Early life
Whitley learned to play a guitar at a very young age, and became involved with a regional television show when he was eight years old. He and his friend, Ricky Skaggs, formed a bluegrass band, which landed both of them their first break in 1970, when they joined Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys. Whitley was singing lead for the band by 1974 at the age of 20.
In 1978, he joined J. D. Crowe and the New South as lead vocalist and guitarist. Critics were by then praising his vocals, and these reviews eventually caught the attention of RCA Records, who would sign him to a contract in 1984.
Solo years
Whitley's first solo album, ''A Hard Act to Follow,'' was released in 1984. However, the songs off of the album didn't get much airplay. Critics regarded the album as too erratic; while Whitley was working hard to achieve his own style, the songs he produced were inconsistent, and because of this, the follow up album would be more with pop sounds and a new producer as well who had been in the music buisness for sometime and had several hit records under his belt with other artists Blake Mevis.
L.A. to Miami, released in 1986. This album would give him his first Top 20 country hit single, "Miami, My Amy." The song was followed by three more hit songs, "Ten Feet Away," "Homecoming '63," and "Hard Livin." The album also had included "On The Other Hand" and "Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her." Both George Strait and Randy Travis waited to see if Whitley would release these two songs as singles; when he didn't, Strait grabbed "Nobody in his Right Mind Would've Left Her", and Travis did the same with "On the Other Hand." Both Strait and Travis scored big on both songs, landing both at number one on the country charts.
During his tour to promote ''L.A. to Miami'', he met and started dating Lorrie Morgan, a fellow country singer. The pair were married in November, 1986, and they had their only son, Jesse Keith Whitley, in 1987. Keith also adopted Lorrie's daughter Morgan from her first marriage.
During the new recording sessions in 1987, Whitley started feeling that the songs he was doing were not up to the way he wanted them,nal studio album, ''I Wonder Do You Think of Me''. The album was released three months after his death, on August 1, 1989. The album produced two more #1 hits, with the title track and "It Ain't Nothin'." "I'm Over You" also saw the top ten in the spring of 1990, reaching No. 3.
In 1990, a collection of Keith's greatest hits was released. It has gone on to sell more than three million copies over the years for RCA.
On the greatest hits collection was a demo record that Whitley made in 1987, called "Tell Lorrie I Love Her," and also a new song to which Lorrie Morgan added her vocals to and created a duet called "Til A Tear Becomes A Rose". The song rose to No. 13 and won them 1991's CMA award for Best Vocal Collaboration.
RCA also released a compilation of old performance clips (from his days in the Clinch Mountain Boys and the New South), interviews, and some previously unreleased material under the title "Kentucky Bluebird", a moniker that became Whitley's nickname. The CD has become a huge collector's item among fans over the years due to it being out of print.and is currently in production.
Almost twenty years after Keith's passing fans and fellow singers still wonder what would have happened if Keith had lived, some say Garth Brooks would have taken a back seat to Keith in the 1990's , Tim McGraw and many singers today still are influenced by the man who just wanted to be remembered.
In 2007, long time fan Kindall Wann will be launching an all Keith Whitley radio station on the internet site Live365.com, the station will contain every known public release of Keith's and also the live concerts, demos, and more that fans have has among them for years.
In the summer of 2007, Austin City Limits will be releasing like in past years, several DVDs of their concerts over the years, and Keith's "FULL" concert is one that will be released. The concert filmed is an hour long, but the television version is only 30 minutes long.
Keith's music video's and many rare performances have recently been showing up on the website YouTube.com, one of the performances is from Hee Haw in 1985, Keith singing "Miami, My Amy".
I'm No Stranger to the Rain
Keith Whitley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a friend of thunder
Friend, is it any wonder lightning strikes me?
I've fought with the devil
Got down on his level
But I never gave in, so he gave up on me
I'm no stranger to the rain
And I'm good at finding shelter in a downpour
I've been sacrificed by brothers
Crucified by lovers
But through it all, I withstood the pain
I'm no stranger to the rain
When I get that foggy feeling
The one I'm feeling now
If I don't keep my head up, I may drown
But it's hard to keep believing
I'll even come out even
While the rain beats a hole in the ground
And tonight, it's really coming down
I'm no stranger to the rain
But there'll always be tomorrow
And I'll beg, steal, or borrow a little sunshine
And I'll put this cloud behind me
That's how the man designed me
To ride the wind and dance in a hurricane
I'm no stranger to the rain
Oh, no, I'm no stranger to the rain
I'm no stranger to the rain
I'm a friend of thunder
Friend, is it any wonder lightning strikes me?
But I'll put this cloud behind me
That's how the man designed me
To ride the wind and dance in a hurricane
I'm no stranger to the rain
Oh, no, I'm no stranger to the rain
Keith Whitley's "I'm No Stranger To The Rain" depicts the story of a person who's been through several challenging moments in life but never gave up. The song highlights the idea of resilience and fighting against all odds. Throughout the song, the lyrics showcase how the singer has been a friend to thunder, and thus it's not a surprise that the lightning strikes him. He has fought with the devil and has been through a lot, yet he remained strong.
The singer emphasizes his strength by stating that he can spot bad weather and find shelter, which further shows how he knows how to endure challenging situations. The song also portrays the idea of hope, with the singer saying that though it's hard to keep believing, he knows that there will always be tomorrow. In this space, the song brings a sense of positivity and perseverance.
The lyrics of "I'm No Stranger To The Rain" encourage listeners to keep pushing no matter how hard and challenging life can be. They speak about resilience and hope that tomorrow will bring good weather. The song reinforces the idea that it's only by going through the rain that one can learn to dance in the hurricane.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm no stranger to the rain
I have experienced many difficult times in my life.
I'm a friend of thunder
I am comfortable with chaos and instability.
Friend, is it any wonder lightning strikes me?
I often attract trouble and adversity.
I've fought with the devil
I have faced temptation and darkness.
Got down on his level
I have struggled and fought against evil.
But I never gave in, so he gave up on me
I have remained strong in my beliefs and values despite adversity.
I can spot bad weather
I am able to recognize when difficult times are coming.
And I'm good at finding shelter in a downpour
I am resourceful and able to protect myself during challenging times.
I've been sacrificed by brothers
I have been betrayed by those closest to me.
Crucified by lovers
I have been hurt and betrayed by those I have loved.
But through it all, I withstood the pain
Despite enduring much suffering, I have remained strong in my resilience.
When I get that foggy feeling
When I feel lost or uncertain about the future.
The one I'm feeling now
The current feeling of uncertainty and doubt.
If I don't keep my head up, I may drown
If I let my negativity and despair take control, I may be consumed by it.
But it's hard to keep believing
Staying positive and hopeful can be challenging during difficult times.
I'll even come out even
I hope to eventually overcome my struggles and reach a point of balance and stability.
While the rain beats a hole in the ground
Despite the difficulties I face, I am determined to stay strong and persevere.
And tonight, it's really coming down
Things are particularly difficult for me at the moment.
But there'll always be tomorrow
I have hope for the future and believe that things will eventually get better.
And I'll beg, steal, or borrow a little sunshine
I am willing to ask for help and work hard to find a way out of my difficulties.
That's how the man designed me
I believe that I am strong enough to handle life's challenges based on my personal strengths and experiences.
To ride the wind and dance in a hurricane
I am able to thrive and be resilient in the face of chaos and challenge.
I'm no stranger to the rain
I have faced many difficult times in my life and am well-equipped to handle them.
Oh, no, I'm no stranger to the rain
I am confident in my ability to persevere and thrive during challenging times.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ron Hellard, Sonny Curtis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miltonjr1636
I'm no stranger to the rain
I'm a friend of thunder
Friend, is it any wonder lightning strikes me?
I've fought with the devil
Got down on his level
But I never gave in, so he gave up on me
I'm no stranger to the rain
I can spot bad weather
And I'm good at finding shelter in a downpour
I've been sacrificed by brothers
Crucified by lovers
But through it all, I withstood the pain
I'm no stranger to the rain
When I get that foggy feeling
The one I'm feeling now
If I don't keep my head up, I may drown
But it's hard to keep believing
I'll even come out even
While the rain beats a hole in the ground
And tonight, it's really coming down
I'm no stranger to the rain
But there'll always be tomorrow
And I'll beg, steal, or borrow a little sunshine
And I'll put this cloud behind me
That's how the man designed me
To ride the wind and dance in a hurricane
I'm no stranger to the rain
Oh, no, I'm no stranger to the rain
I'm no stranger to the rain
I'm a friend of thunder
Friend, is it any wonder lightning strikes me?
But I'll put this cloud behind me
That's how the man designed me
To ride the wind and dance in a hurricane
I'm no stranger to the rain
Oh, no, I'm no stranger to the rain
@chris2302
Keith is a legend and it's a crying shame that he died so young.
@bellatayag8872
Yes iam very sad
@williammccloud5579
Agreed lost Keith Whitley to soon to alcohol addiction but his music will lives on forever my favorite COUNTRY music singer
@glennmorris371
I'm just thankful we had him for the time we did... He's the best ever.
@Lori-ju9ho
I agree
@williammccloud5579
@@Lori-ju9ho agreed with you
@DHW448
He was one of the best at sharing his pain. He was troubled and traumatized and it came out in his voice and lyrics. Be at peace Keith.
@Mark-ys1ld
Reminds me of Hank Sr. As I'm sure that was an influence on him. 💯
@BethyKable
Well said
@cameronparkmusic4205
It’s clear he was in pain 🥺 on his death report he was only 34. And was said his blood alcohol level was 0.47