Lowell George's first band, The Factory, formed in 1965. Members included future Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward (he replaced Dallas Taylor in Sept 1966), and Martin Kibbee (a.k.a. Fred Martin) who would later co-write several Little Feat songs with George, including "Dixie Chicken" and "Rock & Roll Doctor". Frank Zappa produced two tracks for The Factory. Following the disbanding of The Factory, George briefly joined the band The Standells. There followed a few months in late 1968 to early 1969 where George was a member of Zappa's band, the Mothers of Invention.
After leaving the Mothers of Invention, George invited fellow musicians to form a new band, which they named Little Feat. As Feat's primary motive force and chief songwriter, he sang, played slide guitar and produced much of their output of eight albums...plus "Hoy Hoy," a collection of live recordings and studio outtakes released posthumously. Recorded one amazing solo LP. Died at the age of 34. An autopsy showed that he died of an accidental drug overdose.
With Little Feat, Lowell crafted a completely unique-sounding band. His approach to the slide or "bottleneck" guitar was not based in the blues from whence it originated, but was rather tailored specifically for the New Orleans-style funk, jazz-tinged improvisations and straight-ahead rock which the band played so brilliantly.
Lowell became a major influence on other artists such as Linda Ronstadt and the Rolling Stones. Even a producer for the Grateful Dead.
Notorious for his hard partying life style, died of a heart attack at age 34. The rock world lost a musician of singular talent and vision with his passing.
Lowell's daughter, Inara George, is a solo artist and member of the duo The Bird and the Bee.
Can't Stand the Rain
Lowell George Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Against my window
Bringing back sweet memories
Hey, window pane
Do you remember
How sweet it used to be
When we was together
Now that we've parted
There's just one sound
One sound I just can't stand
I can't stand the rain
Against my window
Bringing back sweet memories
I can't stand the rain
Against my window
'Cause she's not here with me
With that pillow
Where her head used to lay
I know you've got
Some sweet memories
But like the window
You ain't got nothing to say
I just can't stand the rain
Against my window
Bringing back sweet memories
I can't stand the rain
What it be sayin'
Oh it keeps on haunting me
Get off my window
I cant stand the rain
Sweet memories
I can't stand the rain
Against my window
Bringin' back sweet memories
Get off my window
Lowell George's song, Can't Stand the Rain, portrays the agony of missing someone and how a simple thing like rain could bring back memories of the person you long for. The lyrics describe the rain against the windowpane, which in turn triggers memories of the past. The window that was once a witness to the sweet moments between Lowell and his lover is now taunting him with the memories of the good times they shared. Every droplet of the rain echoes the past, but the past is history now, and it hurts to think about the good times that are gone forever.
The lyrics further hint at the longing of the heart for the person he desires, someone who is no longer with him. The lines, "Cause she's not here with me. With that pillow, Where her head used to lay," reveal the intensity of the singer's emotions. He struggles to move on but is reminded of the pain with every raindrop that conjures memories of her. The song's emotional depth and the sound of the rain tapping on the window create a deeply moving portrayal of the unremitting power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't stand the rain
The singer cannot tolerate the sound and presence of rain.
Against my window
The rain is hitting the windows making noise.
Bringing back sweet memories
The sound of the rain is also bringing back memories of a past relationship.
Hey, window pane
The singer is addressing the window he looks through.
Do you remember
The singer is asking the window if it remembers a time when things were good.
How sweet it used to be
The singer is reminiscing about a time in the past when things were good.
When we was together
The singer is referring to a past romantic relationship.
Everything was so grand
The singer remembers the past relationship being amazing.
Now that we've parted
The singer and his partner are no longer together.
There's just one sound
The rain is the only thing that is bothering the singer.
One sound I just can't stand
The sound of the rain is unbearable to the singer.
With that pillow
The singer sees the pillow and remembers when his partner used to rest her head on it.
Where her head used to lay
The singer is reminiscing about a time in the past when his partner used to lay her head on the pillow.
I know you've got
The singer is addressing the window, saying that he knows the window has sweet memories.
Some sweet memories
The singer thinks the window has memories of a past relationship like he does.
But like the window
The singer is comparing himself to the window.
You ain't got nothing to say
The window can't provide him comfort, even though it has memories too.
What it be sayin'
The singer is questioning the meaning of the rain.
Oh it keeps on haunting me
The sound of the rain keeps bringing back memories and making the singer feel haunted.
Get off my window
The singer is asking the rain to stop hitting his window and causing him pain.
Writer(s): Ann Peebles, Don Bryant, Bernard Miller
Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mischiefmikeyo
Bring one musician back to life card? You're damn right id use it on Lowell. This guy was music incarnate. I wouldn't want to live in a world without his music
pretorious700
Lowell or George Harrison-that's a tough one.
Jay Shatsky
Amen !!
rob g
what a great song done to perfection by the man . RIP Lowell
musicnut1986
I always thought this was one killer album with bluesy horns and keyboards and that awesome slide guitar. Always wondered what other killer albums Lowell had in him that died when he died. We will never know. At least we have this solo album and the Little Feat albums to enjoy.
Stargazer
Musicnut1986. I thoroughly agree.
nyg1954
Soulful man.
Khataroo
This is one of my favorite albums
TEG Knox
Packed solid with excellent tunes. So damn glad he got this completed.
Austin Young
it's pouring down here in h-town and this old song came to mind. hadn't thought of it in years but it's in my head again. R.I.P. Mr. George - so much talent, soul, turmoil and "sweet memories".....