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.
Whole Lotta Woman
Marvin Rainwater Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to keep my baby happy
It takes a whole lotta kissin'
And a whole lotta holdin' her hand
It takes a whole lotta lovin'
Just to keep my baby happy
'Cause she's a whole lotta woman
And she's gotta have a whole lotta man
Well when she loves me
She loves me so hard
She almost make-a me mad
And when she kiss me
Well she don't kiss me
I know I've been had
It takes a whole lotta lovin'
Just to keep my baby happy
It takes a whole lotta kissin'
And a whole lotta holdin' her hand
It takes a whole lotta lovin'
Just to keep my baby happy
Cause she's a whole lotta woman
And she's gotta have a whole lotta man
Marvin Rainwater's song, "Whole Lotta Woman," describes the singer's experience of loving his partner, who is, as the title suggests, a whole lotta woman. The song conveys the idea that loving his partner requires a lot of effort as she is a demanding woman who needs a lot of love, attention, and affection. The lyrics suggest that it takes a lot of kissing and holding her hand to keep her happy. The repetition of the phrase "whole lotta lovin'" and "whole lotta woman" emphasizes the intense, unrelenting nature of the singer's relationship with his partner.
Moreover, the lyrics also imply that this woman is difficult to handle, as the singer says that his partner loves him so hard, it almost makes him mad. The line "when she kiss me, well she don't kiss me, I know I've been had" suggests that the woman is playing games with the singer, and he is aware of it, but still finds it difficult to resist her charm.
Overall, "Whole Lotta Woman" is a playful and energetic song that depicts the challenges and rewards of loving a demanding partner. The lyrics are full of witty humor, and the catchy chorus is easy to sing along with, making it a fun and enjoyable song to listen to.
Line by Line Meaning
It takes a whole lotta lovin'
It requires a significant amount of love
Just to keep my baby happy
only then can I satisfy her needs
It takes a whole lotta kissin'
I have to kiss her with great passion
And a whole lotta holdin' her hand
I need to hold her hand tightly and make her feel safe
Cause she's a whole lotta woman
Because she is a very attractive, sensual and irresistible lady
And she's gotta have a whole lotta man
She needs a man who can match her physically and emotionally
Well when she loves me
When she expresses her affection towards me
She loves me so hard
She does it with so much passion and intensity
She almost make-a me mad
Her love for me is so overwhelming and intense that I almost go insane
And when she kiss me
When she kisses me with love
Well she don't kiss me
However, sometimes I feel like she is not expressing her affection and love to me
I know I've been had
That's when I realize that she is keeping something hidden from me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN RAINWATER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joseph Kane
Just a brilliant hit single as it had topped the UK singles chart in 1958 as was done by Marvin Rainwater as it was called Whole Lotta Woman from 1958
Ray Beck
I first heard this record at a local dance hall, I liked it so much that I went and bought the album. I think it was in 1957 when I was sixteen. Unfortunately I no longer have the album, but Marvin was one of the artists who started my love of Country Music.
R.I.P.Marvin.Thanks for the posting,Regards Raybec.
GOLDBAND45rpm
Ray Beck i still have mine on a MGM 78!
Gordon Maxwell
The best
David Robinson
@GOLDBAND45rpm: I've still got my original MGM 45.
Richard Fisher
Love this song.
Joseph Kane
Another Timeless Classic hit single from Marvin Rainwater with his big hit single Called Whole Lotta Woman as it also topped the UK singles chart in 1958
John O'Sullivancalsmso
Marvin rocks!
Joseph Kane
Just a Fantastic single of 1958 as it is By Marvin Rainwater with his biggest selling single Whoe Lotta Woman as it topped the UK singles chart for him as I just love it
smegmalyzer
zero dislikes, thats what we want, great song