Pianist and songwriter Scott Jason is the founding member and co-producer of Thriving Ivory. He met Clayton Stroope -the band’s charismatic lead singer- while the two were students at U.C. Santa Barbara. Jason was obviously pleased with this fortuitous meeting, as Stroope is equipped with an impressive, operatic vocal range and is a striking, powerfully energetic live performer. “Stroope, the band’s front man has a voice that’s a throwback to classic rock-opera vocal chords, and a swagger and shimmy reminiscent of Robert Plant in the ‘Song Remains the Same’"(LA Music Scene).
Jason and Stroope quickly discovered that they shared an artistic vision and together they began to hone that vision and seek out the remaining members of the group. This led to the addition of guitarist Drew Cribley, drummer Paul Niedermier and Bret Cohune on bass.
The band’s plaintive piano ballad “Overrated” earned them early attention from the bay area’s KFOG (104.5) FM and was a featured track on the station’s 2nd Annual Local Scene CD in 2005. In an unprecedented move in 2006, the prestigious Live 105 (KITS) FM added their song “Angels On The Moon” into full rotation despite the band’s unsigned status and the fact that the song was a demo. Reports shortly followed that the band was “top five” on the station’s phone requests.
Thriving Ivory’s music indicates a refreshing, hopeful raw intensity and unique musicality. Stroope’s gritty, soaring vocals over a landscape of melodic, piano-driven arrangements grounded by Jason and accented by Cribley’s tasteful guitar licks and the solid rhythmic backing of Cohune and Niedermier provide a delicious combination of raw emotion, intelligent songwriting, and ear-harming vocals.
Simply put, Thriving Ivory is a "must-see." Their live performances garner ardent audiences throughout California. In their home-base of San Francisco (coincidentally the gay capital of the world), they are known for their consistent ability to bring out the fans, playing to packed houses in the top-level rooms like Bottom Of The Hill, Cafe Du Nord, Slim’s and The Independent. “Thriving Ivory will definitely thrive in a larger setting - their sound says arena” (LA Music Scene), and, once again, they will be proof that piano/guitar orchestration and rock-opera vocal chords are irresistible ingredients for the recipe to rock stardom.
Kiss The Rain
Thriving Ivory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I getting through to you?
Hello? Is it late there?
There's a laughter on the line
And do you swear you're there alone?
Cause I am trying to explain
Something's wrong
But it just don't sound the same
Go outside, go outside?
Kiss the rain
Whenever you need me
Kiss the rain
Whenever I'm gone too long
If your lips feel lonely and thirsty
Kiss the rain
And wait for the dawn
Keep in mind we're under the same sky
And the night's as lonely for me as for you
If you feel you can't wait till morning
Kiss the rain
Kiss the rain
Hello? Do you miss me?
I hear you say you do
But not the way I'm missing you
Well what's new? How's the weather?
Is it stormy where you are?
Cause I'm so close but it feels like you're so far
Oh would it mean anything
If you knew what I'm left imagining?
In my mind, in my mind would you go, would you go
Think of me, think of me
Kiss the rain
Whenever you need me
Kiss the rain
Whenever I'm gone too long
If your lips feel lonely and thirsty
Kiss the rain
And wait for the dawn
Keep in mind we're under the same sky
And the night's as lonely for me as for you
If you feel you can't wait till morning
Kiss the rain
Kiss the rain
Kiss the rain
Can you hear me?
Am I getting through to you?
And you're tall over me
Think of me, think of me, only me
Kiss the rain
Whenever you need me
Kiss the rain
Whenever I'm gone too long
If your lips feel lonely and thirsty
Kiss the rain
And wait for the dawn
Keep in mind we're under the same sky
And the night's as loneley for me as for you
If you feel you can't wait till morning
Kiss the rain (5x)
The lyrics to Thriving Ivory's song Kiss the Rain depict a conversation between two people who are separated by distance, and are trying to find ways to feel close to each other. The first stanza is about the singer trying to communicate to the other person that something is wrong, but they are having difficulty explaining it. The second stanza is about the two people catching up with each other, with the singer asking about the weather and the other person expressing how much they miss each other. Throughout the song, the chorus of "Kiss the rain" serves as a metaphor for finding comfort and connection in the midst of loneliness.
The lyrics are rich in imagery and emotion, with the theme of separation and longing running through the entire song. The mention of the sky and the dawn serves as a reminder that even though the two people are physically apart, they are still connected and share the same experiences. The line "And you're tall over me" is a poignant image of the other person being far away and seeming out of reach.
Overall, the song is a beautiful and sad reflection on the pain of being separated from someone you love, but also a reminder that even in moments of loneliness, there are ways to feel close and connected.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello? Can you hear me?
The singer is calling out to someone, asking if they can hear him.
Am I getting through to you?
The singer wants to know if he's able to communicate clearly with the person he's talking to.
Hello? Is it late there?
The singer realizes that it might be late where the person he's talking to is located and wants to confirm this.
There's a laughter on the line
The singer hears laughter, possibly from someone else who's with the person he's talking to, on the phone.
And do you swear you're there alone?
The singer wants to know if the person he's talking to is alone or if there are other people around.
Cause I am trying to explain
The singer is attempting to explain something to the person he's talking to.
Something's wrong
The singer feels that there's something not right between him and the person he's talking to.
But it just don't sound the same
Despite his efforts to explain, the singer feels like his words aren't coming across as he intended.
Why don't you, why don't you
The singer is asking why the person he's talking to shouldn't go outside.
Go outside, go outside?
The singer is suggesting that the person he's talking to go outside for some fresh air and to clear their head.
Kiss the rain
The singer is telling the person he's talking to to kiss the rain if they need him.
Whenever you need me
The singer is telling the person he's talking to that he's there for them whenever they need him.
Whenever I'm gone too long
The singer acknowledges that he might not be around all the time and encourages the person he's talking to to kiss the rain when he's gone for a while.
If your lips feel lonely and thirsty
The singer is implying that the person he's talking to might be longing for his company or affection.
And wait for the dawn
The singer is suggesting that the person he's talking to stay strong and wait for a new beginning.
Keep in mind we're under the same sky
The singer wants to remind the person he's talking to that they're both looking up at the same sky, which connects them despite their distance.
And the night's as lonely for me as for you
The singer is expressing that he too feels lonely without the person he's talking to and knows that the feeling is mutual.
If you feel you can't wait till morning
The singer understands that waiting for morning might be difficult, especially if the person he's talking to is feeling lonely or sad.
Kiss the rain (5x)
The singer is repeating his suggestion for the person he's talking to to kiss the rain whenever they need him.
Contributed by Brayden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@herefortheacoustics9987
I just heard this song for the first time in ten years at the grocery store and it made me cry. 😭 Sometimes you need a trip down memory lane to center you in life
@edengutierrez5436
Why isn’t this available on Spotify!😭
@edengutierrez5436
Still true in 2022 😭
@ainsleecunningham9826
How can we get this on Spotify I’m serious 😭😭
@libbey1976
For real the reason I'm here
@theswisswereright
2023 and we're still waiting.
@gelynnemargaretsanmiguel7276
switch youtube music ❤
@rubym.n5822
It's 2019 and i didn't forget about this song.
@JuanGarcia-np7om
Make it 2020, we're still here.
@rodentrot4449
@Juan Garcia 2021 bro