# It Keeps Rainin'

"It Keeps Rainin'" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter and pianist Fats Domino in 1961 and written by Domino, Dave Bartholomew and Bobby Charles. It was released in the US on Imperial Records and in the UK on London Records as the B-side of "I Just Cry". The song was covered by Bitty McLean in 1993, becoming a chart success in Europe and New Zealand.

## Overview

"It Keeps Rainin'" was one of the series of Bobby Charles songs that Fats Domino recorded along with songs such as "Walking to New Orleans". Originally Charles wrote it with different lyrics under the name "Little Rascal". Charles prepared a demo with a rhythm track and it was sent to Domino who was in Detroit for a show. Somehow the vocals were left off from the tape, and Domino wrote new lyrics to the rhythm track to complete the song “It Keeps Rainin’”. Charles claims that his lyrics were better, but his original version has not been released.

## Personnel

* Fats Domino – vocals, piano
* Clarence Ford – baritone saxophone
* Robert "Buddy" Hagans – tenor saxophone
* Lee Allen – tenor saxophone
* Dave Bartholomew – trumpet
* Roy Montrell – guitars
* Jimmy Davis – bass
* Cornelius "Tenoo" Coleman – drums

## Charts

| Chart (1961) | Peak position |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 49 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 23 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 18 |

## Bitty McLean version

British-Jamaican musician Bitty McLean covered the song as "It Keeps Rainin' (Tears from My Eyes)" and released it on July 19, 1993 by Brilliant! and Virgin Records, from his debut album, Just to Let You Know... (1993). Produced by McLean, the single peaked at number two in the United Kingdom and was a big hit across Europe, reaching number one in the Netherlands. It also peaked at number one in New Zealand for seven weeks and was certified Platinum for sales of over 10,000. The accompanying music video for "It Keeps Rainin' (Tears from My Eyes)" was directed by David Betteridge and first aired in July 1993.

### Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "The British reggae invasion continues. Former UB40 backing vocalist McLean doesn't stray from that group's winning formula on his solo debut. This is easy-listening reggae, complete with a smooth backbeat and an aloof British vocal. File this between UB40 and Maxi-Priest." Troy J. Augusto from Cash Box described it as "lightweight pop-reggae", that "offers little innovation but enough awareness of what makes a good radio song to earn a few spins at urban and hit outlets." Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian viewed it as "imaginative". Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Just like his "bosses" from UB 40 for whom he's backup singer on their current Elvis cover and album, Bitty has dived into rock 'n' roll's rich archives to return with a Fats Domino tune in a new spicy reggae identity." Mark Frith from Smash Hits deemed it "a clever, innovative record that was really catchy and a deserved big hit." Another Smash Hits editor, Tony Cross, said it "will keep you bogling till your bogle drops off."

### Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Platinum | 10,000$^*$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 200,000$^^$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |||