| Mandolin Rain | |
| Cover: | Bruce Hornsby - Mandolin Rain single cover.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Bruce Hornsby and the Range |
| Album: | The Way It Is |
| B-Side: |
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| Released: | December 1986[1] |
| Recorded: | 1985 |
| Genre: | Soft rock |
| Length: | 5:19 (album version) 4:45 (single mix) |
| Label: | RCA |
| Prev Title: | On the Western Skyline |
| Prev Year: | 1986 |
| Next Title: | The Valley Road |
| Next Year: | 1988 |
"Mandolin Rain" is the third track from The Way It Is, the debut album for Bruce Hornsby and the Range. The song was co-written by Bruce Hornsby and his brother John, and featured Range member David Mansfield on the title instrument.
Co-writer of the song John Hornsby said the song is about missing someone badly. "...it’s about trying to pull through when so many things remind you of her – a tune, a ferry whistle, mainly a summer storm."[2]
The song, released in late 1986, peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1987, following on the success of their previous single, the #1 hit and title track to their debut album, "The Way It Is". It also reached number one on the adult contemporary chart for three weeks,[3] and number two on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for two weeks, also in early 1987. The song peaked at number 38 on the country chart.
| Chart (1987) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 14 | |
| Canada Adult Contemporary Tracks (RPM) | 1 | |
| Canada Country Singles (RPM) | 49 | |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[4] | 70 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 4 | |
| US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard) | 2 | |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 1 | |
| US Hot Country Singles (Billboard)[5] | 38 |
. Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Joel Whitburn . 2002 . Record Research . 118.