Songs about storms are valid because nature periodically presents disturbances and unfriendly winds that will shake things a bit, altering the earth’s tranquility and everyday life.
Like a thief, most storms of life invade territories uninvited- leaving scars and landmarks that could be remembered for ages. Despite her strength and overpowering might, two things can help you pass through every storm of life; your attitude towards it and your attitude after it.
The eagle gives a blueprint for scaling every storm. While other birds are swept away, she soars amidst violent winds and ascends to higher altitudes. Songs are like wings of the eagle that can transport you to love, comfort and safety when you feel down. Many musicians have drawn lessons from their storms and capsuled them in tunes and melodies that could encourage their listeners never to give up.
Here are 15 songs about storm you should listen to
1. Blown away by Carrie Underwood
- Released: 2012
- Genre: Country pop
- Awards: Won Best grammy awards solo country performance in 2013, American country awards (2013 Female video of the year), CMT music association awards (Vidoe of the year 2013)
- Producer: Mark Bright
- Label: Arista Nashville
- Songwriter (s): Chris Tompkins, Josh Kear
Carrie’s blown away highlights the story of a girl who locked herself up in a storm cellar while her abusive alcoholic father is overtaken by a storm after passing out on the couch, bringing an end to her troubles.
Lyrics: Dry lightning cracks across the skies
Those storm clouds gather in her eyes
Her daddy was mean a old mister
Mama was an angel in the ground…
2. Here Comes The Rain Again by Eurythmics
- Released: 1983
- Genre: New wave, synthpop
- Awards: Highest peak at No.4, U.S Billboard Hot 100
- Producer: David A. Stewart
- Label: RCA
- Songwriter (s): Annie Lennox, David A. Stewart
The song is a love song that serves as a reminder to listeners how times can be good and bad. The song depicts unforgettable emotions of sad and bitter moments of love.
Lyrics: Here comes the rain again
Falling on my head like a memory
Falling on my head like a new emotion
I want to walk in the open wind…
3. Hurricane by Bob Dylan
- Released: 1975
- Genre: Folk Rock, Protest song
- Awards: No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100
- Producer: Don Devito
- Label: Columbia
- Songwriter(s): Bob Dylan
The song is a protest song against racism. It tells the story of Carter and John who were charged with murder in New Jersey. Their conviction was believed to be racially motivated amidst allegations of faulty and questionable testimonies and evidence in court.
Lyrics: Here comes the story of the Hurricane
The man the authorities came to blame
For somethin’ that he never done
Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world
4. Electrical Storm by U2
- Released: 2002
- Genre: Rock
- Awards: Highest peak at No.1 in Canada (Nielsen Soundscan)
- Producer: William Orbit
- Label: Islan, Interscope
- Songwriter (s): U2
This song relates storms to the turbulent emotions people usually have in relationships. It also talks about love, breakup, and pain.
Lyrics: The sea, it swells like a sore head
And the night, it is aching
Two lovers lie with no sheets on their bed
And the day, it is breaking…
5. The Storm Is Over by R.Kelly
- Released: 2001
- Genre: R&B, Gospel
- Awards: Highest peak at No. 4, Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)
- Producer: Robert Kelly
- Label: Jive
- Songwriter(s): R. Kelly
The storm is over is one of R.Kelly’s most populous single. The music star gives a testimony of how his life had witnessed storms of life in the past. He claimed he is born again and heaven is now over him in the song.
Lyrics: …The storm is over
(The storm is over now)
And I can see the sunshine
(Somewhere beyond the clouds)
I feel Heaven, yeah
(Heaven is over me)
Come on and set me free, whoa…
6. Ridin’ Out The Storm by REO Speedwagon
- Released: 1973
- Genre: Blues-rock, hard rock, psychedelic rock
- Awards: U.S platinum certification
- Producer: Bill Halverson
- Label: Epic
- Songwriter(s): REO Speedwagon
Ridin’ out the storm was inspired by an occasion where the Speedwagon band was stranded and lost in Colorado during a snowstorm. The recollection of their thoughts of the event made them write this song about getting through difficult times.
Lyrics: Ridin’ the storm out, waitin’ for the thaw out
On a full moon night in the Rocky Mountain winter.
My wine bottle’s low, watching for the snow
Thinkin’ about what I’ve been missin’ in the city.
7. Help! by the Beatles
- Released: 1965
- Genre: Pop rock, folk-rock
- Awards: Platinum certification in U.K and Argentina. Gold certification in Australia
- Producer: George Martin
- Label: Parlophone
- Songwriter(s): The Beatles
Lyrics: Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ’round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me…
The song help! centers around the possibility of being in the middle of the storms of life. The singer calls on anyone in such a condition to reach out to their friends for assistance.
8. Come Sail Away by Styx
- Released: 1977
- Genre: Progressive rock, pop rock
- Awards: Highest peak at No. 8 on U.S billboard
- Producer: Styx
- Label: A&M
- Songwriter(s): Dennis De Young
Styx in this song suggested that anytime challenges get you down, you should sail away to somewhere you can cope. Reports have it that sail away has helped to inspire people to always hope for something better in life.
Lyrics: I’m sailing away
Set an open course for the Virgin Sea
‘Cause I’ve got to be free
Free to face the life that’s ahead of me
On board I’m the captain
So climb aboard…
SEE ALSO: 15 Best Slow Dance Songs Everyone Should Listen To
9. It’s Raining Again by Supertramp
- Released: 1982
- Genre: Pop rock, art pop, soft rock
- Awards: Highest peak at No.1 on Canada RPM Adult contemporary
- Producers: Supertramp, Peter Henderson
- Label: A&M
- Songwriter(s): Rick Davies, Roger Hodgson
This song talks about people that have lost their relationships. The writer compares their situation to a storm that brings loss and bitterness.
Lyrics: …Oh no, it’s raining again
Too bad I’m losing a friend
Oh no, it’s raining again
Oh will my heart ever mend…
10. Umbrella by Rihanna
- Released: 2007
- Genre: Pop, hip hop, R&B
- Awards: Won Los Premios 40 Principales best international song, MTV Video and monster single of the year in 2007 among others.
- Producer: Tricky Stewart
- Label: Def Jam, SRP
- Songwriter(s): Christopher Stewart, Terius Nash, Kuk Harrel, Shawn Carter
Umbrella is a song that refers to the strength of a platonic relationship. It is associated with severe rainfall and a cover that the singer extends to her lover in her umbrella.
Lyrics: …No clouds in my stones
Let it rain, I hydroplane in the bank
Comin’ down at the Dow Jones
When the clouds come, we gone
We Rocafella
We fly higher than weather…
11. Praise You In The Storm by Casting Crowns
- Released: 2006
- Genre: Contemporary Christian music
- Awards: Peaked No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian AC
- Producer: Mark A. Miller
- Label: Beach Street /Reunion
- Songwriter(s): Mark Hall, Bernie Herms
The contemporary Christian song by Casting Crowns highlights the fact that God continues to reach out to his children even in turbulent times. The writer chooses to praise God even in the storm of life because God never leaves his side no matter where he is.
Lyrics: I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
And once again
I say, “A-men” and it’s still rainin’
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I’ll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away…
12. Riders On The Storm by The Doors
- Released: 1971
- Genre: Psychedelic rock, jazz-rock
- Awards: Italy (FIMI) Gold certification, and U.K (BPI) silver certification.
- Producer: Bruce Botnick, The doors
- Label: Elektra
- Songwriter(s): John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, Jim Morrison
Riders on the storm was recorded in an impromptu session by Jim Morrison and his band. This was the last song he sang before his death in France a few weeks later. The song has an amazing fx of thunder, rain, and the storm with a complete blend of cool jazz beats.
The song is widely believed to be the autobiographical narrative of Jims’ life. The killer on the road is a reference to a play he wrote called the Hitchhiker who goes on a murder spree.
Lyrics:Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house, we’re born
Into this world, we’re thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out on loan
Riders on the storm…
13. Standing In The Rain by Electric Light Orchestra
- Released: 1977
- Genre: Art rock, soft rock, progressive rock, pop-rock
- Awards: Got 3 platinum certifications from Canada, U.K, and the U.S.
- Producer: Jeff Lynne
- Label: Jet, United Artists, CBS
- Songwriter(s): ELO
The writer of this song paints a picture of loneliness and sadness. The character in the song however hopes that things will change with time. He uses the metaphor of ‘rain’ washing away lonely tears.
Lyrics: I’m standing in the rain
Getting soaking wet
I’m doing my best
But what do I get?…
14. Set Fire To The Rain by Adele
- Released: 2011
- Genre: Power pop
- Awards: Won BMI London Awards in 2012, BMI pop and Grammy Awards in 2013
- Producer: Fraser T. Smith
- Label: XL, Columbia
- Songwriter(s): Adele Adkins, Fraser T Smith
Adele’s set fire to the rain is a breakup song that encourages listeners to forfeit relationships that have gone bad.
Lyrics: I let it fall, my heart
And as it fell, you rose to claim it
It was dark and I was over
Until you kissed my lips and you saved me…
15. I Of The Storm by Of Monsters and Men
- Released: 2015
- Genre: Indie folk, Indie pop
- Producer: Of monsters and men
- Label: Republic Records
- Songwriter(s): Nanna Bryndis Hilmmarsdottir, Ragnar
This is a very emotional song that centers on inner struggles and battles that people go through. It talks about the contradiction of different thoughts and emotions and how they tend to tear reality apart.
Lyrics: But I feel it burning
Like when the winter wind stops my breathing
Are you really gonna love me when I’m gone?
I fear you won’t
I fear you don’t…
