"Rain" is a 1998 single released by the group SWV. The musical backing track is based on Jaco Pastorius's "Portrait of Tracy". Released as the fourth and final single from the group's third album Release Some Tension (1997), the song peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number 7 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart. Singer and actor Tyrese Gibson appeared in the song's 1998 music video, directed by Darren Grant, and would later sing the hook on rapper Chingy's 2006 hit song "Pullin' Me Back", which samples "Rain".

Background

The track's writer and producer Brian Alexander Morgan signed a production deal with Atlantic Records. He ended up at Sean Combs' recording studio Daddy's House with Kelly Price handling vocal production. Morgan played the demo for Atlantic artist Brandy in front of her, Price, and Deric Angelettie for inclusion on Brandy's 1998 album, Never Say Never. He later played it for Combs - who was working with SWV on their 1997 album, Release Some Tension. Shortly after that, Morgan got a call from SWV's label, RCA Records. The A&R head at RCA wanted Morgan to participate on the album. Morgan initially refused - citing none of his songs being released as a single on SWV's previous album, New Beginning. Morgan instead offered "Rain" to Brandy, but Atlantic Records passed on it - which was later given to SWV.

Covers

In July 2020, "Rain" was covered by the indie rock group Whitney on their covers album, Candid.

Track listing

US Promo US CD UK CD

Charts

Year-end charts