"Let It Rain" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer David Nail. Sarah Buxton sings backing vocals on the song.[1] It was released in February 2011 as the first single from his album The Sound of a Million Dreams, which was released in November 2011. It is his third Top 20, second Top 10 and first Top 5 hit on Hot Country Songs. On the chart week of January 21, 2012, it became both Nail's and Buxton's first Number One hit.
| "Let It Rain" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by David Nail featuring Sarah Buxton | ||||
| from the album The Sound of a Million Dreams | ||||
| Released | February 7, 2011 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:59 (album version) 3:42 (radio edit) | |||
| Label | MCA Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | David Nail Jonathan Singleton | |||
| Producer(s) | Chuck Ainlay Frank Liddell | |||
| David Nail singles chronology | ||||
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Content edit
Co-writer Jonathan Singleton, who also co-wrote Nail's 2009 single "Red Light", told the website Taste of Country that they came up with the idea for the song while talking about movies that they enjoyed. They recalled the film The Last Kiss where "this guy cheats on his girlfriend, and he goes to her house and decides he’s going to sit on her porch until she lets him in." They said that they did not find the situation plausible and Singleton added, "If it was a southern girl or [David's wife] or my wife, the first thing they’d do is throw all our stuff on the porch with us." Instead of having the male narrator say "I deserve whatever I get, if she never talks to me again", Nail decided to have the character say "that I’m human just like everyone else and you mess up".[2]
In May 2011, Taylor Swift posted on Twitter that she liked the song.[3]
Critical reception edit
Sam Gazdziak of Engine 145 gave the song a "thumbs up". He did not think that the song had "anything here to distinguish it as a country song" and thought that the song "does fall victim to the bombast", but praised Nail's voice and the details in the lyrics.[4] Bobby Peacock of Roughstock rated it three-and-a-half stars out of five, also saying that the lyrics had "interesting details" and describing Nail as "strong [and] soulful", although he thought that the song's hook did not work because "there's no other 'rain' motif anywhere else".[5]
Music video edit
It debuted in April 2011; Stephen Shepherd directed.[6] It features David singing while the woman he was with the night before showers and changes. He looks around and it appears he feels guilty.
Chart performance edit
"Let It Rain" reached number one on its forty-ninth week on the Hot Country Songs chart, setting a new record for the slowest uninterrupted climb to the top in the chart's history.[7]
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
Decade-end charts edit
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Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[14] | Gold | 500,000^ |
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^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ Menachem, Michael (26 January 2011). "David Nail, 'Let It Rain' – Song Spotlight". Taste of Country. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ Conaway, Alanna. "David Nail, 'Let It Rain' – Lyrics Uncovered". Taste of Country. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ Duvall, Erin (27 May 2011). "David Nail Cherishes Taylor's Tweets". The Boot. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ Gazdziak, Sam (14 February 2011). "David Nail — "Let It Rain"". Engine 145. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ Peacock, Bobby (4 March 2011). "David Nail — "Let It Rain"". Roughstock. Archived from the original on 1 November 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ "David Nail debuts "Let It Rain" vid". RTT News. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ Trust, Gary (15 January 2012). "Ask Billboard: Say Good 'Night' to Gaga's Streak?". Billboard. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
- ^ "David Nail Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
- ^ "David Nail Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "David Nail Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Best of 2011: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
- ^ "Best of 2012: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- ^ "Decade-End Charts: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- ^ "American single certifications – David Nail – Let It Rain". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 25, 2021.