He became widely known for his version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" (1982), as well as his own compositions "Durham Town (The Leavin')" (1969) and "I Don't Believe in If Anymore" (1970), his 1970 hit "New World in the Morning" and his 1975 hit "The Last Farewell" (his only single to hit the US Billboard Hot 100, making it to the Top 20).
Whittakers first chart success came in 1969 when "Durham Town (The Leavin')" was his first UK Top 20 hit. In 1970 came two follow-up hits, "I Don't Believe In If Anymore" (Top 10) and "New World In The Morning" (Top 20), and 1971 brought two smaller hit singles "Why" and "Mamy Blue".
Whittaker was absent from the UK singles chart until 1975, when "The Last Farewell" went Top 3, after which it was another eleven years until "Skye Boat Song" returned him to the Top 10 of the singles chart.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Whittaker had success in Germany, with German language songs produced by Nick Munro (unable to speak German at that time, Whittaker sang the songs phonetically). In time he became more fluent in German and sang and was interviewed in German on Danish television in November 2008. Whittaker retired from touring in 2013.
Fire And Rain
Roger Whittaker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Susanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
You've got to help me make a stand
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
And I won't make it any other way
Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around
Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things
to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you, baby, one more time again, now
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around, now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you fire and rain, now
Roger Whittaker's "Fire and Rain" is a poignant song about the ups and downs of life. The opening lines are an announcement that someone has died, and the rest of the song is a reflection on the singer's experiences. He remembers times of joy and comfort, but also the loneliest of hours. He's longed to see a loved one again who has died so abruptly. In the chorus, he compares his memories to natural phenomena, such as fire and rain, and the feelings they inspire. The music burns and breaks like fire, and the lyrics are as heavy as the rain.
The singer implores Jesus for help in the second verse, asking for guidance and strength. He remembers how hard it can be to make it through the toughest of days, and that he can only do it through faith. In the final verse, the song becomes more hopeful, with the singer reflecting on an easier time, when he was young and life was simpler. But he also knows that things don't always end well, with the image of a fallen airplane serving as a reminder of the fragility of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
I was told recently that you passed away
Susanne the plans they made put an end to you
The arrangements made for you resulted in your untimely death
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I felt inspired to write a song about my feelings this morning
I just can't remember who to send it to
I don't know who to share this song with
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I have experienced joy and pain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I have experienced happiness that felt eternal
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
I have felt isolated and lacked companionship
But I always thought that I'd see you again
But I believed that I would have the chance to see you once more
Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
Please help and guide me, Jesus
You've got to help me make a stand
I need your help to stand strong
You've just got to see me through another day
Please help me get through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
My physical and emotional state is wearing me down
And I won't make it any other way
I can't do this on my own
Been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun
I have been reminiscing about better days while ignoring my present reality
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around
The challenges life brings can be disorienting and overwhelming
Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
There is plenty of time to discuss what is yet to happen over the phone
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
Hopes and aspirations can often come crashing down
Thought I'd see you one more time again
I really hoped to have one more encounter with you
There's just a few things coming my way this time around, now
There are only a few opportunities left for me at this point
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you fire and rain, now
I really thought I would get to see you again, no matter what obstacles came my way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jackson Kids
With the full orchestra and Roger Whittaker's voice, I would say this version is better than the OG
sylo diablo
right up there with my all time favourites
bart l.j.p. roijakkers
fenomenaal(dutch) vandaag bij bart de win en henny groot antink in nuenen parkhotel geweest(sundays with bart de win presenteert henny groot antink:speelden dit lied van james taylor,maar ik ken het van roger whittaker.ik wist alleen niet hoe het lied heette.nu vandaag 21 4 2013 gevonden.deed mij denken aan melissa van de crosskeys in london,en de tape die ik in london kocht 1998 1999 van roger whittaker
Will Barr
"I'm often asked what other artist's music I enjoy butchering..."
Tyler Jackson .
Go to hell. Roger Whittaker did fantastic, like he does with all his music. One could argue that this version is superior to James Taylor's
Tyler Jackson
Haters everywhere.
Tyler Jackson
@Will Barr Sure, his style of music isn't for everyone, but if you don't like it then just don't listen to it. It's that simple