One of Bacharach’s more famous, if not the most famous and certainly well-liked songs. This hugely popular tune is Bacharach at his best using a wide array of the orchestra, starting off with the simple guitar introduction, then ending the song with the whole orchestra in a completely different and more complicated rhythm.
The song’s lyrics are a mixture of a sort of tongue-in-cheek humour at how the singer isn’t completely satisfied with life, an example being about “nothing seems to fit”, in reference to “a guys feet being too big for his bed”, but they are also idealistic and delivered expertly by singer B.J. Thomas in a subtle and dream-like manner. With the line “I did me some talking to the sun...And I said I didn’t like the way he got things done” we can clearly see that the song is not written in the traditional blues style, but in a light-hearted and playful way.
The song is very a positive one overall. The lyrics in the chorus state that “the blues they send to meet me won’t defeat me...It won’t be long till happiness steps up to greet me”, again a deviation from more traditional styles of blues music, where the lyrics tend to be delivered in a more negative way. This song talks of overcoming sadness, and maintaining a positive attitude throughout, unlike other songs of its genre.
The end of the song gives the reason as to why this positive attitude is kept up during the song. Stating that “Crying is not for me”, the reason given is simply because the singer is free. His freedom is enough to overcome all the sadness that comes his way in life.
The melody also changes at the end of the song too, the soft gentle rhythm giving way to a synchopated orchestral riff, where the string section is accompanied by trumpets, almost a musical confirmation of the upbeat lyrics.
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head has been listened to and loved by generations of music-lovers, and personally is one of my favourite songs. If not for the positive and uplifting lyrics, I love this song for its tune, so simple yet perfect for the setting. Used in the bicycle scene in the 1969 Paul Newman and Robert Redford film, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, the song sums up the “devil-may-care” attitude of the two law-breakers, almost constantly on the run from authorities for living a life they only know how to live.
Feeling blue? Put on this song, sing along to the lyrics, and I guarantee that you will feel better afterwards as you can forget your problems and worries. Why? At least you’re free!
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