felt by many during the Vietnam War era. The rain, a symbol of the war, has been coming down for as long as the singer can remember and has created a cloud of mystery, pouring confusion on the ground. The good men throughout history has been trying to find the sun, which can be interpreted as a search for peace and clarity amidst the chaos of war. The singer wonders who will be able to stop this rain, who will be able to bring an end to the war and its destructive effects.
The second verse is more personal, with the singer seeking shelter from the storm in Virginia but getting caught up in a fable as he watches the tower grow. The five-year plans and new deals wrapped in golden chains can be interpreted as the promises of a better tomorrow, but they are ultimately empty and meaningless. The singer still wonders who will be able to stop the rain, who will be able to bring an end to the broken promises and false hope.
The final verse describes a scene where the crowd is cheering for more during a concert, but the rain keeps pouring down, falling on the singer's ears. It shows how even in moments of entertainment and joy, the war still looms and affects everyone. The singer still wonders who will be able to stop the rain, who will be able to bring an end to the war and its lingering effects.
Overall, "Who'll Stop the Rain" is a powerful anti-war song that speaks to the larger human struggle for peace and hope amidst chaos and confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Long as I remember the rain been comin' down
The rain has been a constant presence in my life for as long as I can remember.
Clouds of mystery pourin' confusion on the ground.
The uncertainty and chaos caused by the rain clouds is making it difficult to navigate life.
Good men through the ages tryin' to find the sun.
Throughout history, many honorable people have attempted to overcome difficult times.
And I wonder still I wonder who'll stop the rain.
Despite the efforts of many, I am still unsure if anyone will be able to put an end to the struggles that we face.
I went down Virginia seekin' shelter from the storm
I traveled to Virginia hoping to escape the tumultuous weather.
Caught up in the fable I watched the tower grow
While I was there, I became enthralled in a story that seemed too good to be true.
Five year plans and new deals wrapped in golden chains.
There were promises of grand plans and lucrative opportunities, but they ultimately had strings attached.
And I wonder still I wonder who'll stop the rain.
Despite the distractions and promises, I am still uncertain if anyone can help us find a solution to our problems.
Heard the singers playin', how we cheered for more.
We found solace in music as we cried out for more of the good things in life.
The crowd had rushed together tryin' to keep warm.
We banded together in an attempt to find comfort and find strength in one another.
Still the rain kept pourin', fallin' on my ears
Despite our efforts, the troubles persisted and continued to weigh heavily on us.
And I wonder, still I wonder who'll stop the rain.
As the rain falls around us, we still seek someone to help us overcome our struggles.
Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: John C. Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brianshepherd9740
Long as I remember
The rain been coming down
Clouds of mystery pouring
Confusion on the ground
Good men through the ages
Trying to find the sun
And I wonder
Still I wonder
Who'll stop the rain?
I went down Virginia
Seeking shelter from the storm
Caught up in the fable
I watched the tower grow
Five-year plans and new deals
Wrapped in golden chains
And I wonder
Still I wonder
Who'll stop the rain?
Heard the singers playing
How we cheered for more
The crowd had rushed together
Trying to keep warm
Still the rain kept pouring
Falling on my ears
And I wonder
Still I wonder
Who'll stop the rain?
@flintsyta1160
Long as I remember,
The rain been comin' down.
Clouds of myst'ry pourin'
Confusion on the ground.
Good men through the ages
Tryin' to find the sun.
And I wonder,
Still I wonder
Who'll stop the rain.
I went down Virginia,
Seekin' shelter from the storm.
Caught up in the fable,
I watched the tower grow.
Five-year plans and new deals
Wrapped in golden chains.
And I wonder,
Still 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 kept pourin',
Fallin' on my ears.
And I wonder,
Still I wonder
Who'll stop the rain.
@josephinepee811
I still say my generation had the best music ever. All their songs never get old.
@felisebatchelor6197
So true Josephine. We had the best…history making music. Long life to us.
@tonywhite8162
I will say this. Nov 1979, Scorpio through and true, nobody makes you, it's not only your choice, it's what you chose to pass on. EDIT-Oh, my major influence was my brother who was 13 when I was born, you can define me if you want, you will be the first.
@claralira4780
No doubt about!
@That_Ginger_MiBa
I agree with ye, most music made these days, I find it to be pure shit.
There are some exceptions, that's why I said most
@gertmauersberger2388
Some 55 years ago I was one of the first fans of CCR...and still I am...ageless, timeless, just pure R&B
@johnbrand9244
Another one of my father's favorite songs. He passed away on the 4th of July listening to John Fogerty in the hospice center. What a great song from a great band. R.I.P DAD
@rebekahmaddox1531
I hear ya. I always associate CCR music with my dad. Thankful he's still alive, but he just celebrated his 1 year anniversary from his bone marrow transplant beginning of July.
@invisibot6
My father is 67 now. I'm 35. I never thought about him going away until lately. He showed me CCR, the Beatles, Seinfeld, the Godfather. Our relationship has never been perfect but I love him so much and I understand father and son dynamics now more than ever. The world needs that understanding so badly now.
@denisehedden5108
So sorry for your loss my thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.