About The Song
Few voices in American music have conveyed heartbreak as convincingly and consistently as Tammy Wynette, and her rendition of “Crying in the Rain” is a compelling reminder of just how skillfully she could inhabit a song. Originally penned by the legendary songwriting duo Carole King and Howard Greenfield, the song was first made famous by the Everly Brothers in 1962. But when Wynette recorded her version for her 1981 album You Brought Me Back, she imbued it with a distinctly country sensibility, trading the youthful melancholy of the original for a more mature, world-weary sorrow that feels personal, lived-in, and emotionally rich.
“Crying in the Rain” is a deceptively simple composition. The lyrics describe someone who hides their sadness in public, choosing to walk in the rain so no one will see their tears. It’s a metaphor that might, in lesser hands, feel overly sentimental. But in Tammy Wynette’s interpretation, the rain isn’t just a poetic device—it becomes a shield, a private refuge from the gaze of a world that doesn’t understand or sympathize. Her delivery captures the deep loneliness of that act: the decision to grieve quietly, to maintain dignity even as the heart breaks.
By the time she recorded this song, Wynette had weathered both personal and professional storms, and that lived experience lends her version of “Crying in the Rain” a depth that goes far beyond the words on the page. Her voice—slightly husky, filled with resolve and fatigue—doesn’t plead or beg. Instead, it simply tells the truth. There’s strength in the restraint, and power in the quiet acceptance of sorrow. It’s not just a breakup song—it’s a song about emotional survival.
The production, typical of early ‘80s Nashville, is clean and understated, allowing Wynette’s voice to remain the centerpiece. Light touches of piano, soft strings, and steel guitar create a melancholy backdrop that enhances the emotional tone without ever overwhelming it.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
I’ll never let you seeThe way my broken heart is hurtin’ meI’ve got my pride, and I know how to hideAll the sorrow and painI’ll do my crying in the rainIf I wait for cloudy skiesYou won’t know the rain from the tears in my eyesYou’ll never know that I still love you soThough the heartaches remainI’ll do my crying in the rainRain drops falling from HeavenWill never wash away my miseryBut since we’re not togetherI’ll wait for stormy weatherTo hide these tears, I hope you’ll never seeSome day, when my crying’s doneI’m gonna wear a smile and walk in the sunI may be a fool but ’til then darling you’llNever see me complainI’ll do my crying in the rainI’ll do my crying in the rainI’ll do my crying in the rainOh, oh, ohOh, oh, ohAh, ah, ahOh, oh, ohGoodnight, and I love you all