Marvin Karlton Rainwater (July 2, 1925 – September 17, 2013) was an America… Read Full Bio ↴Marvin Karlton Rainwater (July 2, 1925 – September 17, 2013) was an American country and rockabilly singer and songwriter who had several hits during the late 1950s, including "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" and "Whole Lotta Woman", a UK no.1 record. He was known for wearing Native American-themed outfits on stage and was 25 percent Cherokee.
Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Stella (née Miller) and Cicero Percy Rainwater, and grew up during the Great Depression. As a child, instead of listening to the Grand Ole Opry with his father, he took classical piano lessons, which ended after he lost part of his right thumb to a work accident as a teenager. He originally trained to be a veterinarian, but after some time in the Navy during World War II took up the guitar.
He became fascinated with Roy Acuff and started playing and writing songs. With his brothers, he played concerts around Virginia. He sometimes wore a buckskin jacket and headband. Rising guitarist Roy Clark worked with Rainwater and together they cut a few demos for 4 Star Records. Pop singer Teresa Brewer turned one of his compositions, "I Gotta Go Get My Baby", into a big hit. Others were overdubbed and released on budget record labels.
Rainwater got his big break in the music business when he performed on Arthur Godfrey's programs. He won first place on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts on May 9, 1955. He had a regular role on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee for several years in Springfield, Missouri beginning in 1955. He signed with MGM Records and recorded a series of songs for the label, including peppy numbers like "Hot and Cold". Such songs were showcases for Rainwater's voice, and his energy and versatility led him to record rockabilly.
Rainwater was one of country's most noteworthy stars in the late 1950s, when his good looks and baritone voice made him popular. One of the first country songs he recorded was "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird", which he wrote. Released in 1957, the song became a big country-pop crossover hit, making Rainwater among the first country singers to appeal to a pop market. The song reached No. 3 on the country chart and 18 on the pop chart. It sold one million copies by 1957, and gave Rainwater his first gold record. During the song's success, Rainwater relocated to the New Jersey-New York area. "The Majesty of Love" (1957) was a duet with Connie Francis, which also sold over one million copies. His next single, "So You Think You Got Troubles", was a successful follow-up on the country charts, but not on the pop charts. His self-penned "Whole Lotta Woman" reached UK No. 1 for three weeks in April and May 1958. A second UK single, "I Dig You Baby", made No. 19 in June 1958. "Nothin' Needs Nothin' (Like I Need You)" missed the UK Top Thirty chart, but returned him to the US Country chart.
Rainwater performed and toured throughout the rest of the 1950s. In 1959, he added three more gold records: "My Love Is Real", "My Brand Of Blues" and "Half Breed" (A cover version of a John D. Loudermilk song,) all sold in excess of one million records. In 1959, Rainwater recorded another Loudermilk song, "The Pale Faced Indian". His original version went unnoticed, but later efforts by Don Fardon and Paul Revere & The Raiders under the title "Indian Reservation" were hits. Marvin recorded a number of songs with his little sister Patty Rainwater who was almost 12 years his junior. They recorded songs like "Down In The Cellar" as well as some of Patty's compositions like "Because I'm A Dreamer" and "Two Fools In Love".
His voice began to give out, and he developed calluses on his vocal cords. As a result, Rainwater and MGM Records parted ways in 1960. He went into brief retirement to rest his voice and then recorded sporadically for Warwick Records (United Kingdom), although without any hits. In the 1960s, he recorded for a series of record labels including United Artists, Warner Bros. and Sonet; and started his own record company called Brave Records.
In the 1970s, Rainwater developed throat cancer, from which he slowly recovered, and moved to Aitkin, Minnesota. He appeared occasionally at rockabilly festivals in Europe and was still loved by many fans.
Rainwater was the 73rd inductee into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
He died of heart failure on September 17, 2013, in Minneapolis. Marvin had five children. Jimmy and Judi by his first wife Charline; Wade, Lora Lee and Barbie by his second wife Barbara.
Rainwater's song "Gamblin' Man" was covered by Mike Ness on his 1999 album, Under the Influences. "So You Think You've Got Troubles" was covered by Harry Nilsson, as evidenced on his 1966 Spotlight on Nilsson compilation album. "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" was covered by Petula Clark in 1957 and by Steve Young on his 1969 album, Rock Salt & Nails. "Hot and Cold" was featured on Bob Dylan's radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour.
Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Stella (née Miller) and Cicero Percy Rainwater, and grew up during the Great Depression. As a child, instead of listening to the Grand Ole Opry with his father, he took classical piano lessons, which ended after he lost part of his right thumb to a work accident as a teenager. He originally trained to be a veterinarian, but after some time in the Navy during World War II took up the guitar.
He became fascinated with Roy Acuff and started playing and writing songs. With his brothers, he played concerts around Virginia. He sometimes wore a buckskin jacket and headband. Rising guitarist Roy Clark worked with Rainwater and together they cut a few demos for 4 Star Records. Pop singer Teresa Brewer turned one of his compositions, "I Gotta Go Get My Baby", into a big hit. Others were overdubbed and released on budget record labels.
Rainwater got his big break in the music business when he performed on Arthur Godfrey's programs. He won first place on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts on May 9, 1955. He had a regular role on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee for several years in Springfield, Missouri beginning in 1955. He signed with MGM Records and recorded a series of songs for the label, including peppy numbers like "Hot and Cold". Such songs were showcases for Rainwater's voice, and his energy and versatility led him to record rockabilly.
Rainwater was one of country's most noteworthy stars in the late 1950s, when his good looks and baritone voice made him popular. One of the first country songs he recorded was "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird", which he wrote. Released in 1957, the song became a big country-pop crossover hit, making Rainwater among the first country singers to appeal to a pop market. The song reached No. 3 on the country chart and 18 on the pop chart. It sold one million copies by 1957, and gave Rainwater his first gold record. During the song's success, Rainwater relocated to the New Jersey-New York area. "The Majesty of Love" (1957) was a duet with Connie Francis, which also sold over one million copies. His next single, "So You Think You Got Troubles", was a successful follow-up on the country charts, but not on the pop charts. His self-penned "Whole Lotta Woman" reached UK No. 1 for three weeks in April and May 1958. A second UK single, "I Dig You Baby", made No. 19 in June 1958. "Nothin' Needs Nothin' (Like I Need You)" missed the UK Top Thirty chart, but returned him to the US Country chart.
Rainwater performed and toured throughout the rest of the 1950s. In 1959, he added three more gold records: "My Love Is Real", "My Brand Of Blues" and "Half Breed" (A cover version of a John D. Loudermilk song,) all sold in excess of one million records. In 1959, Rainwater recorded another Loudermilk song, "The Pale Faced Indian". His original version went unnoticed, but later efforts by Don Fardon and Paul Revere & The Raiders under the title "Indian Reservation" were hits. Marvin recorded a number of songs with his little sister Patty Rainwater who was almost 12 years his junior. They recorded songs like "Down In The Cellar" as well as some of Patty's compositions like "Because I'm A Dreamer" and "Two Fools In Love".
His voice began to give out, and he developed calluses on his vocal cords. As a result, Rainwater and MGM Records parted ways in 1960. He went into brief retirement to rest his voice and then recorded sporadically for Warwick Records (United Kingdom), although without any hits. In the 1960s, he recorded for a series of record labels including United Artists, Warner Bros. and Sonet; and started his own record company called Brave Records.
In the 1970s, Rainwater developed throat cancer, from which he slowly recovered, and moved to Aitkin, Minnesota. He appeared occasionally at rockabilly festivals in Europe and was still loved by many fans.
Rainwater was the 73rd inductee into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
He died of heart failure on September 17, 2013, in Minneapolis. Marvin had five children. Jimmy and Judi by his first wife Charline; Wade, Lora Lee and Barbie by his second wife Barbara.
Rainwater's song "Gamblin' Man" was covered by Mike Ness on his 1999 album, Under the Influences. "So You Think You've Got Troubles" was covered by Harry Nilsson, as evidenced on his 1966 Spotlight on Nilsson compilation album. "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" was covered by Petula Clark in 1957 and by Steve Young on his 1969 album, Rock Salt & Nails. "Hot and Cold" was featured on Bob Dylan's radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour.
Burning Bridges
Marvin Rainwater Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Burning Bridges' by these artists:
.38 Special You haven't changed much From the last time I saw you You…
12. OneRepublic You and I were meant to be Ain't no doubt about…
2/3 Goat Uh Uh huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh Momma know how I…
22 Wolf I told that bitch to suck a dick I fucking quit Middle…
2\x013 Goat Uh Uh huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh Momma know how I…
Adamantium The bridges have been burnt, And I won't pretend, I never…
Against Me! I saw you burn down every bridge. Turn your back…
André Andersen I told you once, I told you twice That you can't…
Andre Andersen I told you once, I told you twice That you can't…
Anvil When you bite the hand that feeds Destructive forces out to…
Arch Enemy So now the bridges are burnt A lesson learned? Promises brok…
Atrox If you can't cope with the answers don't bother to…
Ayosha If my life would stop in a minute, I would do…
Bea Miller I've been lonely missing your body You've been out of touch…
Beatcore & Ashley Apollodor Burning bridges to the ground Take away what's left of …
Ben Taylor If this is an emergency we shot down in the dark we…
Bigelf I play the game Around and around it’s the same You are…
Black Abyss Every night I close my eyes Memories got me in my…
Bloodties I've built too many bridges just to watch them burn…
Blue Stahli So love is a border town abortion Elimnate everything I tho…
Bon Jovi Sayonara Adios, auf wiedersehen, farewell Adieu, good night,…
Bree Taylor Sometimes talk is cheap And words don’t mean that much And s…
Brooks Garth Yesterday she thanked me For oiling that front door This mor…
Carleen Anderson How did I ever get over, mountains so high Light…
Chapman Some friends I chose And some friends I lost Some became m…
Cheap Suits What gives you the write to walk all over me Do…
Chokehold I reach out my hands try to educate you on…
Chris Pureka This is a story of burning bridges And allowing time to…
Chromatics When your tears fall down On the cold, cold ground And you'v…
Cinema Sounds Orchestra Friends all tried to warn me But I hels my head…
Collective Soul Been thinking a lot about my ways Guess I'm trying…
Connie Smith Found some letters you wrote me this morning And they told…
Crematory Seek evil, you will find, speak evil, it's on your…
Crimson Glory We've all been hurt before You know the pain And just to…
Crippled Black Phoenix Friends all tried to warn me but I held my…
Crystallion I know what I believe in I hope you know it…
Daniel O'Donnell Friends all tried to warn me But I held my head…
Daniel O’Donnell Friends all tried to warn me But I held my head…
Delain Do you remember? You and me against the world Do you remembe…
Django Stewart Your messages on my phone ‘Bout to lose control Stayed up al…
Donny Osmond Friends all tried to warn me but I held my…
dreamsfear [8:04] After all this time together After all that we'v…
Dune Rats Round and round, right way round Up and down, here we…
Ella Vos Gave all that I had, more than you should ask Wide…
Emerson Lake & Palmer Miles away The light in the distance looks miles away Tire…
Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Mark Mancina) Miles away The light in the distance looks m…
Empire Of Gold How many times have I ruined my name Put my whole…
ENMY When I decide, to leave you all behind I can't be…
Eternal Delyria You're all that matters in this world It's not wha…
Eye-Gouge! Just the other day I heard somebody say ?Life is getting…
Family J. Whitney / R. Chapman / P. Palmer Visions they'r…
Faron (Burning bridges behind me) all I want is to forget…
Freak Kitchen The sun is kind of annoying As I try to sleep…
Fulblown You and I were meant to be Ain't no doubt about…
Garth Brooks Yesterday she thanked me For oiling that front door This mor…
George Jones Found some letters that you wrote me this mornin' And they…
Ghost Machine It's been a long dark road but I remember when…
Gizmo Varillas How many times must we trip and fall How many more…
Glen Campbell Found some letters You wrote me this morning They told of…
Her Nightmare I'm not here to save your world, to save your…
Information Society Do you think There are things I'd rather not remember Can …
Jack Scott Found some letters you wrote me this morning They told of…
Jan Howard Found some letters you wrote me this morning they told…
Japan It's all behind me now The work is done We…
Jason Mraz I know exactly how you feel You were this close to…
k-os (Now dance fast! this is what we do overall in…
Kange A clean slate I thought I needed Don't talk to me no…
Kittie Hell above Your star is below There's no comprehension Ther…
KOS (Now dance fast this is what we do overall in…
Krabathor Hidden in the forest, Sleeping on the ground Far away from…
Lalo Schifrin Friends all tried to warn me But I held my head…
Lucinda Williams Sometimes press them tenders I'm never truly land And all yo…
Ludacris When all your love is lost And burning bridges can't be…
Lukas Rossi Always thought it was so clear, as the rearview mirror…
Matt McAndrew In New Jersey I burn bridges And I'm drowning in the…
Me & The Rest I wanted you to see the good in me You think…
Megadeth You give up on yourself Somehow you got betrayed again Thin …
Mest It was a late Thursday night, when I decided to…
Michael Barr I'm burning bridges Quicker than I'm burning up this liquor…
Mike Curb Friends all tried to warn me But I held my head…
Moderator I can't I mean I gotta follow through with this I'm gonna…
Mystic Prophecy Decades of decadence and aeons of evil Comes over you this…
Nachtmahr The blood we spilled The enemies that we killed The wars we…
Naked Eye Just the other day I heard somebody say ?Life is getting…
Obey the Brave Get back on track No turning back I knew it all along D…
OneRepublic You and I were meant to be Ain't no doubt about…
OR Just the other day I heard somebody say ?Life is getting…
PabZ I'm burning bridges No more forgiveness Made my decisions An…
Paragon I'm like you - You are like me Together in the…
Passenger Turn into dust, turn into dust... (...) and my tongue whe…
Peter Maffay All alone in a big bad world Don't make no sense…
Pink Floyd Bridges burning gladly Merging with the shadows Flickering …
Pink Floyd (The Early Years 1965-1972) Bridges burning gladly Merging with the shadows Flickerin…
Pink Floyd (vinyl) Bridges burning gladly Merging with the shadows, Flicker…
Pissing Razors The dreams are so real and the lies are so…
Porter Wagoner Found some letters you wrote me this morning They told…
Prayers Fire, I breath fire Fire, I breath fire Fire, I breath fire …
Protoculture Time Is never on my side I have to fight tomorrow I feel…
Protoculture feat. Tricia Mc Teague Time is never on my side, I have to fight tomorrow, I…
Protoculture Feat. Tricia McTeague Time Is never on my side I have to fight tomorrow I feel…
Pureka Chris This is a story of burning bridges And allowing time to…
Razor Downtown Toronto a Saturday night I'm looking to party 'til …
Remy Shand Another time, another space Mark my words, I can't fake anot…
Roger Miller Found some letters You wrote me this mornin' They told of…
Ronnie McDowell Found some letters you wrote me this morning They told of…
Roy Drusky Found some letters you wrote me this morning they told…
Scott Jack Found some letters you wrote me this morning They told of…
Seventh Day Slumber Set this place on fire, burn it to the ground 'Cause…
Shand Remy Another time, another space Mark my words, I can't fake anot…
Sigrid I could tell you the truth but you'd call me…
Silent Screams What difference does a day make, for you and me? What…
SKIP&DIE And when the magic runs away I hear somebody ask "when…
Slushie Closing in on the fall, It takes all you've got…
Status Quo Building dreams has always been my way Making time and livin…
Status Quo (Karaoke) Building dreams has always been my way Making time and livi…
Stormy Strong Though you tried so hard to find A wrinkle in my…
Sunk Loto Burning down to the ground Burning life slips away from me …
Superstitions of the Sky I remember the last time our lips met in between…
Survivor I can feel a strong desire A distant fire burning…
Tell Me a Fairytale This town, this lighthouse is standing On the abandoned swam…
The Heat Whoa! Got me feeling down Push me underground Whoa! Got to…
The Lionheads All the words spoken, you know (woooo) All out in the…
The Mike Curb Congregation Friends all tried to warn me But I held my head…
The New Low I don't think I can listen to another lie you're…
The Relapse Symphony Stop talking It's my turn, These words are gonna burn The tr…
The Statler Brothers Found some letters you wrote me this morning they told…
The Summer Obsession Mission accomplished Do you feel regret breathing down your…
The TVC I've been wandering This desert Searching for a grain Of wh…
The Wilburn Brothers Found some letters you wrote me this morning and they…
Through the Flood Betrayal writhes on the tip of her wretched tongue Under tra…
Tony Carey All alone in a big bad world don't make no sense…
V.A. The moment I was walking (Yea) Thought I got lucky (Uh) Bitc…
Victims Kill your environment And then disable the breaks Then bur…
voidboy Left right up Smoke my cookies up Momma said she love me I'v…
Willis Earl Beal Your flaming face is the fire of fools My lonely cart…
World On Edge Last night I hurt you I said some things for which…
Status Quo Building dreams has always been my way Making time and livin…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Marvin Rainwater:
A Whole Lotta Woman It takes a whole lotta lovin' Just to keep my…
Albino Stallion In Arizona's desert lores a legend goes about a horse…
Albino (Pink Eyed) Stallion In Arizona's desert lores a legend goes about a horse…
Baby Don't Go {Son, don't go near the Indians Please stay away Son, don't …
Boo Hoo I'm gonna leave this lonesome town I'm gonna change my name…
Gonna Find Me a Bluebird Gonna find me a bluebird Let him sing me a song 'Cause…
Whole Lotta Woman It takes a whole lotta lovin' Just to keep my…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found