Counting Crows — Rain King
Album: August and Everything AfterAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2197
Length: 4:08
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When I think of heaven, deliver me in a black-winged bird,
I think of flying, down into a sea of pins and feathers,
And all other instruments of faith and sex and God,
In the belly of a black-winged bird, don't try to feed me,
'Cause I've been here before and I deserve a little more.
I belong in the service of the Queen,
I belong anywhere but in between,
She's been crying , I've been thinking,
And I am the Rain King.
Well I said, mama, mama, mama,
Why am I so alone? well I can't go outside,
I'm scared I might not make it home,
But I'm alive, I'm alive, but I'm sinking in,
If there's anyone at home at your place darlin'
Why don't you invite me in? don't try to bleed me,
'Cause I've been there before and I deserve a little more.
I belong in the service of the Queen,
I belong anywhere but in between,
She's been lying, I've been sinking,
And I am the Rain King.
Hey, I only want the same as anyone,
Henderson is waiting for the sun,
Oh it seems night endlessly begins and ends,
After all the dreaming I come home again.
When I think of heaven, deliver me in a black-winged bird,
I think of dying, lay me down in a field of flame and heather,
Render up my body into the burning heart of God
In the belly of a black-winged bird, don't try to bleed me,
'cause I've been here before and I deserve a little more.
I belong in the service of the Queen,
I belong anywhere but in between,
She's been dying and I've been drinking
And I am the Rain King,
Well I said I am the rain king,
Well I said I, I, I, I, I yeah,
Well I am the rain king, yeah.
I think of flying, down into a sea of pins and feathers,
And all other instruments of faith and sex and God,
In the belly of a black-winged bird, don't try to feed me,
'Cause I've been here before and I deserve a little more.
I belong in the service of the Queen,
I belong anywhere but in between,
She's been crying , I've been thinking,
And I am the Rain King.
Well I said, mama, mama, mama,
Why am I so alone? well I can't go outside,
I'm scared I might not make it home,
But I'm alive, I'm alive, but I'm sinking in,
If there's anyone at home at your place darlin'
Why don't you invite me in? don't try to bleed me,
'Cause I've been there before and I deserve a little more.
I belong in the service of the Queen,
I belong anywhere but in between,
She's been lying, I've been sinking,
And I am the Rain King.
Hey, I only want the same as anyone,
Henderson is waiting for the sun,
Oh it seems night endlessly begins and ends,
After all the dreaming I come home again.
When I think of heaven, deliver me in a black-winged bird,
I think of dying, lay me down in a field of flame and heather,
Render up my body into the burning heart of God
In the belly of a black-winged bird, don't try to bleed me,
'cause I've been here before and I deserve a little more.
I belong in the service of the Queen,
I belong anywhere but in between,
She's been dying and I've been drinking
And I am the Rain King,
Well I said I am the rain king,
Well I said I, I, I, I, I yeah,
Well I am the rain king, yeah.
Comments (221)add comment
Edweirdo wrote:
Ha ha. Diff species mate
If there's more than one crow they are rooks. If there is only one rook it's a crow.
Ha ha. Diff species mate
This takes me straight back to the local rock FM station in 1993-1994. Miss those days.
Hey Mr. Jones ever been to Omaha?
Memories of driving around the country doing stand up in the nineties. Loved this album…!
I like the way Wiki listed the band members starting with the drummer.
Now, if they could only start one with the bass player...
Now, if they could only start one with the bass player...
- 10000
Used to go see these guys play around Berkeley/Oakland in the mid-90s. They always put on a great show. Great band and should have had greater success. Still love this album. Still love that voice.
If there's more than one crow they are rooks. If there is only one rook it's a crow.
Ha! I stepped out of the room for a few, and Bill nearly snuck a CC song by me without hitting skip. My perfect record remains intact...
itsme_bygolly wrote:
I fell in love with Counting Crows as they played as the soundtrack to my great romance.
This is a great song. Save yer hate for Dave Matthews Band & Coldplay.
I fell in love with Counting Crows as they played as the soundtrack to my great romance.
This is a great song. Save yer hate for Dave Matthews Band & Coldplay.
BillG wrote:
Actually, if you looks at the rating distribution you'll see that you're not a dissenter at all. Reading the comments you'd think that the distain for Counting Crows & for Adams voice was nearly universal, but that's not even close to being true.
I fell in love with Counting Crows as they played as the soundtrack to my great romance.
Actually, if you looks at the rating distribution you'll see that you're not a dissenter at all. Reading the comments you'd think that the distain for Counting Crows & for Adams voice was nearly universal, but that's not even close to being true.
I fell in love with Counting Crows as they played as the soundtrack to my great romance.
ScottishWillie wrote:
My take on them... there is 0% originality in their music (The Band did similar and better decades ago). The vocalist has an affect that I find supremely annoying, like a parody of a rock & roll vocalist. Many of their songs also have this all-instruments-of-equal-weight mix, where nothing stands out, no highs or lows. They're perfectly competent but just sound like a wall of cookie cutter rock.
I simply can’t comprehend why this bad generates so much hate?
My take on them... there is 0% originality in their music (The Band did similar and better decades ago). The vocalist has an affect that I find supremely annoying, like a parody of a rock & roll vocalist. Many of their songs also have this all-instruments-of-equal-weight mix, where nothing stands out, no highs or lows. They're perfectly competent but just sound like a wall of cookie cutter rock.
I simply can’t comprehend why this band generates so much hate?
Overplayed in the 90s. Still induces hyperspeed PSD.
everytime I hear this song I'm reminded of the band chamberlain. great band, less known but a nice band to try for counting crows fans
Alastair wrote:
You could always turn it off ad save yourself the pain. No need to question anybody else's taste, just walk away quietly and enjoy your choices.
Jeez, how can anyone listen to this wailing? By a country mile the most God-awful assault on the ears.
You could always turn it off ad save yourself the pain. No need to question anybody else's taste, just walk away quietly and enjoy your choices.
Alastair wrote:
If you think that is bad, you should hear me sing along - especially the ending. My favorite Counting Crows album to drive/sing along with - YEEEAAAAAH!
Jeez, how can anyone listen to this wailing? By a country mile the most God-awful assault on the ears.
If you think that is bad, you should hear me sing along - especially the ending. My favorite Counting Crows album to drive/sing along with - YEEEAAAAAH!
Alastair wrote:
Then dont listen to this station, go listen to iHeartRadio
Jeez, how can anyone listen to this wailing? By a country mile the most God-awful assault on the ears.
Then dont listen to this station, go listen to iHeartRadio
Jeez, how can anyone listen to this wailing? By a country mile the most God-awful assault on the ears.
Love this album, distinctive vocals - admittedly not everyone's cup of tea - but fitting for the tunes they play.
LLRP
LLRP
BCarn wrote:
You mean Dylan and that whiner Neil Young have better voices? Fuuuuuuuuuuuque!
Bashing Dylan and Young will only make you look silly.
You mean Dylan and that whiner Neil Young have better voices? Fuuuuuuuuuuuque!
Bashing Dylan and Young will only make you look silly.
I see "Country Cows" ... wait a minute I will get my glasses to confirm 
.
. ace-marc wrote:
... from a minority, however strident, based on the 6.8 average rating.
Bill, the disdain is real and abundant.
... from a minority, however strident, based on the 6.8 average rating.
fredriley wrote:
Well said fred. As much as I think differently of them sometimes, they are fascinating to watch as they find food is the tiniest of cracks or dead squirrels. I've only encountered a few of them lying dead on sidewalk.
Counting crows would be an impossible activity in my local deer park as there are zillions of the things around the place. The racket when dusk comes has to be heard to be believed. I'm a big fan of corvids, mind - very intelligent birds. What they lack in cutes they make up for in smarts.
Quoth the raven: 'nevermore' :o)
Quoth the raven: 'nevermore' :o)
Well said fred. As much as I think differently of them sometimes, they are fascinating to watch as they find food is the tiniest of cracks or dead squirrels. I've only encountered a few of them lying dead on sidewalk.
Counting crows would be an impossible activity in my local deer park as there are zillions of the things around the place. The racket when dusk comes has to be heard to be believed. I'm a big fan of corvids, mind - very intelligent birds. What they lack in cutes they make up for in smarts.
Quoth the raven: 'nevermore' :o)
Quoth the raven: 'nevermore' :o)
He's the ranking. EEEEYEAH. 
I am not sure but I really don't like counting crows. Can't put my finger on it but maybe its that I sense pretension and non-nonchalant attitude to their music - kinda like they don't want to put too much energy into it. I think its also that Adam Duritz comes across as a total self-important ass. hope I am wrong.
I also for some really never liked Bob Seger and, especially John Mellencamp.
I also for some really never liked Bob Seger and, especially John Mellencamp.
ppopp wrote:
You mean Dylan and that whiner Neil Young have better voices? Fuuuuuuuuuuuque!
Gaaaaaaaaarrrrrrghghghghhghghghg! Worst voice on the planet.
You mean Dylan and that whiner Neil Young have better voices? Fuuuuuuuuuuuque!
Well I like these guys. Whats with the haters here? Same gang who follow those who hate Coldplay for no reason other than it being a trendy thing to do because some Hollywood dipshit decided it was a cool thing to do?
Gaaaaaaaaarrrrrrghghghghhghghghg! Worst voice on the planet.
nope.
terrible.
Bill, the disdain is real and abundant.
terrible.
Bill, the disdain is real and abundant.
Segue wrote:
Yes. Why won't you stop?
SUCH CATERWAULING!!
Yes. Why won't you stop?
BillG wrote:
Actually, if you looks at the rating distribution you'll see that you're not a dissenter at all. Reading the comments you'd think that the distain for Counting Crows & for Adams voice was nearly universal, but that's not even close to being true.
I love and always have loved this song. I gave it an 8 for now, but I just have a problem with that wail at the end!!!
Actually, if you looks at the rating distribution you'll see that you're not a dissenter at all. Reading the comments you'd think that the distain for Counting Crows & for Adams voice was nearly universal, but that's not even close to being true.
I love and always have loved this song. I gave it an 8 for now, but I just have a problem with that wail at the end!!!
DavidFromHouston wrote:
Actually, if you looks at the rating distribution you'll see that you're not a dissenter at all. Reading the comments you'd think that the distain for Counting Crows & for Adams voice was nearly universal, but that's not even close to being true.
I'll be the dissenter. One of my favorite bands ever. They put on an amazing live show, though it can be a bit frustrating if you expect to sing along. Easily one of my favorite albums ever. An instant classic. 10.
Bring on the haters.
Bring on the haters.
Actually, if you looks at the rating distribution you'll see that you're not a dissenter at all. Reading the comments you'd think that the distain for Counting Crows & for Adams voice was nearly universal, but that's not even close to being true.
SUCH CATERWAULING!!
Ummm yes, now that you mention it, you do (belong in the service of the Queen). But whatever. As you were. 
x 100 kcar wrote:
¯_(ツ)_/¯
Adam kinda deserves it...
It didn't help that this song got overplayed to the nth degree when it came out. There was this weird trend in the mid-nineties to have male lead singers deliberately yelp and sing off-key. This album does have some good songs, but this ain't one.
I don't think "it was so overplayed I got sick of it" is really a valid definition of "not a good song". It's a perfectly fine justification for "I don't like it", but little else.
¯_(ツ)_/¯
Adam kinda deserves it...
It didn't help that this song got overplayed to the nth degree when it came out. There was this weird trend in the mid-nineties to have male lead singers deliberately yelp and sing off-key. This album does have some good songs, but this ain't one.
I don't think "it was so overplayed I got sick of it" is really a valid definition of "not a good song". It's a perfectly fine justification for "I don't like it", but little else.
Think is a great album and most important for me: a great liveband with superb musicians
This song goes great with 11. Haters gonna hate. As for Scots? (See comment somewhere down there.) Please. They hate themselves so much they stop drinking only long enough to bash their own heads into some cruddyass castle wall in the middle of BF nowhere. In a lake. A shoe box. Whatever's on hand.
Ahh, thank you O powerful mute button!
No.
DavidFromHouston wrote:
I'm with you. Came to this late (jazz lover at the time), so maybe overplay is the problem for most, which, if you're in the band, isn't a bad thing....
I'll be the dissenter. One of my favorite bands ever. They put on an amazing live show, though it can be a bit frustrating if you expect to sing along. Easily one of my favorite albums ever. An instant classic. 10.
Bring on the haters.
Bring on the haters.
I'm with you. Came to this late (jazz lover at the time), so maybe overplay is the problem for most, which, if you're in the band, isn't a bad thing....
DavidFromHouston wrote:
I'll be the dissenter. One of my favorite bands ever. They put on an amazing live show, though it can be a bit frustrating if you expect to sing along. Easily one of my favorite albums ever. An instant classic. 10.
Bring on the haters.
Bring on the haters.
Hannio wrote:
Hannio wrote:
Wow. I certainly was feeling magnanimous that day.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Adam kinda deserves it...
It didn't help that this song got overplayed to the nth degree when it came out. There was this weird trend in the mid-nineties to have male lead singers deliberately yelp and sing off-key. This album does have some good songs, but this ain't one.
Adam Duritz at his barely tolerable best.
Hannio wrote:
Wow. I certainly was feeling magnanimous that day.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Adam kinda deserves it...
It didn't help that this song got overplayed to the nth degree when it came out. There was this weird trend in the mid-nineties to have male lead singers deliberately yelp and sing off-key. This album does have some good songs, but this ain't one.
I'm sorry, but this voice is making my ears bleed. I'm sure he's a great guy, though.
Great album.
Such a good album. However if you could turn hate into electricity you could power most of Scotland from this one band!
I'm a dissenter too. Love Counting Crows — wish they still were a band. Thanks for playing.
I'll be the dissenter. One of my favorite bands ever. They put on an amazing live show, though it can be a bit frustrating if you expect to sing along. Easily one of my favorite albums ever. An instant classic. 10.
Bring on the haters.
Bring on the haters.
By Counting Crows standards this is upbeat and peppy. Gave it a 6.
Hannio wrote:
Wow. I certainly was feeling magnanimous that day.
Adam Duritz at his barely tolerable best.
Wow. I certainly was feeling magnanimous that day.
Saw them last year and honestly could not tell one song from the next. Pretty generic stuff...
Bland
always a favorite
I saw these guys a few years ago in a little....
No, wait...
That was Collective Soul.
No, wait...
That was Collective Soul.
Ydesign wrote:
Oprah? ... I don't get it - she has a very grating voice ...
So many negatives? Lots of great singers are whiney. If you want perfect voices listen to Oprah!
Was a breath of fresh air when it was new. Great live band.
Was a breath of fresh air when it was new. Great live band.
Oprah? ... I don't get it - she has a very grating voice ...
I still like it.
Sorry, but I hate this band.
Over it!
I liked this song for a few minutes back around 23 years ago.
Now, not so much. It's proven to be a flavor of the month, and not a finely-aged wine.
Now, not so much. It's proven to be a flavor of the month, and not a finely-aged wine.
A coin flip view...CC is/was an alternative (along with DMB, Sheryl Crow, Goo Goo, Toad The Wet, etc) to the grunge craze of the 90's - an era of music in my life, that is only rivaled by the 80's...for worst music collectively in my ears since birth...
ottovonb wrote:
I agree about the DMB parallel. DMB-lite, and I just don't get DMB.
Now the cacophony piece is interesting since this tune followed Pixies' "This Monkey's Gone to Heaven." IMO Pixie's are energetic dissonance (=groovy) and Crows are limp cacophony (=bad).
There's PSD for anyone who doesn't like either. IMO again this song is acceptable, meaning I wince but wait for it to pass vs think about PSD vs actually use PSD.
The Dave Matthews School: Whining accompanied by cacaphony.
I agree about the DMB parallel. DMB-lite, and I just don't get DMB.
Now the cacophony piece is interesting since this tune followed Pixies' "This Monkey's Gone to Heaven." IMO Pixie's are energetic dissonance (=groovy) and Crows are limp cacophony (=bad).
There's PSD for anyone who doesn't like either. IMO again this song is acceptable, meaning I wince but wait for it to pass vs think about PSD vs actually use PSD.
ugh the album cover art is almost as pathetically bad as this "song"
ppopp wrote:
This song should be towed out to sea and used as the target for artillery practice. One of the absolute nadirs of 90s music. This got played way too much on FM to boot. Shame, Goldsmiths, shame!
Sheer bloody torture. That voice would probably work well for removing windshield ice.
This song should be towed out to sea and used as the target for artillery practice. One of the absolute nadirs of 90s music. This got played way too much on FM to boot. Shame, Goldsmiths, shame!
He sounds like New Orleans & cool country
Hmm yes. This is one album I'd happily delete from the playlist. To me it's not painful or horrible it's just bland and boring....
ottovonb wrote:
Not completely wrong.
The Dave Matthews School: Whining accompanied by cacaphony.
Not completely wrong.
So many negatives? Lots of great singers are whiney. If you want perfect voices listen to Oprah!
Was a breath of fresh air when it was new. Great live band.
Was a breath of fresh air when it was new. Great live band.
ppopp wrote:
But not music.
I love sarcasm.
But not music.
OK prove it by making the rain stop out here
I love sarcasm.
Dosequis wrote:
Dosequis wrote:
Great expressive beautiful voice. Real emotion. Kick ass talented musicians. Original and forward songwriting. They have dozens of great songs. Please Bill, more of this, just dig deeper in their catalog.
Sheer bloody torture. That voice would probably work well for removing windshield ice.
phewwww, this is evidence that I am NOT the worst male vocalist ever : ( dude's voice is way bad
Dosequis wrote:
Who are you, and what have you done with Dosequis?
Great expressive beautiful voice. Real emotion. Kick ass talented musicians. Original and forward songwriting. They have dozens of great songs. Please Bill, more of this, just dig deeper in their catalog.
Who are you, and what have you done with Dosequis?
This is not really my style, but I think this album is really good, so there.
That last "YEAAAHHHH!!!" would make a cool message or ring tone! 
just simply love this tune... off a GREAT album.
The Dave Matthews School: Whining accompanied by cacaphony.
Yep - strong emotion (kinda). Trouble is, his voice makes people want to vomit. It is completely vile.
Dosequis wrote:
Dosequis wrote:
Great expressive beautiful voice. Real emotion. Kick ass talented musicians. Original and forward songwriting. They have dozens of great songs. Please Bill, more of this, just dig deeper in their catalog.
Great expressive beautiful voice. Real emotion. Kick ass talented musicians. Original and forward songwriting. They have dozens of great songs. Please Bill, more of this, just dig deeper in their catalog.
yes ... nails on a chalkboard. Perfect metaphor all the way to the last note.
Zonkers wrote:
Exactly my reaction to Thom Yorke. At least this dude and his band have some upbeat energy, even if the song is wistful. But Yorke and RH sound chronically depressive even if the material is hopeful. Singing garbled, unintelligible, flat and off key just crank up the negatives. There are fewer Counting Crow song plays on RP than Radiohead, when I become my own DJ and tap the PSD.
Cannot stand the lead singers voice. Fingernails on a chalkboard every single time I hear that horrid warble.
Exactly my reaction to Thom Yorke. At least this dude and his band have some upbeat energy, even if the song is wistful. But Yorke and RH sound chronically depressive even if the material is hopeful. Singing garbled, unintelligible, flat and off key just crank up the negatives. There are fewer Counting Crow song plays on RP than Radiohead, when I become my own DJ and tap the PSD.
Hannio wrote:
Adam Duritz at his barely tolerable best.
Agreed. One of my very few 2's. Memories!
Sisteen years ago, we just opened our company in France after several years in Brussels, me and a friend, working long hours and teaching at the university. As much as the last year working for the European Institutions was tiring, this was our choice and we loved it. We were enthusiastic and full of energy. At night when everybody else had left we were listening to music in the emptied offices, LOUD. Sometimes dancing and singing along. This CD is a part of the set we used to play. I don't listen to it anymore, time has passed and we did other things. But whenener it's played on RP, I feel really happy.
Bill & Rebecca
Sisteen years ago, we just opened our company in France after several years in Brussels, me and a friend, working long hours and teaching at the university. As much as the last year working for the European Institutions was tiring, this was our choice and we loved it. We were enthusiastic and full of energy. At night when everybody else had left we were listening to music in the emptied offices, LOUD. Sometimes dancing and singing along. This CD is a part of the set we used to play. I don't listen to it anymore, time has passed and we did other things. But whenener it's played on RP, I feel really happy.
Bill & RebeccaOne dimensional...........and I LOVE IT !!!!!!!
Saw them live many years ago - great show - but as other comments have pointed out, very one dimensional singing voice that grates on the ears after a while.
Great song, excellent album!
Vile-sounding noise coming from this singer's mouth. Utterly annoying. Not at all welcome.
Zonkers wrote:
Amen to that, my frirend.
Cannot stand the lead singers voice. Fingernails on a chalkboard every single time I hear that horrid warble.
Amen to that, my frirend.
Great song. Excellent album.
Cannot stand the lead singers voice. Fingernails on a chalkboard every single time I hear that horrid warble.
They are still together, actually
The best and last best album they put out. Miss you guys.
Adam starts to grate the nerves for me. Good band, but vocalist is very one dimensional to me.
I had to triple PSD away from Peter bloody won't leave me alone Gabriel to get here but hell of a song from an amazing album. Terrible shame none of their other albums even came close to matching it.
I loved this song when I was a kid. My dad bought this CD with our first CD player.
Such fantastic music today. But, then, isn't that why we're all here...carry on.
This song always sounds good. Seems a bit timeless.
One of my favourite album.
Thank you for playing that for me.
Thank you for playing that for me.
Thank you for reminding me of this song (and the album) 
Jelani wrote:
Overall, this band never interested me either, and the singer and his voice have generally annoyed me, but this album had some good tunes on it - this is one of them...well, other than that screech at the end. If nothing else, the idea of a "rain king" is interesting.
I"m not a Counting crows fan,but i like this boppy tune.
EXCEPT that screech at the end ruins it.
Total anti-climax.
EXCEPT that screech at the end ruins it.
Total anti-climax.
Overall, this band never interested me either, and the singer and his voice have generally annoyed me, but this album had some good tunes on it - this is one of them...well, other than that screech at the end. If nothing else, the idea of a "rain king" is interesting.
Hate is not a word I like to use so I won't. I intensely dislike this
Every summer there's one album that scores so indelibly that it earns the title—oh, it's not official—of that year's summer soundtrack. This was 1993's as much as Revolver and "Sunshine Superman" were in 1966. Great album.
I can relate to raining in Baltimore, more...6 !
I"m not a Counting crows fan,but i like this boppy tune.
EXCEPT that screech at the end ruins it.
Total anti-climax.
EXCEPT that screech at the end ruins it.
Total anti-climax.
Twirlin and dancin to this tune full blast out of AR-11s, got me thru a hard time! Rock on CCs!
dogpound wrote:
I'm with ya there...
things were going so well in this set until this song.
I'm with ya there...
things were going so well in this set until this song.
This was such a great album, and this is my favorite song from it. 
Not my favorite from this album, but like it still.
Jimi_the_Saint wrote:
I was coming here to write the same thing! You took the words right out of my mouth, Jimi.
Oh, Sweet Jesus. Please stop with the Counting Crows. It's really horrible, whiney garbage that does not stand the test of time.
I was coming here to write the same thing! You took the words right out of my mouth, Jimi.
Jimi_the_Saint wrote:
Sorry but I'm with Jimi on this one. I don't doubt their sincerity but there's something about that voice...his delivery just kills it for me.
Oh, Sweet Jesus. Please stop with the Counting Crows. It's really horrible, whiney garbage that does not stand the test of time.
Sorry but I'm with Jimi on this one. I don't doubt their sincerity but there's something about that voice...his delivery just kills it for me.
Ha Ha! I think you are right!
luminousjune wrote:
luminousjune wrote:
adam duritz and peter jackson traded bodies.
Jimi_the_Saint wrote:
This album does. There was some real promise here. I never like saying a band has "sold out" or whatever but they certainly got poppier and lost the focus on display through most of this. A lot more to them than "Mr. Jones."
Oh, Sweet Jesus. Please stop with the Counting Crows. It's really horrible, whiney garbage that does not stand the test of time.
This album does. There was some real promise here. I never like saying a band has "sold out" or whatever but they certainly got poppier and lost the focus on display through most of this. A lot more to them than "Mr. Jones."
click!
Adam Duritz at his barely tolerable best.
Yuck! 
Sorry, but I hate this band.
I've never understood why people say, sorry, then tell us how they feel. As if we care anyway, which we don't. What do you want? Confirmation? Just be confident in your choice and leave it at that.