History
Their first album was released in 1988 and was titled Who?. The album went gold and had several hit singles. The first of these, "Little Walter", went to #1 on the R&B charts. While none of the singles went gold, the next three singles, "Born Not To Know", "For The Love Of You" and "Baby Doll" were all Top 10 R&B singles.
Firmly establishing themselves, the group's second album The Revival was released in 1990 and reached platinum status. The album spawned several #1 R&B hits with "It Never Rains", "Feels Good", and "Whatever You Want", all topping the R&B charts. "Feels Good" was the group's first single to breach the Top 10 of the Hot 100 and managed to go gold.
Furthering the group's success, they released their best selling album to date, Sons Of Soul, in 1993. The album went double platinum and had hit singles: "If I Had No Loot" which hit #7 on the Hot 100, "Anniversary" which reached #10 on the Hot 100, and "(Lay Your Head On My) Pillow" which reached #4 on the R&B charts.
In 1996, the group released their last album to date, House of Music. The album lacked the strong singles of earlier entries, only getting "Thinking Of You" into the top 10 on the R&B charts but the album still managed to go platinum.
Raphael Saadiq released his first solo effort, the Top 20 Billboard hit "Ask of You" from the Higher Learning soundtrack, in 1995. Around the same time, Saadiq became a much-sought-after R&B producer, scoring hits for D'Angelo, Total, The Roots and others. Later in the 2000s, he started a solo career, releasing two albums, Instant Vintage (2002) and Ray Ray (2004).
In 2003, most members of Tony! Toni! Toné! except for Saadiq were invited by Alicia Keys to guest on her album The Diary of Alicia Keys. The song that resulted from that session was called "Diary", and when it was released as a single in the fall of 2004, it gave them their first Top 10 US hit in eleven years. In 2005, Dwayne Wiggins became the band leader for the Weekends at the D.L. television show hosted by comedian D. L. Hughley, which airs on the Comedy Central cable network.
In 2006, the group reunited for the New Jack Reunion Tour, running throughout the U.S.
It Never Rains (In Southern California
Tony Toni Toné Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't wait till I get there
Just to kiss and squeeze and hug
Girl you know the rest 'cause they tell me
It never rains in southern California
It never rains in southern California
And you can pick me up about 8
I don't know what airline girl
But I know it won't be late 'cause they tell me
It never rains in southern California
It never rains in southern California
Now I can't sleep at night
Without your 8 x 10 by my side
That day will come
For us to be together
I'm not worried 'bout a thing
Not even stormy weather
Oh it may be cold on the east coast
But on the other side of town it never rains
We have so much to talk about
A lot a catchin' up to do
I'll bring the diamond girl
Because I'm so into you
Cause they tell me
It never rains in southern California
It never rains in southern California
Now since I'll be here at your place
Lets take a weeks trip for two
We don't have to go to far
Just as long as I'm with you
'cause they tell me
It never rains in southern California
It never rains in southern California
Can we just be alone
Without those other strangers
Calling your phone
Now I don't want to be
That selfish kind of guy
But tonight let me take you
On a natural high
Just me and you alone
Now it may be cold on the east coast
But on the other side of town it never rains
Now it may be cold on the east coast
But on the other side of town it never rains
It never rains in southern California
It never rains in southern California
It never rains in southern California
It never rains in southern California
Now it may be cold on the east coast
But on the other side of town it never rains
Now it may be cold on the east coast
But on the other side of town it never rains
It never rains in southern California
It never rains in southern California
It never rains in southern California
The lyrics of Tony Toni Tone's "It Never Rains (In Southern California)" tell the story of a man who hasn't seen his lover in a year, but is excited to reunite with her. He plans to fly out to California and spend time with her, as he believes that it never rains in Southern California, indicating that he believes there will be no obstacles to their reunion. He expresses his love and desire for her, promising to bring her a diamond and take her on a trip. The chorus repeats the idea that it never rains in Southern California, reinforcing his belief in a happy outcome.
The song is an example of West Coast R&B, which emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a counterpart to the dominant sound of East Coast hip hop. The West Coast sound was characterized by a slower, smoother style that incorporated elements of funk and soul. Tony Toni Tone were one of the most successful groups in this genre, having several hits in the early 1990s.
The lyrics of "It Never Rains (In Southern California)" reflect the optimism and laid-back attitude that were central to the West Coast R&B sound. The song's narrator is confident that everything will work out for him and his lover, and he trusts in the legendary weather of Southern California to guarantee their happiness. However, the repetition of the chorus, along with the singer's anxiety about being alone without his lover, hints at a certain underlying insecurity about their relationship that he is trying to overcome.
Overall, "It Never Rains (In Southern California)" is a romantic, upbeat song that reflects the spirit of its time and place. It remains a popular example of the West Coast R&B sound and a classic song of 1990s music.
Line by Line Meaning
I haven't seen your face in a year
It's been so long since I've seen you
I can't wait till I get there
I'm looking forward to seeing you so much
Just to kiss and squeeze and hug
I miss your physical presence and affection
Girl you know the rest 'cause they tell me
I don't need to say it, you already know how I feel and what I want to do
It never rains in southern California
The weather in southern California is consistently sunny
Maybe I'll take the flight out tonight
I'm considering coming to see you very soon
And you can pick me up about 8
I need you to pick me up from the airport
I don't know what airline girl
I haven't decided on a specific airline yet
But I know it won't be late 'cause they tell me
I'm confident that the flight won't be delayed because of what I've heard
Now I can't sleep at night
I miss you so much that I struggle to sleep without you
Without your 8 x 10 by my side
I need a picture of you to comfort me when we're apart
That day will come
We will be reunited eventually
For us to be together
We belong together
I'm not worried 'bout a thing
I have complete faith in our love and future together
Not even stormy weather
No obstacle, not even a weather challenge, can come between us
Oh it may be cold on the east coast
The weather in other parts of the country may not be as nice as southern California
But on the other side of town it never rains
But southern California is always sunny
We have so much to talk about
There's so much we need to catch up on
A lot a catchin' up to do
We've been apart for so long, we need to update each other on our lives
I'll bring the diamond girl
I want to gift you something special
Because I'm so into you
I love you so much
Now since I'll be here at your place
Now that I'm with you
Lets take a weeks trip for two
Let's go on a romantic vacation together
We don't have to go to far
We don't need to travel to a distant location
Just as long as I'm with you
As long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter where we go
'cause they tell me
I heard that we'll have a great time no matter where we go
Can we just be alone
I want to be with you without any distractions
Without those other strangers
I don't want to be around other people right now
Calling your phone
I don't want your phone to keep interrupting us
Now I don't want to be
I don't want to come across as
That selfish kind of guy
I don't want to be seen as selfish
But tonight let me take you
But tonight, I want to focus solely on us
On a natural high
Feeling happy and content just being together without anything else
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLEMON TIMOTHY JR. RILEY, RAPHAEL SAADIQ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DavidRichardson95
There will NEVER be another Tony Toni Tone. Their catalog is as flawless, impeccable and timeless as the years go by. They are simply in their own lane.
@foreign_gee8564
It’s never going to be real R&B again. To many false gangsters 😢
@tlc8165
Did you see they released their tour dates yesterday !!! I’m going to the Detroit show.
@bigtime4606
@@tlc8165Original members of Tony Toni Tone interview, https://youtu.be/J2PC7QRphfo
@bigtime4606
Original members of Tony Toni Tone interview, https://youtu.be/J2PC7QRphfo
@MrTPain
STRUTTIN'🎉
@angelareddick134
This song never gets old. One of my favorites.
@invisiblerevolution
Who you tellin!!!!! 👏🏾
@TheVLO1
This songs takes me back to the days when I was supposed to be asleep for school the next day, but I would stay up listening to the Love Hour on the radio very quietly.
@MICHAELHOLMES-xf4rm
ONE OF THE BEST JAMS
OF THE 90'S...STILL
SOUNDS GREAT
A TIMELESS JAM