Their debut album 'Memory Comes Back' (1996) was released for the respected indie label Lazy Dog and received enthusiastic reviews upon release as did it's follow up, 'Nostalgia', released in late 1998.
In Spring 2001 Raining Pleasure were linked with EMI. The band recorded and released an ep 'Capricorn', before returning to the studio to prepare their third full length album, their first for a major.
In December 2001 Raining Pleasure's major label debut 'Flood' was released to critical acclaim. The album spawned three massive airplay hits in Greece, the biggest of which 'Fake' has become a pop and rock radio staple, after successfully being used in TV spots for Greece's leading telecommunications company. 'Fake' was followed by the hits 'Capricorn' and 'Only Through You'. "Fake" was also used to the soundtrack of the film "The Best of Times" directed by the famous Taiwanese director Tso-chi Chang. The film was nominated for the Golden Lion prize at the Venice Film Festival 2002.
The buzz surrounding the group is fantastic and has taken many by surprise. In Rock N Roll Magazine 2002 readers' poll the group was voted best Greek rock act of all time, a humbling vote of confidence for an act that has been around for just over 5 years.
Raining Pleasure have been one of the hottest tickets across Greece for three summers running, having shared festival stages with The Cure, The Pixies, The Dandy Warhols and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club among others and having sold out theatres across the country.
Their major label debut album, 'Flood', performed exceptionally well on the charts, spending 15 weeks on the international chart where it peaked at No.1 before chart regulations necessitated the album's move to the local repertoire chart where it peaked at No.5 (an astonishing and unprecedented feat for a Greek act performing in English). The album spent well over a year on the Top 40 Artist Album Charts and has been certified Gold.
2004: The group's album 'Forwards & Backwards', is introduced by the double A-side single 'World'/'Identical Twins'. On 'Identical Twins' esteemed vocalist Elly Paspala contributes a vocal track of rare beauty. Both songs became airplay hits.
In March the band's cover of ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' featured in the successful Greek film 'Hardcore', began climbing the airplay charts where it will remain for over six months. In September the group scores another hit with album track 'Love Me, Love Me, Love Me' which video clip directed by Marina Gioti won the best animation video clip award at the Animation Block Party Awards 2005 in New York.
Winter 2004: The band embarks on its first tour of Germany and enters the studio to record a new version of the classic album by Manos Hadjidakis and the New York Rock N Roll Ensemble, 'Reflections'.
'Reflections' is released to immediate critical acclaim. The album was introduced to media at a concert at St Paul's Anglican Church in Athens.
Their latest album 'Who's gonna tell Juliet?' is released in December 2007 in Greece on their new indie label Celesta Records. It is a unique and unusual alternative pop record, described as a fervent guitar driven pop gem with strong melodies, smart lyrics and compelling vocals.
Check also their official site
Rainbow
Raining Pleasure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
she would only appear with the rainfall
and the winds and the earth and the fire
would know her name
She would only please me
might as well relief my heart
from the pain the guilt and the pouring confusion
All the flames around
dance on solid ground
all the things I've done
I'm not bad it is
just my way to
cope with
my fears
All this crazy crowd
beggars thieves and clowns
you will greet them but
you can't really
smile at my weakness
little darling
could it be that it's yours too?
could it be that it's yours my darling?
could it be that it yours, when
Here comes the rainbow
all God's grace will find space in a short name
memories dying, all angels abiding
in one sweet face
Now my body is crying
I was born at the age that Jesus died
God I would run, I would hide
but you're already living inside
All the flames around
dance on solid ground
they will enter my spine
they will serve me your wine
it's just a matter of time
In your sparkling eyes
your Gioconda smiles
I die, and though you still can't really
smile at my weakness
little darling
could it be that you want me?
could it be that you like me baby?
could it be that you love me too?
The song "Rainbow" by Raining Pleasure speaks about the power of love and its ability to heal and bring joy. The lyrics compare the love of a woman to a rainbow that only appears after the rain, representing her ability to bring hope and happiness after difficult times. The elements of nature - the winds, the earth, and the fire - are personified and speak of her greatness. She is a source of relief to the singer, easing the pain, guilt, and confusion in his heart.
The singer seems to have a complicated backstory, struggling with his fears and weakness. He explains that coping with his issues is his way of dealing with them, and the things he has done do not make him a bad person. He describes the people around him as beggars, thieves, and clowns, but the woman he loves is different from them. His love for her is pure and sincere, and he wonders if she feels the same way.
The chorus brings hope and new beginnings. The rainbow, a metaphor for love, brings God's grace and signifies a new chapter in the singer's life. He feels that he has been reborn, and his body is crying with happiness. He explains that he was born at the age that Jesus died, emphasizing his humility and vulnerability. He feels that God is already living inside him, bringing him peace and direction.
The song concludes with a beautiful imagery of the woman's eyes, sparkling with joy and love. Her smile is compared to that of Gioconda's, and the singer feels like he is dying while looking at her. He hopes that she loves him too, and wonders if she wants him as much as he wants her.
Line by Line Meaning
She was a rainbow
She was unique and magical, only appearing during rainfall.
she would only appear with the rainfall
Her presence was elusive, only coming with the arrival of rain.
and the winds and the earth and the fire
would know her name
The forces of nature recognized her as a part of their harmony.
She would only please me
might as well relief my heart
from the pain the guilt and the pouring confusion
Falling on me
She brought comfort to the artist, easing his emotional burdens.
All the flames around
dance on solid ground
all the things I've done
I'm not bad it is
just my way to
cope with
my fears
The artist reflects on his actions, acknowledging that his coping mechanisms may not be healthy but denies being a bad person.
All this crazy crowd
beggars thieves and clowns
you will greet them but
you can't really
smile at my weakness
little darling
could it be that it's yours too?
could it be that it's yours my darling?
could it be that it yours, when
The singer feels inadequate in the presence of society but wonders if the same feelings are shared by his lover.
Here comes the rainbow
all God's grace will find space in a short name
memories dying, all angels abiding
in one sweet face
The arrival of the rainbow is an occasion of divine grace and beloved memories.
Now my body is crying
I was born at the age that Jesus died
God I would run, I would hide
but you're already living inside
The artist feels helpless and overwhelmed by his experiences but finds solace in the thought that his lover already exists within him.
All the flames around
dance on solid ground
they will enter my spine
they will serve me your wine
it's just a matter of time
The artist feels entranced by the world and the experiences it offers him, and is confident that he will receive a gift from his lover soon.
In your sparkling eyes
your Gioconda smiles
I die, and though you still can't really
smile at my weakness
little darling
could it be that you want me?
could it be that you like me baby?
could it be that you love me too?
In his lover's eyes, the artist finds comfort even though he still doubts her acceptance of his flaws.
Contributed by Anna F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.