The Cult's debut studio album Dreamtime was released in 1984 to moderate success, with its lead single "Spiritwalker" reaching No. 1 on the UK Indie Chart. Their second studio album, Love (1985), was also successful, charting at No. 4 in the UK and including singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary" and "Rain". The band's third album, Electric (1987), launched them new heights of success, also peaking at No. 4 in the UK and charting highly in other territories, and spawned the hit singles "Love Removal Machine", "Lil' Devil" and "Wild Flower". On that album, The Cult supplemented their post-punk sound with hard rock; the polish on this new sound was facilitated by producer Rick Rubin. After moving to Los Angeles, California, where the band has been based for the remainder of their career, The Cult continued the musical experimentation of Electric with its follow-up album Sonic Temple (1989), which marked their first collaboration with Bob Rock, who would produce several of the band's subsequent albums. Sonic Temple was their most successful album to that point, entering the Top 10 on the UK and US charts, and included one of the band's most popular songs "Fire Woman".
By the time of their fifth album Ceremony (1991), tensions and creative differences began to surface among the band members. This resulted in the recording sessions for Ceremony being held without a stable lineup, leaving Astbury and Duffy as the only two official members left, and featuring support from session musicians on bass and drums. The ongoing tension had carried over within the next four years, during which they released one more studio album, The Cult (1994), and called it quits in 1995. The Cult reformed in 1999 and released their seventh album Beyond Good and Evil two years later. The commercial failure of the album and resurfaced tensions led to the band going back on hiatus in 2002. They resumed activity in 2006, and have since released three more studio albums: Born into This (2007), Choice of Weapon (2012), and Hidden City (2016).
According to music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine, the band fuse a "hardcore punk revivalist" sound with the "pseudo-mysticism ... of the Doors and Uriah Heep and the guitar-orchestrations of Led Zeppelin and The Cure ... while adding touches of post-punk goth rock". In 1985 Astbury said, "Our music is just melodies and guitars. We're like Big Country and U2, only better!".
On August 15, 2020, Duffy announced on his Twitter that the band were recording a new album with producer Tom Dalgety at Rockfield Studios, where The Cult had recorded their debut album Dreamtime 36 years earlier.
The Cult is also the name of a Las Vegas funk group that recorded one album in 1976, an Australian psych rock band that released one single in 1965, a UK punk band that released one 7" in 1980 and a garage rock band (featuring Allan Springfield of Chelsea Beige) that released two singles in 1965 and 1966.
Rain
The Cult Lyrics
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Like a desert sun that burns my skin
I've been waiting for her, for so long
Open the sky and let her come down
Here comes the rain
Here comes the rain
Here she comes again
Hot sticky scenes, you know what I mean
Like a desert sun that burns my skin
I've been waiting for her for so long
Open the sky and let her come down
Here comes the rain
Here comes the rain
Here she comes again
Here comes the rain
I love the rain
I love the rain
Here she comes again
Here comes the rain
Oh, rain
Rain
Rain
Oh, here comes the rain
I love the rain
Well, I love the rain
Here she comes again
I love the rain
Rain
Rain
The lyrics to The Cult's "Rain" are simple and repetitive, echoing the intense longing and desire that the singer feels for someone who is compared to the much-needed rain in a hot, dry desert. The singer describes the "hot sticky scenes" and burning sun, conveying a sense of discomfort and desperation for something that can bring relief. The repeated refrain of "here comes the rain" reflects the anticipation and hope that this person will finally arrive and provide the release from the oppressive conditions that the singer is experiencing. The singer declares their love for the rain, indicating that this person holds a powerful and transformative role in their life.
Overall, "Rain" is a song that speaks to the idea of desire and longing for something that can provide release from difficult circumstances. Through the powerful metaphor of rain, the song conveys a sense of desperation and hope that is relatable and moving.
Line by Line Meaning
Hot sticky scenes, you know what I mean
The intense and uncomfortable moments that come with desire and anticipation.
Like a desert sun that burns my skin
The feeling of longing and yearning that is so strong and overwhelming it's akin to the scorching heat of a desert sun on one's skin.
I've been waiting for her, for so long
The anticipation for someone's arrival has been building for an extended period.
Open the sky and let her come down
Expressing a strong desire and hope that this person will arrive soon, as if the universe could bring them down to earth.
Here comes the rain, Here comes the rain, Here she comes again, Here comes the rain
The arrival of this long-awaited person feels like the rain pouring down from the sky, and each time is just as exciting and refreshing as the last.
I love the rain, I love the rain, Here she comes again, Here comes the rain
The rain is symbolic of this person and the joy and relief their presence brings.
Oh, rain, Rain, Rain, Oh, here comes the rain
The repetition of this word emphasizes the importance of the symbol of the rain and the significant impact it has on the singer's emotions.
I love the rain, Well, I love the rain, Here she comes again, I love the rain
Reiterating the love of the rain is a way of expressing a love for this person and their continued presence in the artist's life.
Rain, Rain
The song ends with a final emphasis on the significance of the rain and the emotions it represents.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ian Astbury, William Duffy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind