Among a number of groups who helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s, including The Miracles, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Supremes, The Four Tops were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer; most groups of the time were fronted by a tenor. The group was the main male vocal group for the songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who crafted for the group a stream of popular hit singles, including two #1 hits: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There". After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Wilson. When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops stayed in Detroit and moved over to ABC Records, where they continued to have charting singles into the late-1970s. Since the 1980s, The Four Tops have recorded for, at various times, Motown, Casablanca Records, and Arista Records.
As an unofficial record, it is believed that The Four Tops were the band to continue performing the longest without a lineup change. Levi Stubbs, Abdul Fakir, Renaldo Benson and Lawrence Payton sang together as the Four Tops from 1954 until 1997, when Lawrence Payton died of cancer. That's an astonishing 43 years without a lineup change. The three surviving members continued to tour as "The Tops."
RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD
The Four Tops Lyrics
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And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothing seems to fit
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling
So I just did me some talking to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he got things done
Sleeping on the job
But there's one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me
Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me
Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me
The Four Tops's song "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" is a ballad about the singer's perspective on the rain and how it affects their emotions. In the first verse, the rain represents an obstacle that makes them feel uncomfortable, just like a person with oversized feet can't find a comfortable position in bed. However, the rain won't defeat them. In the second verse, the singer talks to the sun and expresses their dissatisfaction with the way things are going, as they believe the sun is sleeping on the job. However, they remain optimistic and conclude that the blues won't defeat them, and happiness will soon step up to greet them.
While the song may sound cheerful, it deals with the universal topic of overcoming adversity. The lyrics imply that while circumstances may not always work in our favor, we have control over our attitudes and reactions to them. Complaining and crying won't help us stop the rain or solve the problem, and freedom from worries comes from accepting and embracing the situation we are in.
Overall, the song's message conveys the importance of embracing a positive mindset, even in the face of challenges. It emphasizes the need to remain optimistic and not let obstacles hold us back from pursuing happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Raindrops keep falling on my head
I am constantly being hit by adversity, much like raindrops that are continuously falling from the sky.
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothing seems to be going in my favor.
Nothing seems to fit
I feel out of place and frustrated.
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling
Despite my efforts, I am unable to avoid the constant obstacles that come my way.
So I just did me some talking to the sun
I tried to change my situation by addressing the source of the problem.
And I said I didn't like the way he got things done
I expressed my dissatisfaction with the way things were going.
Sleeping on the job
I feel like the person or thing responsible for my problems is not doing their job properly.
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling
Despite my efforts, I am still facing adversity.
But there's one thing I know
Despite my current struggles, I am aware of one thing.
The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me
I am confident that the negative feelings and emotions I experience will not overpower me.
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me
I am optimistic that soon I will experience joy and positivity.
Raindrops keep falling on my head
Despite my optimism, I am still facing adversity.
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
I am not going to allow the challenges I face to bring me to tears.
Crying's not for me
I am not the type of person who breaks down and cries.
Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
I understand that complaining will not change my circumstances.
Because I'm free
I am at peace with my current situation.
Nothing's worrying me
I am not worried about the future or the challenges it may bring.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David, BURT F. BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind