Rain (Madonna song) explained

Rain
Cover:Madonna Rain cover.png
Alt:A close-up image of Madonna submerged with her head above water and her hands over her breasts.
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Madonna
Album:Erotica
B-Side:
Recorded:1992
Studio:Soundworks (New York)
Label:
  • Maverick
  • Sire
  • Warner Bros.
Producer:
  • Madonna
  • Shep Pettibone
Prev Title:Fever
Prev Year:1993
Next Title:Bye Bye Baby
Next Year:1993

"Rain" is a song by American singer Madonna from her fifth studio album, Erotica (1992). Written and produced by Madonna and Shep Pettibone, in Australia and most European countries, "Rain" was released as single on July 17, 1993. In the United Kingdom and the United States, it was issued on July 19 and August 5, respectively. It was then included on Madonna's 1995 compilation, Something to Remember. A pop ballad with elements of R&B, trip-hop, and New-age music, "Rain" has lyrics that liken water and rainfall to the power of love.

Critical reception towards "Rain" was generally positive. Critics deemed it a standout in Erotica, and one of the best ballads Madonna had released up to that point. Commercially, the single saw moderate success. In the United States, it reached the 14th spot of the Billboard Hot 100. It fared better in Canada and the United Kingdom, where it reached the chart's second spot and top-ten, respectively.

The accompanying music video was directed by Mark Romanek and finds Madonna singing in front of a Japanese film crew. It was awarded Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography at the MTV Video Music Awards. Madonna has performed "Rain" live on the Girlie Show (1993) and Celebration (2023–2024) concert tours. On 2008–2009's Sticky & Sweet Tour, it was used as video interlude. Additionally, "Rain" has been covered by multiple artists ―particularly for tribute albums― including Madonna's former backing vocalists Donna De Lory and Niki Haris.

Background and release

In early 1992, Madonna founded her own multi-media entertainment company Maverick, consisting of a record company (Maverick Records), a film production company (Maverick Films), and associated music publishing, television broadcasting, book publishing, and merchandising divisions.[1] The first two projects from the venture were her fifth studio album Erotica, and a coffee table book of photographs featuring Madonna, entitled Sex.[2] [3] For Erotica, Madonna primarily collaborated with American producer Shep Pettibone, with whom she had worked during the 1980s in remixes of several of her singles. According to author Mark Bego, the first batch of songs they worked on were the album's title track, "Deeper and Deeper", "Bad Girl", "Thief of Hearts", and "Rain". Pettibone would create the music and Madonna the lyrics.[4] They came up with "Rain" the night before Madonna was scheduled to come in to the studio; "it was a Sunday, it was raining - ha! - and she wrote the words, and sang the song and harmonies all in that day. ['Rain'] came together very quickly", recalled the producer.[5] According to author Matthew Rettenmund, "Rain" was intended to be part of a planned musical adaptation of the 1939 film Wuthering Heights that never came into fruition, set to be directed by Madonna's collaborator Alek Keshishian.

Recording took place at Astoria's Soundwork Studios on June 8, 1992.[6] Personnel working on the song included Pettibone on sequencing, keyboard arrangement, and programming; Anthony Shimkin was in charge of drum programming; Dennis Mitchell and Robin Hancock worked as recording engineers, and Goh Hotoda was the mixing engineer.[6] In Australia and most European countries, "Rain" was released on July 17, 1993. In the United Kingdom and the United States, it was issued as Eroticas final single on July 19 and August 5, respectively.[7] In 1995, "Rain" was added to Madonna's compilation album Something to Remember.[8]

Composition

"Rain" has been noted an "optimistic" pop ballad with influence of R&B, trip-hop, and New-age. It has been compared to the work of Peter Gabriel and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The lyrics use water and rainfall as a metaphor for being in love: Both are cleansing elements that "wash away" past heartache and pain. Joe Lynch from Billboard argued that it is a song that "envisions a love in the age of AIDS".[9] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, "Rain" is written in the key note of E major, set in the time signature of common time with a moderate pace tempo of 92 beats per minute.[10] It follows a chord progression of Bsus2–E6/9–F in the refrain, and later switches to E–F–B in the verses. The song's instrumentation seeks to evoke a "purifying effect", along with "turbulent elements associated with rain", such as raindrops and lightning bolts. This is achieved through rhythmic patterns and orchestra hits.

Towards the bridge, there is a key change from B major to C major, followed by two spoken parts and a harmony alongside it. Madonna recites out of the left and right channels, "By sheer force of will/I'll raise you from the ground/And without a sound, you'll appear and surrender to me, to love". Also present is a crescendo that refers the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" (1969), and marks, according to John Myers from Yahoo! Voices, an "escape from the deluge of the rain with the breaking of the sun".[11]

Critical reception

Upon release, "Rain" was generally well received by music critics, who deemed it one of the best tracks on Erotica, and one of the best ballads Madonna had released up to that point. On his review of Erotica, Billboards Larry Flick called it "gorgeous [...] though not as lyrically daring as [previous single] 'Bad Girl', ['Rain'] is a wonderfully constructed tune".[12] Writing for The Independent, Giles Smith said the song was the closest "to the Madonna of Like a Prayer as [''Erotica''] comes, a big and solemn ballad".[13] Idolators Stephen Sears considered it Eroticas "sole expression of pure love [...] a swooningly romantic" track that "revisits the oceanic sonic landscape" of 1986's "Live to Tell".[14] For Rolling Stone, Arion Berger highlighted "Rain" as one of the tracks that help Erotica sustain its "icy tone".[15] Madonna's vocals also received praise. Sal Cinquemani singled out her "rarely acknowledged harmonies", which Stephen Thomas Erlewine described as "comforting and consoling".[16] [17] By his part, Cash Boxs Troy J. Augusto noted that, "at times, [Madonna] almost sounds like Karen Carpenter, all tender and shy".[18] The song's new-age and R&B influences were also singled out for praise.[19] [20]

The song was not without criticism. While Matthew Jacobs from HuffPost opined "Rain" wasn't "terribly distinctive" from other ballads Madonna had released at the time, Rikky Rooksby —author of The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna— felt that the lyrical theme "had been used in countless [songs]".[21] Chris Willman for the Los Angeles Times, wrote that, "despite having crafted some of the best singles of the '80s, and despite being a genuine wit, Madonna can tend toward terribly banal rhymes", citing "Rain" as an example.[22] Even though she named it a standout track in Erotica, the Sun-Sentinels Barbara Walker referred to "Rain" as a "mere also-ran" in Madonna's catalogue.[23] Alfred Soto from Stylus Magazine dismissed the song as a "slushy rewrite of that year's 'This Used to Be My Playground', itself a slushy rewrite of Like a Prayers 'Promise to Try'".[24]

In retrospect, "Rain" has been ranked as one of Madonna's best by Billboard, Parade, The Backlot, The A.V. Club, and PinkNews. Rocco Papa from The Odyssey deemed it "one of the most beautiful songs on one of her most underrated albums".[25] In this vein, The Nationals Saeed Saeed named it an "ethereal beauty", and one of Madonna's "most criminally underrated" singles.[26] Mark Elliott from website This is Dig! referred to "Rain" as a perfect pop ballad, and added that it helped "wash away" the criticism Madonna was facing at the time, and "remind everyone that her art was as much about the power of love as it was the compelling draw of lust or even the wider platform of sexual politics".[27] In this vein, both Stephen Thomas Erlewine and Sal Cinquemani agreed that "Rain" paved the way for the "softer" "post-Sex" image and sound Madonna would adopt in the mid-1990s.[28] [29]

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Rain" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 52, in the issue dated July 24, 1993.[30] It ultimately peaked at number 14 on the week of September 11, spending a total of 20 weeks on the chart. Additionally, it reached the 30th and eleventh position on the Hot 100 Airplay and Hot Singles Sales charts, respectively.[31] [32] On Billboards Adult Contemporary chart, "Rain" peaked at number seven. By the end of 1993, it ranked 38th on the Adult Contemporary chart, and 67th on the Hot 100.[33] "Rain" is Madonna's 40th most successful single in the United States, according to Billboard magazine.[34] In Canada, the single debuted in the 95th position of RPMs Top Singles chart on the week of July 17, 1993.[35] Two months later, it peaked at number two behind Mariah Carey's "Dreamlover". "Rain" reached the seventh spot on RPMs Adult Contemporary chart, and was the 15th best-selling single of 1993 in Canada.[36]

In the United Kingdom, "Rain" debuted at the 10th position of the UK Singles Chart on July 31, 1993, and, one week later, peaked at number seven. The song spent 8 weeks on the chart overall, and gave Madonna her 34th top-ten single in the country. According to Music Week magazine, over 130,000 copies of the single have been sold in the United Kingdom as of 2008.[37] In Australia, the song debuted at number 21 on the charts before rising and peaking at number five. It was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments of 35,000 copies. It was less successful in New Zealand, where it barely cracked the top 20. Reception towards the single in Europe was moderate: It reached the top-ten in Ireland and Italy,[38] and the top 20 in Sweden and Switzerland. "Rain" reached the top 30 in Austria and Germany, but was less successful in The Netherlands, where it barely managed to enter the top 40. It came in at number 15 of the European Hot 100 Singles chart.[39]

Music video

Background and filming

The music video for "Rain" was directed by American filmmaker and photographer Mark Romanek.[40] Madonna became interested in working with Romanek after seeing his work in En Vogue's "Free Your Mind" (1992), and Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way" (1993). When she approached him, however, the director turned down the offer, as he felt "intimidated" by the idea of shooting a music video that, "would mark a departure from [Madonna's] ostentatious antics" of the time.[41] He also added, "['Rain'] was really romantic and I didn't really know what to do with something romantic at that point in my life". Romanek eventually accepted, on the condition that he be allowed to make the video "futuristic". According to author Mary Gabriel, Madonna "allowed [Romanek's] imagination to run wild", and he settled with a "simple" idea for the visual: The singer as a "doe-eyed ingenue" filming a music video in Japan. He wanted to have Madonna be "the only Occidental [in the video], which would make her more of an outsider". His influences in creating the aesthetic were Japanese designers like Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo. For the filming, he was inspired by a commercial Jean-Baptiste Mondino did with Catherine Deneuve for Yves Saint Laurent; "the way they colored [Deneuve']s face —it just was, at that time, just jaw-dropping how beautiful it was", recalled Romanek.

For the video-within-a-video's role of the director, Madonna approached Jean-Luc Godard and Federico Fellini, but both declined; the latter allegedly faxed her a handwritten personal apology note. At the end, Ryuichi Sakamoto was selected thanks to him being what Romanek called, "the most iconic and famous and attractive Japanese icon". Argentine model Daniel Rossi, with whom Madonna was allegedly romantically involved at the time, also participated.[42] Filming for the video took place at a Santa Monica Airport hangar from May 16–19, 1993.[43] Crew included Krista Montagna in production, Harris Savides in direction of photography, Jon Peter Flack in production design, Robert Duffy was an editor, while David Bradshaw was in charge of wardrobe.[44] A studio was created in the hangar that allowed the filming material —wires, cameras, lights— to be seen. The Japanese crew was allowed to walk freely in front of the camera and around Madonna.

As Romanek did not want the clip to be too "clichéd" or literal, he decided to use water, contained in two large walls that were placed on either sides of Madonna. To further capture the track's "crystalline" essence, colored closeups of the singer's face and features —for which she underwent half a day of camera tests— were done. Then, a German lighting fixture was used to achieve a "thoroughly modern, yet classic" effect. Madonna's appearance was inspired by 1940s Paris, and singer Edith Piaf: She wore a "waif-like cap of short black hair with spiky bangs", blue-colored contact lenses and "porcelain-doll perfect" make-up.[45] At Romanek's petition, she also grew her eyebrows back. Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons and Vivienne Westwood provided the wardrobe.

Synopsis, release and reception

The video opens with Madonna in a studio, lying on a riveted aluminum chaise longue —designed by then unknown Marc Newson— decked out in a white dress, with headphones on her ears, composing a song. This precedes closeups of her singing to a blue-toned microphone, in front of a blue backdrop. She is next seen taking a break from filming, following by a scene in which she receives instructions from the director (Sakamoto); they are now both wearing matching black flowing long-sleeved shirts. The director then instructs a scene in which Madonna kisses a long-haired male, and one in which she stands in-between two walls covered with water in a black dress. This last part is interpolated with closeups similar to the ones from the beginning, and of Madonna getting her makeup done by staff.

Next is a shot of the singer and a man kissing behind a water-stained crystal wall. Towards the bridge, Madonna, wearing the aforementioned black flowing shirt, poses in front of a wall made up of bright lights. The director and the crew all watch as she dances in front of a backdrop depicting a stormy sky with flashing lights. She now wears a short-sleeved shirt and long skirt. The video closes with an air view of open black umbrellas covering the entire floor, as water from fire sprinklers falls down upon Madonna's face.

"Rain" premiered on MTV on June 21, 1993. Upon release, it was positively received by critics. Both Billboards Deborah Russell and Los Angeles Times Maureen Sajbel singled out Madonna's appearance, with the former calling it "chic yet vulnerable, glamorous yet sweet". The staff of The Advocate considered it a "gorgeous video that stands the test of time".[46] Bryant Frazer from website Studio Daily applauded "Rain" for pushing "the boundaries of telecine work at the time".[47] By their part, Dave Marsh and James Bernard wrote in New Book of Rock Lists (1994) that it was an example of the influence of Japanese culture on contemporary arts. At the MTV Video Music Awards, Jan Peter Flack and Savides won for Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography, respectively.[48] "Rain" was nominated for clip of the year, and Romanek awarded director of the year at the Billboard Music Video Awards.[49] [50] Russell named "Rain" 1993's ninth best music video.[51]

Retrospective reviews have named "Rain" one of Madonna's finest music videos. Rocco Papa from The Odyssey highlighted its "high-contrast look and meta-narrative concept". Idolators Mike Neid wrote that, with its "gorgeous set pieces and stunning cinematography, ['Rain'] is sheer class". Slant Magazine considered "Rain" the 70th greatest music video of all time; Sal Cinquemani and Ed Gonzalez opined it was one of Madonna's "most beautiful", as well as a "simple and refreshing break from [her] sex-drenched Erotica period".[52] For VH1's Christopher Rosa, it is one of the singer's most underrated music videos, describing it as "simple, [and] electric", and comparing her short hair look to that of Mia Farrow.[53] Jef Rouner from the Houston Press named "Rain" the ninth best music video directed by Romanek: "One of [his] more light-hearted [...] ['Rain'] is a fascinating treatise on the act of creating a music video itself".[54] "Rain" can be found on Madonna's compilations (1999) and (2009), as well as on the DVD The Work Of Director Mark Romanek (2005).[55] [56] [57]

Live performances

On the Girlie Show of 1993, Madonna sang "Rain" with her backing vocalists Niki Haris and Donna De Lory, interspersed with lyrics of the Temptations' "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" (1971).[58] The stage was bathed in blue light, with the three women donning long black choir robes. Haris recalled that it was the "first time [on stage] we sat down together and felt our harmonies. Madonna's voice was starting to get strong and she was into trying new things". The number was praised by The Baltimore Suns J. D. Considine, who opined that, even though the artist "just sat and sang, that hardly took away from ['Rain']s gorgeous harmonies".[59] The performance recorded at Sydney was included on home video release (1994).[60] [61]

A mashup of "Rain" and Eurythmics "Here Comes the Rain Again" (1984) was used as video interlude on 2008―2009's Sticky & Sweet Tour.[62] [63] The video depicted the cartoon of an "alien woman chasing fish", while dancers onstage did an Asian-inspired choreography.[64] On her review of the Barcelona concert, Lourdes López from La Vanguardia was critical of the number, as she felt it "bordered on boring". The performance was included on the Sticky & Sweet Tour live album release (2010), recorded in Buenos Aires.[65]

The performance of "Rain" on the Celebration Tour (2023―2024) sees a "shadowy reaper" embrace Madonna —who's decked out in a long cape— and "pull[ing] her into the darkness".[66] [67] Reviewing the tour's opening concert in London, the staff of OutInPerth criticized the "anti-climactic" number.[66] By contrast, Metro Weeklys André Hereford deemed it a "powerful vocal [performance] in a night where her lungs and body worked prodigiously".[68]

Covers and usage

See also: List of cover versions of Madonna songs and List of Madonna tribute albums. In 2000, British gothic rock band Rosetta Stone covered "Rain" for the tribute album Virgin Voices: A Tribute to Madonna, Vol. 2; AllMusic's Heather Phares considered it one of the album's finest moments.[69] The following year, a cover by Who's That Girl! was included on the album Exposed, released through Almighty Records.[70] The Vitamin String Quartet covered "Rain" for The String Quartet Tribute to Madonna (2002), while Los Angeles based band Motor Industries did it for The Dancefloor Tribute to Madonna (2003).[71] [72] In 2008, the song was recorded by Da Capo Players, and included on Strung out on Madonna: The String Quartet Tribute.[73] That same year, a remix of "Rain" titled "Klubkidz House Party Mix" was included on Madonna impersonator Melissa Totten's album Forever Madonna.[74]

In May 2016, Donna De Lory and Niki Haris recorded an acoustic version of "Rain" and released it as a digital single; this release also included a remix created by Willie Ray Lewis.[75] An EP containing four additional remixes was released on October.[76] As to why they chose to cover the song, Haris told the HuffPost in an email: "I believe [the lyrics] are indicative of the many years [Donna and I] have been together, alternating between sunshine and stormy [...] We feel blessed every time we sing [it]".[77] In the 2019 film Uncut Gems, "Rain" was used in a scene in which Adam Sandler's character walks into his apartment and finds it empty and dark.[78]

Track listings and formats

  1. "Rain" (radio remix) – 4:35
  2. "Waiting" (album version) – 5:45
  1. "Rain" (radio remix) – 4:35
  2. "Waiting" (remix featuring Everlast) – 4:41
  3. "Up Down Suite" – 12:13
  4. "Rain" (album version) – 5:24
  1. "Rain" (radio remix) – 4:33
  2. "Rain" (album version) – 5:24
  3. "Up Down Suite" – 12:13
  4. "Waiting" (remix featuring Everlast) – 4:41
  1. "Rain" (radio remix) – 4:35
  2. "Open Your Heart" (album version) – 4:13
  3. "Up Down Suite" – 12:13
  1. "Rain" (album edit) – 4:17
  2. "Rain" (remix edit) – 4:33
  3. "Fever" (edit one) – 4:03
  4. "Fever" (edit two) – 4:27
  1. "Rain" (radio remix) – 4:35
  2. "Waiting" (remix featuring Everlast) – 4:41
  3. "Up Down Suite" – 12:13
  4. "Rain" (album version) – 5:24
  5. "Bad Girl" (extended mix) – 6:29
  6. "Fever" (extended 12-inch) – 6:08
  7. "Fever" (Shep's Remedy Dub) – 4:29
  8. "Fever" (Murk Boys Miami Mix) – 7:10
  9. "Fever" (Oscar G's Dope Dub) – 4:53
  10. "Rain" (video edit) – 4:32
  1. "Rain" (radio remix) – 4:35
  2. "Waiting" (remix featuring Everlast) – 4:41
  3. "Rain" (radio remix edit) – 4:20
  4. "Up Down Suite" – 12:13
  5. "Rain" (video edit) – 4:33
  6. "Fever" (edit two) – 4:27

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Rain"! Chart (1993)! Peak
position
Brazil (ABPD)[93] 8
Canada Retail Singles (The Record)1
Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)[94] 3
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)15
Europe (European Hit Radio)[95] 4
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[96] 5
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[97] 25
Italy (Musica e dischi)9
UK Airplay (Music Week)[98] 3
US Cash Box Top 100[99] 21

Year-end charts

Chart (1993)! scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[100] 39
Canada Top Singles (RPM)15
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[101] 44
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[102] 96
UK Singles (OCC)[103] 88
US Billboard Hot 10067
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)38

Literary sources

Notes and References

  1. News: Holden . Stephen . Stephen Holden . Madonna makes a $60 million deal . . February 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090519100152/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/20/arts/madonna-makes-a-60-million-deal.html . May 19, 2009 . April 10, 1992.
  2. News: Carpenter . Teresa . THE NEW SEASON/POP MUSIC; Madonna's Doctor of Spin . The New York Times . September 27, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150526053853/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/13/arts/the-new-season-pop-music-madonna-s-doctor-of-spin.html . May 26, 2015 . September 13, 1992.
  3. Orth . Maureen . Maureen Orth . Madonna in Wonderland . . 6 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150211083303/https://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/1992/10/madonna199210 . February 11, 2015 . October 1992.
  4. Web site: Pettibone . Shep . Shep Pettibone . Erotica Diaries . Official Shep Pettibone website . February 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070627110144/http://www.sheppettibone.com/sp_erotica_diaries.htm . June 27, 2007.
  5. Web site: Levine . Nick . An oral story: Madonna's Erotica by the people who helped create it . . . February 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210225080838/https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/kz3qbz/an-oral-history-madonnas-erotica-by-the-people-who-helped-create-it . February 25, 2021 . October 20, 2017.
  6. Madonna. Erotica. 1992. Liner notes. Maverick Records. 9362-45031-2.
  7. Web site: Madonna.com > Discography > Rain . Icon: Official Madonna Website . October 21, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100102071131/http://madonna.com/discography/index/album/albumId/84/ . January 2, 2010.
  8. . Madonna . 1995 . Liner notes. Warner Bros. Records. 9 46100-2.
  9. Arnold . Chuck . Madonna's Erotica album at 30: Every song ranked from worst to best . Billboard . February 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221020220647/https://www.billboard.com/lists/madonna-erotica-album-songs-ranked/ . October 20, 2022 . October 20, 2022.
  10. Web site: Ciccone . Madonna . Rain: Digital Sheet Music . October 26, 2009 . . October 28, 2024.
  11. Web site: Myers . John . Classic 90's Music Reviews: Madonna's Erotica . . February 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120618073544/http://voices.yahoo.com/classic-90s-music-reviews-madonnas-erotica-3027192.html?cat=33 . June 18, 2012 . April 9, 2009.
  12. Flick . Larry . Single Reviews: Madonna - 'Rain' . Billboard . July 10, 1993 . 105 . 28 . 62 . September 17, 2022 . 0006-2510.
  13. Web site: Smith . Giles . Giles Smith . REVIEW / Stripped down to basics: Giles Smith takes a peek at Erotica, Madonna's new album - Plus the rest of the week's new albums . . September 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210804160417/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/review-stripped-down-to-basics-giles-smith-takes-a-peek-at-erotica-madonna-s-new-album-plus-the-rest-of-the-week-s-new-albums-1557514.html . August 4, 2021 . October 14, 1992.
  14. Web site: Sears . Stephen . Madonna's Erotica turns 20: Backtracking . . September 18, 2022 . October 19, 2012 . https://archive.today/20140327051035/http://www.idolator.com/7205621/madonna-erotica-20-anniversary-1992 . March 27, 2014.
  15. Berger . Arion . Home > Music > Album reviews > Erotica . . September 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180927123157/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/erotica-186842/ . September 27, 2018 . November 26, 1992.
  16. Cinquemani . Sal . Review: Madonna, Erotica . . February 17, 2024 . February 24, 2007 . May 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220520031744/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/madonna-erotica/ .
  17. Web site: Erlewine . Stephen Thomas . 40 years of Madonna: The Queen of Pop's greatest songs, ranked - 31. Rain . . February 16, 2024 . July 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240729083714/https://www.avclub.com/essential-madonna-40th-anniversary-best-songs-ranked-1850672035?slide=10#slideshow . July 29, 2024.
  18. Augusto . Troy J. . Pop Singles . . July 10, 1993 . 56 . 44 . 13 . September 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200729050431/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1993/CB-1993-07-10.pdf#page=13 . July 29, 2020.
  19. Web site: Zaleski . Annie . Madonna's 'Rain' established her as a sensual New Age goddess . The A.V. Club . October 11, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191011214427/https://music.avclub.com/madonna-s-rain-established-her-as-a-sensual-new-age-g-1798246387https://web.archive.org/web/20191011214427/https://music.avclub.com/madonna-s-rain-established-her-as-a-sensual-new-age-g-1798246387 . October 11, 2019 . live . April 19, 2016.
  20. The 100 greatest Madonna songs: Critics' picks . Billboard . September 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211119200810/https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/100-greatest-madonna-songs-list-8469835/ . November 19, 2021 . August 15, 2018.
  21. Web site: Jacobs . Matthew . The definitive ranking of Madonna singles . . September 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190406160303/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-definitive-ranking-of-madonna-singles_n_5078934 . April 6, 2019 . March 10, 2015.
  22. News: Willman . Chris . Madonna struts her new pose . . September 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140715040249/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-10-18/entertainment/ca-734_1_madonna-struts . July 15, 2014 . October 18, 1992 . live .
  23. News: Walker . Barbara . Madonna the superstar's first full-length studio release since 1989, due in stores on Tuesday, may leave listerners missing melodies and musing about Madonna's love life . . September 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201129163724/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-10-18-9202240147-story.html . November 29, 2020 . October 18, 1992.
  24. Web site: Soto . Alfred . On second thought: Madonna - Erotica . . September 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060530143324/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/on_second_thought/madonna-erotica.htm . May 30, 2006 . January 17, 2006 . live .
  25. Web site: Papa . Rocco . The 10 best Madonna music videos of all-time . . September 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200228184146/https://www.theodysseyonline.com/top-10-madonna-videos . February 28, 2020 . July 30, 2019 . live .
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  27. Web site: Elliott . Mark . Rain: The story behind the song that reset Madonna's career in the 90s . This is Dig! . October 21, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230930091437/https://www.thisisdig.com/feature/rain-madonna-song-story/ . September 30, 2023 . August 5, 2023.
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  29. Web site: Promis . Jose F. . Madonna > 'Rain' > Overview . AllMusic . September 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120624151916/https://www.allmusic.com/album/rain-mw0001016111 . June 24, 2012 . July 1, 1993.
  30. The Hot 100: The week of July 24, 1993 . Billboard . September 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150720023707/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1993-07-24/ . July 20, 2015 . July 24, 1993 . live .
  31. Top 40 Airplay . Billboard . September 18, 1992 . 105 . 38 . 99 . February 11, 2024 . 0006-2510 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121221603/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1993/BB-1993-09-18.pdf#page=97 . January 21, 2021.
  32. Hot 100 Singles Sales . Billboard . September 4, 1993 . 105 . 32 . 83 . February 11, 2024 . 0006-2510 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127021345/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1993/BB1993.pdf#page=72 . January 27, 2021.
  33. The year in music: 1993 . Billboard . December 25, 1993 . 105 . 52 . YE-20 and YE-46 . February 11, 2024 . 0006-2510 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210125085342/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1993/BB-1993-12-25.pdf . January 25, 2021.
  34. Caulfield . Keith . Madonna's 40 biggest Billboard hits . Billboard . January 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211119184248/https://www.billboard.com/lists/madonnas-40-biggest-billboard-hits/ . November 19, 2021 . August 16, 2017.
  35. Web site: RPM 100: Hit tracks & where to find them . . . February 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171208010128/https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.2179&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.2179.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.2179 . December 8, 2017 . July 17, 1993.
  36. Web site: Top Singles - Volume 58, No. 23, December 18 1993 . RPM . Library and Archives Canada . February 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121022075112/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2339&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836 . October 22, 2012 . December 18, 1993.
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  38. Top 10 Sales in Europe . Music & Media . October 23, 1993 . 10 . 43 . 24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200705143554/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-10-23.pdf#page=24. July 5, 2020.
  39. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles . Music & Media . August 7, 1993 . 10 . 32 . 15 . February 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200824173418/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-08-07.pdf#page=15 . August 24, 2020.
  40. Express Yourself: The Making of Madonna's 20 greatest music videos -'Rain' (1993) . Rolling Stone . September 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180923123545/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/express-yourself-the-making-of-madonnas-20-greatest-music-videos-140803/rain-1993-68145/ . September 23, 2018 . February 25, 2015 . live .
  41. Russell . Deborah . Classic look reigns in Madonna vid: Image-making is Romanek's key theme . Billboard . August 21, 1993 . 105 . 34 . 37–39 . September 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121214721/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1993/BB-1993-08-21.pdf#page=77 . January 21, 2021 . 0006-2510.
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  43. Romanek, Mark. 2005. The Work of Director Mark Romanek. Documentary DVD. New York. Palm Pictures. 61717830.
  44. Web site: Madonna - Rain . MarkRomanek.com . September 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20030619021433/http://www.markromanek.com/video/08_credits.html . June 19, 2003.
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  48. Rusell . Deborah . Pearl Jam's 'Jeremy' wins top honors at MTV Awards . Billboard . September 11, 1993 . 105 . 37 . 88 . September 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121211941/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1993/BB-1993-09-11-N.pdf#page=94 . January 21, 2021 . 0006-2510.
  49. Soul Asylum, Stone Temple Pilots, Green Jelly, RuPaul lead nominees . Billboard . October 16, 1993 . 105 . 42 . 83 . September 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121042758/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1993/BB-1993-10-16-N.pdf#page=83 . January 21, 2021. 0006-2510.
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  80. Rain. Madonna. 1993. US cassette liner notes. Maverick Records. 5439-18505-4.
  81. Rain. Madonna. 1993. US maxi-single liner notes. Maverick Records. 9 40988-2.
  82. Rain. Madonna. 1993. Canadian maxi-single liner notes. Maverick Records. PRO-CD-6182.
  83. Rain. Madonna. 1993. US 12-inch vinyl single liner notes. Maverick Records. 9362-40988-4.
  84. Rain. Madonna. 1993. Australian cassette single liner notes. Maverick Records. 7-18505.
  85. Rain. Madonna. 1993. Canadian cassette single liner notes. Maverick Records. 9 40988-0.
  86. Rain. Madonna. 1993. UK 12-inch single liner notes. Maverick Records. W0190T.
  87. Rain. Madonna. 1993. UK 12-inch picture disc liner notes. Maverick Records. W0190TP.
  88. Rain. Madonna. 1993. UK CD single liner notes. Maverick Records. W0190CD.
  89. Rain. Madonna. 1993. German 12" liner notes. Maverick Records. 9362-40983-0 .
  90. Rain. Madonna. 1993. Japanese EP liner notes. Maverick Records. WPCP-5644.
  91. Rain. Madonna. 1993. Australian EP liner notes. Maverick Records. 9362-45491-2.
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