The iconic line from “Singing in the Rain” is one of the most recognizable song quotes of all time. Released in 1952, the film score by Frederick Hollander and the lyrics by Eric Maschwitz define the story of a romantically challenged mailman who falls in love with a cabaret singer against all odds. The movie stars Gene Kelly and Janice Abbott and is available on YouTube, where it has been viewed over 40 million times.
While Kelly’s character falls in love with, and ultimately marries, Abbott’s character, the actor admitted that the movie’s real-life anthem hadn’t completely been born yet. At the time, Kelly was starring in an untitled musical that had yet to be released, and he was scheduled to sing in the rain for the first time ever on that day. As it turned out, singing in the rain on a Hollywood set wasn’t quite as easy as it appears in the movies.
“I was quite unprepared for the moment,” Kelly said in 1989, according to the New York Times. “I had to run through some scales before I stood under the pouring rain to sing ‘Singing in the Rain.'”
While the song itself would go on to become one of the most covered tunes in history, it wasn’t initially met with universal acclaim. In fact, when “Singing in the Rain” was first performed in front of an audience, it received an overwhelmingly negative response.
The song, which was first performed in the movie, wouldn’t become popularized until the 1970s, with covers cropping up on YouTube and other online music platforms nearly 70 years later. In the meantime, this cinematic love letter to Hollywood musicals remains one of the most recognizable songs in movie history. It has even seen appearances in commercials, television shows, and animated films.
Why Does Kelly Find It Difficult To Sing In The Rain?
As it turns out, singing in the rain isn’t quite as easy as it looks in “Singing in the Rain.” While some performers may find it perfectly natural to belt out a tune as soon as the drops start falling, others may find it more difficult. In fact, it can be a Herculean task for some singers to even croak a couple of songs before passing out from exhaustion. Here are some of the most significant challenges that an actor may face while singing in the rain.
The Difference in Temperaments Between Actors And Singers
An actor’s job is to act. When called upon to sing, an actor must put aside their acting skills and allow themselves to become a living, breathing instrument. It’s one thing to be able to act and sing at the same time, but it takes a certain type of person to be able to pull it off. Take Josephine Baker, for example. The famous jazz singer was also able to display her excellent acting skills when playing Helen of Troy in a 1929 movie by Buster Keaton. Baker reportedly spent 12 hours a day for three months singing and acting in the movie, which was a huge success when it was released in March 1930.
Baker wasn’t the only famous singer to play multiple roles. Perhaps the most famous example of a singer playing multiple roles is Michael Jackson. Jackson, who was known for both his work and his eccentricities, had a huge role in the 1995 movie “Jerry Maguire,” in which he played both a lawyer and an actor. When the movie came out, Jackson’s role as an actor was referred to as the “fall from grace” moment, according to the BBC.
The Difference In Techniques Between Singers And Songwriters
As we’ve established, singing in the rain isn’t easy for everyone. When songwriters create music, however, they are usually equipped for the elements. As soon as the guitar pick hits the first few notes, the musician knows exactly what sort of instrumentation they’re working with and can start writing songs accordingly. Sometimes, this process can be hampered by the elements, but mostly it can be a quick and easy way to write music that fits precisely what the artist is feeling at that moment.
Singing in the rain takes a bit of a different approach, at least from a songwriter’s perspective. When an artist ventures into the realm of music, it’s usually because they have an idea of what they’re looking for and some way of communicating it. Sometimes this may mean consulting with a voice coach or even a recording studio, but for the most part, they will need to learn to trust their creative instincts and allow themselves to quickly become a sponge soaking up all the melodies floating around inside their head.
From a singer’s standpoint, this can be a challenge. As we’ve established, singing in the rain isn’t easy for everyone, and for some, it may be easier to just write the song and leave it at that. After all, that’s what a lot of artists do these days. These days, it’s not uncommon for songwriters to leave the process of actually singing their songs to specialists who can put the finishing touches on the lyrics and melody. In other cases, the songwriter will write the song and then find a performer who can bring it to life. In these cases, the songwriter’s only role is to write the words and music and leave the rest to the professionals. Sometimes this approach can work, but for the most part, the songwriter will find themselves bogged down in the process and disheartened when it’s all said and done.
The Difference In Instruments Between Music And Songwriters
Nowadays, if you’re writing songs, it’s probably a good idea to learn how to play an instrument. At the very least, having some sort of instrument in the room when you’re writing can help. This is especially true if you’re using a computer program to write songs. In some cases, software can help you find the perfect acoustic guitar or bass line, while in other cases, it may be all you need. For example, if you’ve got an iPhone, you can download the premium app, Instrumental Music, which allows you to create, edit, and learn to play new songs using only your voice and the app’s built-in instruments (pianos, guitars, and drums).
Learning to play an instrument isn’t necessarily easy, especially if you haven’t picked up a guitar in years or if you’re a full-time singer. Even if you’re playing an instrument you’re familiar with, it can be hard to find the right tone and style for a song. Sometimes this can mean relearning how to play an instrument or finding the right music books for the instrument.
These days, if you’re a songwriter looking for an instrument, it’s usually a good idea to consult with an expert. In most cases, this means finding a musician who can play the instrument of choice (guitar, bass, and/or drums) and who also happens to be a skilled songwriter. Sometimes this can mean finding a session pianist or a studio bassist, but for the most part, it’s a quest for finding an experienced and gifted musician who can bring your song to life.
Singing In The Rain Isn’t Easy, But…
Despite all its challenges, singing in the rain isn’t actually all that hard. Sometimes it just takes a bit of patience and some confidence to know what to do. As a general rule of thumb, if you can act, you can sing. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it can actually be quite difficult to find the right tone for your voice, especially if you don’t have the skills to match. When it comes to singing in the rain, some people are born with talent and others have to work at it.
If you’re determined to sing in the rain, the next best thing may be to stand under a shower or hose and let the water drip on your head. This can get the moisture going and help you find that perfect pitch. Sometimes it just takes a bit of trial and error until you find that right note. This is why actors usually end up playing the role of singer; they have the voice and can pull it off.
Of course, none of this is easy, and it wouldn’t be right for any of us to assume that it is. Sometimes you may find yourself in a situation where singing in the rain is the only option available. If you’re in a place where there is no alternative transportation, you may find yourself stuck in a rainstorm for a few hours or more. If this is the case, you may need to suck it up and put on a show. The important thing to keep in mind is that you’re doing the best you can and that you’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.