In the vast and glittering catalog of Sir Tom Jones, a voice that has moved mountains and won hearts for decades, lies a tender, poignant ballad that many may have missed. Released in 1983, the song “I’ve Been Rained On Too” emerged not as a chart-topping explosion, but as a quiet, smoldering ember on the album “Don’t Let Our Dreams Die.” While it found a modest home on the U.S. Country music charts, its true power lies not in sales figures, but in its profound, raw, and deeply human message of empathy.
The song masterfully uses the simple, universal metaphor of rain to represent life’s inevitable hardships and sorrows. It’s a story of two people, one of whom is wounded and hesitant, afraid to open their heart again. It’s a narrative that speaks directly to anyone who has ever felt the sting of betrayal or the cold chill of loneliness. It speaks of the courage it takes to even consider trust again.
Renowned music historian, Alistair Finch, spoke on the track’s enduring legacy among die-hard fans. “You have to understand, this wasn’t ‘Delilah’ or ‘It’s Not Unusual.’ This was a confession,” Finch stated, his voice hushed with reverence. “When Tom sings the line, ‘If you’re afraid to touch my hand / It’s all right I understand,’ he is delivering one of the most powerful messages in his career. It’s a moment of pure, unadulterated compassion. He is not just a singer; he is a fellow traveler in sorrow. The song’s core, the phrase ‘I’ve been rained on too,’ is a declaration of shared experience. It’s the ultimate validation—telling someone ‘You are not alone in your pain, for I have felt it as well.’”
This theme of a shared experience is the very bedrock of the song, written by the talented Jon Philibert. It suggests that the strongest bonds are not forged in unending sunshine, but in weathering the same storms. The lyrics delicately navigate the complex emotions of hesitation and trust, acknowledging the partner’s fear without judgment. It doesn’t push or demand; instead, it offers a patient, understanding hand.
The ballad is a masterclass in emotional vulnerability, a stark contrast to the powerful, swaggering persona Jones often projected. It argues that true strength is found in the ability to show your own scars, to create a safe harbor for someone else’s battered heart. It’s a tender plea for building trust again, not on promises of a perfect future, but on the acknowledgment of a shared, imperfect past. The song acts as a musical balm for the wounded soul, a reminder that the rain falls on everyone, but it is through that shared downpour that we can often find the deepest, most meaningful connections, creating a bond that is unbreakable.