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"Have You Ever Seen the Rain" is a song written by John Fogerty and released as a single in 1970 from the album Pendulum (1970) by roots rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival. The song charted highest in Canada, reaching number one on the RPM 100 national album chart in March 1971.[1] In the US, it peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the same year. On Cash Box pop chart, it peaked at number three. Billboard co-listed the b-side "Hey Tonight". In the UK, it reached number 36. It was the group's eighth gold-selling single.[2]

Some have speculated that the song's lyrics are referencing the Vietnam War, with the "rain" being a metaphor for bombs falling from the sky.[3] In his review of the song for Allmusic website, Mark Deming suggests that the song is about the idealism of the 1960s fading in the wake of events such as the Altamont Free Concert and the Kent State shootings and that Fogerty is saying that the same issues of the '60s still existed in the 1970s but that people were no longer fighting for them.[4] However, Fogerty himself has said in interviews and prior to playing the song in concert that the song is about rising tension within CCR and the imminent departure of his brother Tom from the band.[5]

John Fogerty released a live version of the song on his The Long Road Home - In Concert DVD which was recorded at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, California on September 15, 2005.

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 [hide*1 In popular culture

In popular culture[edit][]

  • The song is playing in the background in the film "Philadelphia" during the bar scene where Denzel Washington's character responds to homophobic taunts from some of his colleagues.
  • "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" was heard playing in its entirety, at the very end of "Look Again", the first episode of the TV series Cold Case.
  • This song was heard playing in the film Evan Almighty (during the opening sequence).
  • It is heard featured in The Longest Yard 2005 remake.
  • In the film December Boys, it is heard in both the released CCR version and a quieter instrumental version.
  • It is heard in one of episodes of Tour of Duty, titled "The Good, the Bad and the Dead" (in the ending scene).
  • Heard playing throughout the Dexter episode "Father Knows Best".
  • Heard playing during the season 1 finale of Nurse Jackie.
  • Heard playing during the series finale of Stargate SG-1, "Unending".
  • It was made available to download on January 24, 2012 for play in Rock Band 3 Basic and PRO mode utilizing real guitar / bass guitar, and MIDI compatible electronic drum kits / keyboards plus vocal harmonies.
  • Made available for download on RockSmith as of April 2013

Cover versions[edit][]

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