Song Spotlight: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”

• Mood: Optimistic

• Themes: Spring, Rain, Positivity 

• Tempo: Moderate

• Genre/Style: 1960s pop music

It is finally spring again! Though it is early in the season, I am happy to welcome the rain and the flowers that will soon follow. I can’t help but hum the song “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” as I walk out into the rain. This catchy tune was written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach in 1969 for the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It was originally sung by B.J. Thomas, then later recorded by many other artists. This song is suitable for spring time as the rainy season is picking up. It can be a great way to welcome spring or lead into looking at photos of the lovely flowers that the spring season brings. 

Here are the first few lines of lyrics:

Raindrops are falling on my head

And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed

Nothing seems to fit

Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling

There are elements of this song that provide opportunity for great conversation. The title/first line can bring attention to the weather outside. This song is a great conversation starter using the themes of the song to start a discussion.

The main themes of the song range from concrete to more abstract.

On the concrete end, “raindrops falling keep falling on my head” can jump start a conversation about the weather, rain, spring weather, and memories of children or themselves playing in rain puddles. 

On the more abstract end, the conversation might lead to thinking of or discussing the little or big things in life that can get you down. For example, like the guy in the song “whose feet are too big for his bed,” we all have our troubles. It could be heartaches, state of health, or other things. This acknowledges the hardship we experience.

This song’s repetition of “raindrops keep fallin’ my head” expresses the troubles that can at times become difficult to bear and then transitions into resilience and determination to not get bogged down by troubles. Ultimately, the song ends, “because I’m free, nothing’s worrying me.” 

Though this ending is idealistic, sometimes we need more support when experiencing troubles. This can be a transition to a discussion or invitation to group members to talk about or share self care/community care tips for when troubles are abound.

Try This:

Theme: This song would fit well into a collection of songs about weather, spring, or positivity.  Other complementary songs may include “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Happy,” and “Season Suite: Spring.”

Sing along with this well known song. Display the lyrics or print out lyric sheets if desired. 

Play shakers or percussion instruments along with this song.

Discuss: Invite participants to share a small thing they do to perk up their spirits when feeling down or troubled. This can range from a cup of coffee or tea mid-afternoon, to walking in the rain without an umbrella. There are no wrong answers!

For more song spotlights, visit our Song Spotlights page.