Dan Fogelberg – Rhythm Of The Rain

“Rhythm Of The Rain” – single by Dan Fogelberg from the album The Wild Places, released in September 1990.
Written by: John Claude Gummoe
First Recorded by: The Cascades (1962)
Charted No.3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart on November 17, 1990.

The original “Rhythm of the Rain” topped charts around the world in the early ’60s, propelled by its gentle melody and introspective lyrics. Gummoe’s composition captured the melancholy of heartbreak through a simple yet powerful metaphor: rain as both a companion and a reminder of love lost.

Fogelberg included his version as track eight on his 1990 studio album The Wild Places, a record known for its environmental themes and lush, soft-rock arrangements. Clocking in at just over four minutes, his interpretation retains the original’s wistful core while layering in richer instrumentation and his signature warm, emotive vocals.

In a subtle creative twist, the track contains an uncredited interpolation of the Beatles’ “Rain,” linking two rain-themed classics in an understated homage.

The song became a staple of Fogelberg’s live shows, most notably appearing on his 1991 concert album Live: Greetings from the West, recorded at the Fox Theater in St. Louis. The live version, extending to nearly six minutes, showcases his ability to draw out the song’s emotional depths in real time.