Just Walking in the Rain
Johnnie Ray Lyrics
Just walking in the rain
Getting soaking wet
Torturing my heart by trying to forget
Just walking in the rain
So alone and blue
All because my heart still remembers you
People come to windows
They always stare at me
Saying, who can that fool be
Just walking in the rain
Thinking how we met
Knowing things could change
Somehow I can't forget
(Just walking in the rain)
(Walking in the rain)
(Walking in the rain)
(Just walking in the rain, all day I)
People come to the windows
They always stare at me
Their shaking their heads in sorrow
Saying, who can that fool be
(Now who can he be)
Just walking in the rain
(Walking in the rain)
Thinking how we met
(Walking in the rain)
Knowing things have changed
(Walking in the rain)
Somehow I can't forget
(Walking in the rain)
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Bragg, Robert Stanley Riley Snr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
John Alvin Ray (January 10, 1927 – February 24, 1990) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Popular for most of the 1950s, Ray has been cited by critics as a major precursor of what would become rock and roll, for his jazz and blues-influenced music and his animated stage persona.
Ray was born in Hopewell, Oregon, spending part of his childhood on a farm, eventually moving to Portland, Oregon. Ray was of Native American origin; his great-grandmother Read Full BioJohn Alvin Ray (January 10, 1927 – February 24, 1990) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Popular for most of the 1950s, Ray has been cited by critics as a major precursor of what would become rock and roll, for his jazz and blues-influenced music and his animated stage persona.
Ray was born in Hopewell, Oregon, spending part of his childhood on a farm, eventually moving to Portland, Oregon. Ray was of Native American origin; his great-grandmother was a full-blooded Native American and his great-grandfather was Oregon pioneer George Kirby Gay of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England. He became deaf in his right ear at age 13 after an accident during a Boy Scout event. It was his participation in the "blanket toss," a sort of variation of the trampoline, that traumatized the youngster's inner ear. Ray later performed wearing a hearing aid. Surgery performed in New York in 1958 left him almost completely deaf in both ears, although hearing aids helped his condition.
Career
Ray first attracted attention while performing at the Flame Showbar in Detroit, Michigan, an R&B nightclub. Inspired by rhythm singers like Kay Starr, LaVern Baker and Ivory Joe Hunter, Ray developed a unique rhythm based style, described as alternating between pre-rock R&B and a more conventional classic pop approach.
His first record, the self-penned R&B number for OKeh Records, "Whiskey and Gin", was a minor hit in 1951. The following year he dominated the charts with the double-sided hit single of "Cry" and "The Little White Cloud That Cried". Selling over two million copies of the 45 single, Ray's delivery struck a chord with teenagers and he quickly became a teen idol.
Ray's performing style included theatrics later associated with rock 'n roll, including beating up his piano, writhing on the floor and crying. Ray quickly earned the nicknames, "Mr. Emotion", "The Nabob of Sob", and "The Prince of Wails", and several others.
More hits followed, including "Please Mr. Sun", "Such a Night", "Walkin' My Baby Back Home", "A Sinner Am I", and "Yes Tonight Josephine". His last hit was "Just Walkin' in the Rain", in 1956. He did, however, hit again in 1957 with "You Don't Owe Me a Thing", which reached #10 in the Billboard charts. He was popular in the United Kingdom, breaking the record at the London Palladium formerly set by Frankie Laine.[citation needed] In later years, he retained a loyal fan base overseas, particularly in Australia.
Later career influences
Ray had a close relationship with journalist and television game show panelist Dorothy Kilgallen who gave a boost to his sagging career during his engagement at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965.
In early 1969, Ray befriended Judy Garland, performing as her opening act during her last concerts in Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden. Ray was also the best man during Garland's wedding to nightclub manager Mickey Deans in London.[4]
Ray's American career revived in the early 1970s, with appearances on The Andy Williams Show in 1970 and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson three times during 1972 and 1973. His personal manager Bill Franklin resigned in 1976 and cut off contact with the singer a few years later. His American revival turned out to be shortlived. He performed in small American venues such as El Camino College in 1987. Australian, English and Scottish promoters booked him for their large venues as late as 1989, his last year of performing.
Some writers suggested that the reason American entertainment bookers and songwriters ignored him in the 1980s was because they simply did not know who he was, or what his sound was like. His exposure during the new era of cable television was limited to a few seconds in Dexys Midnight Runners' 1982 music video for "Come On Eileen", using archival footage of Ray from 1954. He was name checked in the lyrics to "Come On Eileen" (viz "Poor old Johnnie Ray sounded sad upon the radio / he moved a million hearts in mono").
His other video appearance was in Billy Idol's 1986 "Don't Need a Gun", in which Ray appeared on-camera.
Ray was born in Hopewell, Oregon, spending part of his childhood on a farm, eventually moving to Portland, Oregon. Ray was of Native American origin; his great-grandmother Read Full BioJohn Alvin Ray (January 10, 1927 – February 24, 1990) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Popular for most of the 1950s, Ray has been cited by critics as a major precursor of what would become rock and roll, for his jazz and blues-influenced music and his animated stage persona.
Ray was born in Hopewell, Oregon, spending part of his childhood on a farm, eventually moving to Portland, Oregon. Ray was of Native American origin; his great-grandmother was a full-blooded Native American and his great-grandfather was Oregon pioneer George Kirby Gay of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England. He became deaf in his right ear at age 13 after an accident during a Boy Scout event. It was his participation in the "blanket toss," a sort of variation of the trampoline, that traumatized the youngster's inner ear. Ray later performed wearing a hearing aid. Surgery performed in New York in 1958 left him almost completely deaf in both ears, although hearing aids helped his condition.
Career
Ray first attracted attention while performing at the Flame Showbar in Detroit, Michigan, an R&B nightclub. Inspired by rhythm singers like Kay Starr, LaVern Baker and Ivory Joe Hunter, Ray developed a unique rhythm based style, described as alternating between pre-rock R&B and a more conventional classic pop approach.
His first record, the self-penned R&B number for OKeh Records, "Whiskey and Gin", was a minor hit in 1951. The following year he dominated the charts with the double-sided hit single of "Cry" and "The Little White Cloud That Cried". Selling over two million copies of the 45 single, Ray's delivery struck a chord with teenagers and he quickly became a teen idol.
Ray's performing style included theatrics later associated with rock 'n roll, including beating up his piano, writhing on the floor and crying. Ray quickly earned the nicknames, "Mr. Emotion", "The Nabob of Sob", and "The Prince of Wails", and several others.
More hits followed, including "Please Mr. Sun", "Such a Night", "Walkin' My Baby Back Home", "A Sinner Am I", and "Yes Tonight Josephine". His last hit was "Just Walkin' in the Rain", in 1956. He did, however, hit again in 1957 with "You Don't Owe Me a Thing", which reached #10 in the Billboard charts. He was popular in the United Kingdom, breaking the record at the London Palladium formerly set by Frankie Laine.[citation needed] In later years, he retained a loyal fan base overseas, particularly in Australia.
Later career influences
Ray had a close relationship with journalist and television game show panelist Dorothy Kilgallen who gave a boost to his sagging career during his engagement at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965.
In early 1969, Ray befriended Judy Garland, performing as her opening act during her last concerts in Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden. Ray was also the best man during Garland's wedding to nightclub manager Mickey Deans in London.[4]
Ray's American career revived in the early 1970s, with appearances on The Andy Williams Show in 1970 and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson three times during 1972 and 1973. His personal manager Bill Franklin resigned in 1976 and cut off contact with the singer a few years later. His American revival turned out to be shortlived. He performed in small American venues such as El Camino College in 1987. Australian, English and Scottish promoters booked him for their large venues as late as 1989, his last year of performing.
Some writers suggested that the reason American entertainment bookers and songwriters ignored him in the 1980s was because they simply did not know who he was, or what his sound was like. His exposure during the new era of cable television was limited to a few seconds in Dexys Midnight Runners' 1982 music video for "Come On Eileen", using archival footage of Ray from 1954. He was name checked in the lyrics to "Come On Eileen" (viz "Poor old Johnnie Ray sounded sad upon the radio / he moved a million hearts in mono").
His other video appearance was in Billy Idol's 1986 "Don't Need a Gun", in which Ray appeared on-camera.
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Dont question My Name
Just walking in the rain
Getting soaking wet
Torturing my heart
By trying to forget
Just walking in the rain
So alone and blue
All because my heart
Still remembers you
People come to windows
They always stare at me
Shaking their heads in sorrow
Saying, who can that fool be
Just walking in the rain
Thinking how we met
Knowing things could change
Somehow I can't forget
[Instrumental Interlude]
(Just walking in the rain)
(Walking in the rain)
(Walking in the rain)
(Just walking in the rain)
(All day I ....)
People come to their windows
They always stare at me
They're shaking their heads in sorrow
Saying, who can that fool be
(Now who can he be)
Just walking in the rain
(Walking in the rain)
Thinking how we met
(Walking in the rain)
Knowing things could change
(Walking in the rain)
Somehow I can't forget
(Walking in the rain ....)
Dont question My Name
Just walking in the rain
Getting soaking wet
Torturing my heart
By trying to forget
Just walking in the rain
So alone and blue
All because my heart
Still remembers you
People come to windows
They always stare at me
Shaking their heads in sorrow
Saying, who can that fool be
Just walking in the rain
Thinking how we met
Knowing things could change
Somehow I can't forget
[Instrumental Interlude]
(Just walking in the rain)
(Walking in the rain)
(Walking in the rain)
(Just walking in the rain)
(All day I ....)
People come to their windows
They always stare at me
They're shaking their heads in sorrow
Saying, who can that fool be
(Now who can he be)
Just walking in the rain
(Walking in the rain)
Thinking how we met
(Walking in the rain)
Knowing things could change
(Walking in the rain)
Somehow I can't forget
(Walking in the rain ....)
Nancy Norambuena
Que hermosa canción , verdaderamente buena , jamás podré olvidar ,las tengo grabadas a fuego en mí ❤️
sikchopper
My dog died yesterday. Every Sunday night is oldies nights. He would sit and enjoy the music with me in the still of the night. Tonight it's just me and my sorrows. So I dedicate this song to my friend my loyal dog Bam-Bam. Rest in Peace 07-18-2006 to 04-04-2015.
Sik Chopper
@Colleen Lysette thank you. I miss my Bam-Bam. I appreciate your comment ❤️
Colleen Lysette
I know its been years but I am so sorry about your dog. My baby is still with me but I dread the day.... I hope this song brings you peace now.
Sik Chopper
@bgdavenport Bam-Bam ashes go with me when I go camping, just like he did when he was here with me. Took me three years before I got a new dog. His name is Bugsy a Boston Terrier. I have a large photo of Bam-Bam in the living room. Bugsy and I see it daily. I still miss my boy. But I’m glad I have wonderful memories.
Thanks for asking
Karen Renner
so sorry about your dog You know when its your time to go up he will be there to great you with lots of his love This was one of My Moms favorite songs we would sing it together when I was really little
Loretta Hargreaves
That is hard. Painful. Rescue a dog in his memory???
Jim Yeomans
Johnnie Ray was a trail-blazer. More than anyone else he was at the very start of the Rock and Roll era. Listen to the beat behind most of his numbers, and when it wasn't so obvious, his handling of the melody made each song special. I saw him live in his heyday and also saw him live many years in an intimate club setting. Even more magic them. His stage setting, him at a piano, a spotlight on an empty stool, whilst he sang "Somewhere over the rainbow" as a tribute to Judy Garland, writing about it now, still raises the hair at the back of neck. A one off performer and sadly totally unappreciated by many. I will never forget him. Such a SuperStar!
icecreamman Evans
Had this song played at my mother's funeral she was one of jonnie rays greatest fans..I still cry when I hear this as it reminds me of my late great mum rest in peace mum ..miss you and always will ....