The Kingston Trio was formed in 1957 in the Palo Alto, California area by original lineup of Dave Guard (1934–1991), Bob Shane (1934–2020), and Nick Reynolds (1933–2008), who were just out of college. Greatly influenced by The Weavers, the calypso sounds of Harry Belafonte, and other semi-popular folk artists such as the Gateway Singers and the Tarriers, they were discovered playing at a college club called the Cracked Pot by Frank Werber, a local publicist then working at the Hungry i. He became their manager, and secured them a one-shot deal with Capitol Records.
Their first hit was a catchy rendition of an old-time folk song, "Tom Dooley", which went gold in 1958. It was so popular that it entered popular culture as a catchphrase: Ella Fitzgerald, for example, parodies it during her recorded version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". It won them the first Grammy award for Best Country & Western Performance in 1959. The next year, they won the first Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording category for the album The Kingston Trio at Large.
At one point in the early 1960s The Kingston Trio had four albums at the same time among the Top 10 selling albums, a record unmatched for nearly 40 years. In spite of this, they had a relatively small number of hit singles.
The group's music was simple and accessible, with much use of tight vocal harmony, signature riffs (often played on the banjo), and repetitive choruses. Capitol producer Voyle Gilmore[1] enhanced their vocal sound to great effect with reverb and the relatively new process of doubletracking, in which the performers sang along with their own pre-recorded part to produce a stronger sound than with a single voice, in part due to a natural time gap of a fraction of a second between the original recording and the overdubbed part. At first pairs of tape recorders were used, then later multitrack recording machines, to produce the effect.
Guard left the band in 1961 as part of a disagreement over its musical direction. He formed the group Whiskey Hill Singers, and was replaced by John Stewart, who led the group through several more years of popularity until the arrival of The Beatles and British invasion rock bands pushed them from the charts.
In 1967 the Trio disbanded after a final performance at the Hungry i, June 17, 1967.
Shane, the lone member to resist the break-up of the Trio, started a new group, aptly named, "The New Kingston Trio," in 1969. Eventually, Shane was successful in reaching a contractual agreement with his former partners, Guard, Reynolds, and Werber, to secure and license once again, the original name, "The Kingston Trio" (unencumbered by the adjective new), in 1976.(Blake et al. 1986.) Shane still owns the property today, 2006.
For a number of years in the 1980s Reynolds, one of the original three members, rejoined Shane.
In 2004 Shane retired from the group due to health problems. He was replaced by Bill Zorn, who had been with Shane in an iteration of the group called The New Kingston Trio; Zorn also has been a member of The Limeliters.
In 2005 Bobby Haworth (a one-time member of The Brothers Four) left the group to be replaced by Rick Dougherty, who also had been a member of The Limeliters.
As of 2006, The Kingston Trio consisted of George Grove, Bill Zorn and Rick Dougherty.
in October 2017, Grove, Zorn, and Dougherty were replaced as the Trio by new licensees Reynolds and Marvin and their friend, Tim Gorelangton. In 2018, Josh Reynolds left the group and was replaced by Bob Haworth, who became a member of the band for the third time. At the end of 2018, Haworth left the group and was replaced by Don Marovich.
I Like to Hear the Rain
The Kingston Trio Lyrics
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I like to hear the rain when you're lying by my side, 'neath the fireplace, so soft and warm.
I like to hear the rain when you're locked inside my arms and I know you feel safe from any harm.
Someday, when we're growing old, we'll make love like we do today.
Someday, when our baby's own his own, it will be so sweet remembering the way we shared our love today.
I like to hear the rain in the stillness of the night when I'm dreaming pretty dreams of you and me.
Someday, when we're growing old, I'll hold you like I do today.
Someday, when today is long ago, it will be so sweet remembering the way we shared our love today.
Someday, when we're growing old, we'll make love like we do today.
Someday, when our baby's own his own, it will be so sweet remembering the way we shared our love today.
The Kingston Trio's song "I Like to Hear the Rain" is a romantic ballad that celebrates the joys of being in love and sharing one's life with someone special. The song begins with a peaceful scene of two lovers lying by the fireplace, listening to the rain outside. The rain becomes a metaphor for the couple's love, providing a sense of comfort and safety from the stormy world outside.
As the song continues, the lyrics explore the idea of growing old together and reminiscing about the memories they have created. The singer imagines a future where they will continue to make love like they do today, despite the inevitable changes and challenges life will bring.
Through its nostalgic and poignant lyrics, "I Like to Hear the Rain" captures the enduring power of love and the comfort it can bring in even the most trying times. It speaks to the human desire for connection and the deep longing we all have to be truly seen and loved.
Line by Line Meaning
I like to hear the rain when you're lying by my side, 'neath the fireplace, so soft and warm.
The sound of rain soothes and relaxes me when I'm snuggled up with you by the warm, cozy fireplace.
I like to hear the rain when you're locked inside my arms and I know you feel safe from any harm.
The pitter-patter of raindrops outside makes me feel more protective of you, and I know you feel secure and protected in my embrace.
Someday, when we're growing old, we'll make love like we do today.
Despite the passage of time and the changes that come with aging, I hope our love and intimacy will remain as strong and meaningful as it is right now.
Someday, when our baby's own his own, it will be so sweet remembering the way we shared our love today.
As our child grows up and moves on with their life, I know we'll look back fondly on these moments of closeness and connection, knowing we made the most of them while we could.
I like to hear the rain in the stillness of the night when I'm dreaming pretty dreams of you and me.
The gentle patter of raindrops is a soothing backdrop to my dreams, which are filled with thoughts of you and our love together.
I like to hear the rain when you're locked inside my heart and I know you always ever be.
Even when we're apart or life takes us in different directions, your place in my heart remains steadfast and the sound of rain brings to mind that sense of continuity and loyalty.
Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.