In 1997, at the age of 15, he released his major-label debut, 'Lie to Me'. Though it picked up mixed critical reviews, the album served as a commercial breakthrough, with single "Lie to Me" particularly receiving much airplay and earning the #12 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. That blues rock track continues to be beloved by Lang's fan-base.
Lang followed with 'Wander This World', released on October 20, 1998. Broadening his sound somewhat with influences from classic soul and modern rock, the release experienced widespread success. His singles, "Wander This World" and "Still Rainin'", did particularly well, the latter tune reaching the #8 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.
Several releases and constant touring later, Lang's latest work is 'Fight For My Soul', released on September 2, 2013. The album has received critical acclaim from publications such has Allmusic, with the reviewers remarking that Lang "dives headfirst into classic soul and R&B, its elastic, funky grooves allowing the guitarist plenty of space to solo". It also hit the #20 slot on Billboard's 'Top Rock Albums' chart, selling extremely well.
Part of his success has been due to a voice that sounds somewhat like that of a 40-year-old blues veteran, containing what fans have seen as a harshness tempered by a fine falsetto that has taken prominence in his newest albums. Another part of his success is his scorching, electrifying guitar solos, which display a prodigious natural talent honed by years of practice and playing. Whatever the secret to his success, the youngster has quickly become a fixture in the blues world, drawing crowds wherever he goes.
Lang has drawn deeply from the wellspring of influences from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Luther Allison, and Albert Collins. Many blues artists have also been encouraged to pick up the guitar from his example. As he becomes more confident in his role as a musical veteran instead of a boy wonder, one can see the possibilities he has yet to share with his fans.
Rainy Day Blues
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My friends and I don't like to play out in the rain
We'd rather stay inside a warm house and play a game
We'll play checkers, monopoly
Any game you wanna play
They all sound good to me
Rainy day blues (I've got those blues)
Rainy day blues (I've got to shake those blues)
There's no need to frown when your skies are gray
Oh you can have fun on a rainy day
Your friends can help you send your blues away
Your imagination can take you very far
Be anything you want to, no matter who you are
Rainy day blues (I've got those blues)
Rainy day blues (I've got to shake those blues)
You got nothing to lose except your rainy day blues
I turn on my TV, along came the news
The weatherman's singing the rainy day blues
But it's all right, it's all right, it's all right, it's all right
I'm gonna turn up the music
And dance my blues away
My friends and I don't like to play out in the rain
My friends and I don't like to play out in the rain
We'd rather stay inside a warm house and play a game
We'll play checkers, monopoly
Any game you wanna play
They all sound good to me
Rainy day blues (I've got those blues)
Rainy day blues (I've got to shake those blues)
You got nothing to lose except your rainy day blues
The song “Rainy Day Blues” by Jonny Lang is a cheerful blues song that encourages listeners to have fun and let go of their worries on a rainy day. The song begins with Lang describing how he and his friends prefer to stay warm and dry indoors, playing board games such as checkers and monopoly, rather than going outside to play in the rain. The chorus repeats the phrase “Rainy day blues,” emphasizing the feeling of being down on a gloomy day, but also pointing out that the blues can be shaken off and there is nothing to lose.
The second verse is more optimistic, describing how friends can be a great source of comfort and joy on a rainy day, suggesting that one’s imagination can take them anywhere, regardless of circumstances. Lang encourages listeners to turn up the music and dance their blues away, proclaiming that it’s “all right” to have a good time, even when conditions are not ideal. The song ends by repeating the first verse and chorus, bringing the song full circle.
Overall, “Rainy Day Blues” is a catchy and uplifting tune that seems to suggest that the key to happiness is to make the best of what we have, and to seek joy and comfort in the company of others. The song celebrates the power of friendship, imagination, and music to lift us up when we are feeling down.
Line by Line Meaning
My friends and I don't like to play out in the rain
We prefer to stay indoors when it's rainy outside.
We'd rather stay inside a warm house and play a game
We would rather spend time in a cozy environment and play games.
We'll play checkers, monopoly
We are willing to play different board games to pass the time.
Any game you wanna play
We are open to playing any game, depending on what our friends want to play.
They all sound good to me
We are excited at the thought of playing indoor games and are willing to play any game.
Rainy day blues (I've got those blues)
Feeling down or bored because of the rainy day.
Rainy day blues (I've got to shake those blues)
Trying to cheer oneself up and overcome the blues caused by the rainy day.
You got nothing to lose except your rainy day blues
There's nothing to lose in trying to be happy and beating the blues caused by the rainy day.
There's no need to frown when your skies are gray
There's no need to be sad when it's raining or the skies are cloudy.
Oh you can have fun on a rainy day
You can have fun and enjoy yourself even on a rainy day.
Your friends can help you send your blues away
Spending time with friends can help improve your mood and make you feel better.
Your imagination can take you very far
Your imagination can help you escape reality and transport you to different worlds or scenarios.
Be anything you want to, no matter who you are
Your imagination has no limits and can allow you to become anyone or anything, regardless of your real-life circumstances.
I turn on my TV, along came the news
The singer turns on the TV and comes across the news.
The weatherman's singing the rainy day blues
The weatherman is reporting on the rainy weather, which can lead to people feeling unhappy or down.
But it's all right, it's all right, it's all right, it's all right
Even though the news or weather might be discouraging, everything will eventually be okay.
I'm gonna turn up the music
The artist plans to turn up the volume of the music they are listening to.
And dance my blues away
The singer plans to dance and use music as a way to lift their mood and overcome their blues.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
brianna rich
Clouds, one by one, fill the sky
Just like these tears that fill my eyes
I know by now she ain't comin' back
I watch my world slowly fade into black
Look out my window it's still rainin'
Look out my window it's still rainin'
They say that time heals everything
I've felt the pain that love can bring
It don't get no better with each passing day
Any hope I had is slowly slipping away
Look out my window it's still rainin'
Look out my window it's still rainin'
I thought the morning would rescue me
But the rain keeps falling endlessly, endlessly
Sometimes I wonder what'll become of me
There ain't much left of what I used to be
Her love shone on me like the morning light
Now here I am alone again tonight
Look out my window it's still rainin'
Look out my window it's still rainin'
David Crouch
Wow, went to see Jonny Lang 4 29 2017 in Naples Fl ... wow is all I can
say. I had no idea that his voice was as good as it gets... and of course his guitar
playing is probably the best ever... and the fact that he put on an
amazing show for 350 old farts, he gave 100% and blew me away. Kinda sad
I missed the meet and greet as i actually hung out with his Dad a
couple times in MN (Jonny had a house on Lake Minnetonka next to one of
my good friends). As a musician myself I can say, if you check out some
of his youtube stuff that is even a year or 2 old... he has gotten EVEN
BETTER!!!!
Liza Knight
Jonny Lang was never a "star" he never sold out, always stayed true to himself and his music, this is what integrity looks like, a genius!
Heather Langi
So true and there's not many out there like him.
Hazel Brooks
True
TheRMSU1
he's not recording this raw blues anymore, what's that?
TheRMSU1
I can appreciate finding a better him though!
Sharon McComas
Couldn't have said any better he's phenomenal
SamWilliams_Music
He’s seriously so damn talented. A lot of people can sing blues, but voices like this are seriously rare
brutalblues
He was singing like this at age 15! Saw him with Chris Whitley around the time of this video.
Carol Badillo
Exactly 💯
Garry O'Dell Phillips
@brutalblues now his voice is ripped out..Can only take so much abuse I guess..