Introduction:
Ah, Toby Keith’s Kissin’ In The Rain. Released in 2010 on his album Bullets in the Gun, this track is a prime example of Keith’s signature storytelling style woven into a classic country music tapestry. Now, Toby Keith needs little introduction. A titan of the genre since the early 90s, he’s carved a niche for himself with his gruff vocals, relatable lyrics about working-class America, and a touch of rebellion that resonates deeply with his audience.
Kissin’ In The Rain doesn’t stray far from that formula, and that’s precisely what makes it such a gem. The song, co-written by Keith himself alongside Bobby Olen Pinson, is credited with being produced by Keith along with Kenny Greenberg. Greenberg, a veteran producer with a long list of country heavyweights under his belt, brings a certain polish to the track without sacrificing its down-home charm.
Kissin’ In The Rain doesn’t boast chart-topping accolades or awards, but its success lies in its ability to capture a specific memory, a universal feeling. It’s a song that transports you to a simpler time, a summer night spent with someone special. The instrumentation is classic country – think twangy guitars, a steady backbeat, and perhaps a touch of melancholic fiddle. But it’s Keith’s voice that truly takes center stage. He narrates the story with a world-weary wisdom, a hint of a smile in his voice as he reminisces about a youthful escapade.
The beauty of the song lies in its simplicity. There’s no complex metaphor or grand statement. It’s a snapshot of a stolen moment, a memory bathed in the warm glow of nostalgia. We can practically feel the humidity of the July night, the coolness of the rain on our skin, and the taste of cheap beer on our lips. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most profound experiences are the most ordinary ones, the ones etched in our minds with a bittersweet fondness.
Kissin’ In The Rain might not be Toby Keith’s most commercially successful song, but it’s a testament to his ability to craft relatable stories that resonate with the everyday listener. It’s a song that makes you yearn for simpler times, for youthful rebellion, and the thrill of a stolen kiss under a summer shower. So, sit back, crank up the volume, and let Toby Keith transport you back to a time when the biggest worry was explaining a late night to your mama.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Kissin’ In The Rain”
Muddy lake was the perfect spot for
Camp fire, drinkin’ beer
Skippin’ half your senior yearTold your mama little white one
She didn’t want you hangin’ out in the sun
With a small town roughneck man
That will never be nothin’ but an old field hand
Shut up with your girl friend
‘Bout the time a storm rode in
Wind got up, it was pourin’ down
We could hear the sirens goin’ off in town
We were kissin’ in the rain, kissin’ in the rain
Hittin’ hard like a hurricane
Summer nights lit up with lightnin’
Soakin’ wet starin’ in your eyes and
We didn’t care a thing about the thunder
While the angry sky we were under
Was raisin’ Cane
We were kissin’ in the rain
You got in too late that night
And you and mama had a fight
You weren’t ever gonna win
Never got to see me again
Well, I get storm the days roll by
Now and then I still drive
Cross the dam in my old Ford
I get out and walk that shore
I still see you standin’ there
Blue jeans too wet to wear
Hair all drenched and out of place
And mascara runnin’ down your face
Every time the clouds get low
And the sirens start to blow
I get a sweet little déjà vu
My Thunderbird, me and you
Were kissin’ in the rain, kissin’ in the rain
Hittin’ hard like a hurricane
Summer nights lit up with lightnin’
Soakin’ wet starin’ in your eyes and
We didn’t care a thing about the thunder
While the angry sky we were under
Was raisin’ Cane
We were kissin’ in the rain
Yeah
Kissin’ in the rain