Messina debuted in 1996 with the single "Heads Carolina, Tails California". Her album was certifified Gold by the RIAA. Her second album, I'm Alright produced five Top 10 Country hits between 1998 in 1999 and sold over a million copies in America. Since her debut, six of her singles have peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country singles chart and five of her albums have received a certification by the RIAA or the CRIA.
She was raised in Holliston, Massachusetts, by Vincent and Mary Messina, and had two sisters, Terese and Marianne, as well as a brother named Vincent. Messina had a variety of Country music influences, which included Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire, and The Judds. She soon started performing live, and by age 16 she was playing local clubs with a rhythm section made up of her brother and sister. The family band played up until Messina was in her late teens.
Realizing that living in the Northeast would limit her chances of achieving Country music stardom, Messina moved to Nashville at age 19. To support herself, Messina worked various temp jobs, including computer programming and accounting. In her spare time, she entered talent contests around Nashville.
One win led to a regular gig on the radio show Live at Libby's, which in turn caught the interest of producer Byron Gallimore, who helped her assemble a demo tape. Gallimore was also working with the young Tim McGraw around the same time, and Messina befriended him. Backstage at one of his concerts, Messina met an executive from his label, Curb, and jokingly suggested that they needed a redhead. With the help of fellow Curb producer James Stroud, Messina was then signed to the record label. Gallimore and McGraw would later become co-producers of Messina's studio albums under Curb.
In 2022, Cole Swindell had a major hit with a remake of "Heads Carolina, Tails California" entitled "She Had Me At Heads Carolina." In the music video, Jo Dee plays a small part as the bartender in a Karaoke bar.
Bring On The Rain
Jo Dee Messina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't imagine what else could go wrong
Sometimes I'd like to hide away somewhere and lock the door
A single battle lost but not the war
'Cause tomorrow's another day
And I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain
It's almost like the hard times circle 'round
A couple drops and they all start coming down
Yeah, I might feel defeated,
And I might hang my head
I might be barely breathing, but I'm not dead
Tomorrow's another day
And I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain
No I'm not gonna let it get me down
I'm not gonna cry
And I'm not gonna lose any sleep tonight
'Cause tomorrow's another day
And I'm not afraid
So bring on the rain
Tomorrow's another day
And I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain
Bring on
Bring on the rain
No I'm not gonna let it get me down
I'm not gonna cry
So bring on the rain
Bring on
Bring on the rain
Bring on the rain
Bring on the rain
Bring on the rain
The lyrics of Jo Dee Messina's "Bring On The Rain" speak about facing tough times and the resilience to weather through those hard times. The singer expresses being tired of the constant battle and wanting to hide away and lock the door. Despite feeling defeated, she recognizes that tomorrow brings another opportunity to fight, and she's ready to face it head-on. In the chorus, she's almost challenging the universe to bring on the rains of despair because she's not scared of them; she's thirsty for a chance to prove herself.
The second verse alludes to the cyclic nature of these tough times, where the hardships seem to come back time and again. The singer concedes that she might feel defeated, hang her head or be barely breathing, but she's not dead yet, and that means she has another chance to win. There's a sense of conviction in the chorus when the singer says, "I'm not gonna let it get me down, I'm not gonna cry," signifying her determination to keep fighting. The song's structure and melody build towards a crescendo climax where the singer shouts out, "So Bring On The Rain," feeling invincible, ready for whatever life throws her way.
Line by Line Meaning
Another day has almost come and gone
The day is coming to an end, but the struggles faced throughout it are still present.
Can't imagine what else could go wrong
The challenges have been so numerous that the singer cannot fathom any more negative events occurring.
Sometimes I'd like to hide away somewhere and lock the door
The difficulties are overwhelming, and the singer wishes to escape from them by hiding.
A single battle lost but not the war
Though one challenge has been lost, the overall fight continues, and the singer remains resilient.
'Cause tomorrow's another day
The hope that a new day will bring positivity and a fresh start.
And I'm thirsty anyway
The singer is determined to keep going and to keep pushing through the adversity.
So bring on the rain
The singer is prepared to face whatever may come, no matter how challenging and difficult it may be.
It's almost like the hard times circle 'round
Difficult times can seem never-ending and can feel cyclical in nature.
A couple drops and they all start coming down
A small setback can trigger a domino effect of further obstacles and difficulties.
Yeah, I might feel defeated,
The singer may experience feelings of failure and hopelessness.
And I might hang my head
The singer may feel dejected and downtrodden.
I might be barely breathing, but I'm not dead
Despite the challenges, the singer is still standing and still fighting.
And I'm not afraid
The singer is not fearful of what the future may hold.
No I'm not gonna let it get me down
The singer refuses to be defeated by the challenges faced.
I'm not gonna cry
The singer will not let the challenges bring her to tears.
And I'm not gonna lose any sleep tonight
The singer will not allow the difficulties to keep her up at night or to occupy her mind at rest.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLY MONTANA, HELEN DARLING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wwalker46
When this song first came out I really did not understand the full meaning until I lost my job and my husband left a month later and my daughter did not want to move to a new state with me to my new job. After that it became my FAVORITE SONG. I remember driving to NC and singing alone to this song and knowing that it was going to be ok, I would make it no matter what, and THANK GOD I DID.
@davidturnbull7922
Must of been so difficult. Your very courageous.
@blacki446
You just stay strong
@jeffsnedeker150
Sometime that’s how it happens, when you least expect it and when you need it the most!!
@kurtbarks6270
Your daughter didn’t want to go with you? That really stinks.
@kalikibbe3692
There was a 9/11 version ❤
@Malleolust
We lost my brother to a drunk driving accident back in 2002, June 30th. The anniversary of when he was taken approaches & the painful hell of the tragedy is as fresh as it was the day we lost him. The wails of grief my mom cried at his funeral are forever embedded in my memory. It never has healed. I played this song for her; he was her only son. I'm glad all of us can share in drawing from the simple strength of this song. Thanks, everyone, for sharing your stories. Please don't drink & drive.
@sonofmacumber
So feeling your pain, there are those in this world who embrace you and hold you, I am one.
@bettylgibbs5907
Good Blessed You and your Family. ❤️ 😢
@lizwrtust7188
My BD Baby at 39.578 was riding to work with a best friend and a trucker pulled in to their lane so Sean hit his brakes & left the road but trying to turn the wheel back on to the hwy and it dug mud that prevented it & they were flipping over & over. It threw Mike threw the windshield snapping the belt at his neck and not wanting to let him go snapped his neck dragging him with the two or three roll overs before throwing him! The rest is Horrfic with head trama three places plus! Milked faught almost a month but the hospitol talked him into pulling the plug before I could get back up to him in the hospitol! His baby brother was there with him holding his had. I lived in Oklahoma & they were in Texas & the hospitol wouldn't let me stay at night but all 12hrs a day! My Baby's gone! Never leave your child at all in a hospitol! Heaven has My Baby with Family.