David Grisman started his musical career in 1963 as a member of The Even Dozen Jug Band. His nickname, "Dawg" was affectionately assigned by his close friend Jerry Garcia (the two met at a Van Hoy Campground (NC) back when they used to host the old time fiddlers convention). "Dawg Music" is what he calls his mixture of bluegrass and Django Reinhardt-Stéphane Grappelli-influenced jazz, as highlighted on his 1977 album "Hot Dawg". Stephane Grappelli played on a couple of tracks on the Hot Dawg album and then the 1981 recording "Stephane Grappelli and David Grisman Live". It was his early fusions with Reinhardt-era Jazz that led to the formation of the genre known as newgrass. Grisman, along with New Grass Revival are generally considered the modern day Bill Monroes to this new bluegrass-influenced sound.
Denny Zeitlin, Tony Rice, Mark O'Connor, Béla Fleck, Bob Brozman, Mike Auldridge, Mike Seeger, David Bromberg, Martin Taylor, Del McCoury, Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs, John Hartford, Darol Anger (Turtle Island String Quartet), Sam Bush, and the Kronos Quartet are just some of the musicians that have played with David Grisman or been part of the DGQ (David Grisman Quintet).
The documentary "Grateful Dawg" chronicles the deep friendship between Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. David Grisman appeared on the Grateful Dead's American Beauty album. To this day, Grisman complains of how Jerry Garcia vetoed the length of the mandolin solo featured on the studio version of Ripple. The two recorded a number of duet albums, including the children's album "Not for Kids Only". They also played together as the band "Old and in the Way" with Vassar Clements, Peter Rowan, and John Kahn, which recorded three different albums.
Here's That Rainy Day
David Grisman Lyrics
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Funny, but here's that rainy day
Here's that rainy day they told me about
And I laughed at the thought that it might turn out this way
Where is that worn out wish that I threw aside
After it brought my lover near
It's funny how love becomes a cold rainy day
Funny how love becomes a cold rainy day
Funny, that rainy day is here
In David Grisman & Martin Taylor's song Here's That Rainy Day, the lyrics seem to reflect the pain of unrequited love. The singer's regret is palpable as he laments having discarded his dreams and wishes, only to find himself alone on a rainy day. The first stanza is particularly poignant, with the singer recalling how he dismissed the idea of such a day as remotely possible, and yet here it is. This speaks to the unexpected nature of heartbreak; it can blindside us even when we thought we were prepared for it.
The second stanza continues this theme of regret, as the singer wonders where his once vibrant wish went after it brought his lover near. He seems to imply that he took that love for granted, and now it's gone, leaving him alone on this rainy day. The repetition of the line "Funny how love becomes a cold rainy day" hammers home the emotional impact of the situation. It's interesting to note that the song is primarily instrumental, which allows the lyrics to stand out when they do appear. This also gives the melody a chance to carry the emotional weight of the song, adding to its poignancy.
Overall, Here's That Rainy Day is a beautiful, bittersweet meditation on the nature of heartbreak, love, and regret. It speaks to the universal experience of loss, while also capturing something very personal and specific in its lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I should have saved those left over dreams
Perhaps if I had held on to my aspirations, I could have prepared better for this moment.
Funny, but here's that rainy day
Ironically, the event that was warned of has come to pass.
Here's that rainy day they told me about
As predicted, the day of trouble or hardship has arrived.
And I laughed at the thought that it might turn out this way
In retrospect, my dismissal of the possibility now seems foolish considering the current situation.
Where is that worn out wish that I threw aside
What happened to my old desire that I had previously abandoned?
After it brought my lover near
I recall achieving my objective of acquiring a romantic partner thanks to that abandoned ambition.
It's funny how love becomes a cold rainy day
Irony strikes again, as love can bring happiness and warmth or bitter disappointment.
Funny, that rainy day is here
The present moment is filled with a sense of ironic humor and tension due to the arrival of this unexpected event.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT REYNOLDS, SCOTTY HUFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind