The Critters-Don't Let The Rain Fall Down On Me

[gibsosgerbil]

The Queentons had their song "Don't Let The Rain Fall Down On Me" way back In

January 1969.

1968 MCA Records Ltd.

[Alloy7]

This song had such a big impact on me when it was a hit, and then...I never heard it again until now. It's not one that gets played on classic oldies stations--in fact, none of the Critters' songs get played on oldies stations.

[SeaBassVamp]

Raining and Ripping Up A Storm Of Love.

[SeaBassVamp]

Super Stormy Song.

Rain-Tear Drops Fall.

Sorrow To Gladness.

Hurricane Of Happiness.

[MisterOldSchool1]

so many great music from the past, Why oh why dosent songs like these play on the oldies station..WHY!!!!!!

[greitje50]

Good song- haven't heard it in ages!

[gibsosgerbil]

I Think The Queentons Version Is Better.

[gibsosgerbil]

Nathen Whyte Was A Singer Of The Queentons Who Sang "Don't Let The Rain Fall Down On Me" Since 27th February 1969. Sadly Nathen Whyte Died On 29th September 1996 aged 52 years.

[tvseal0001]

I'm a proud nephew! I'm sure you guys have heard of my uncle Ken Gorka ; )

[FingerboardCorners]

Talk about foreshadowing. The chorus sounds a lot like "Who Loves You" with Don Ciccone on background vocals 8 years later.

[TheCrittersBand]

Boy, does this video bring back memories! I remember feeling so proud that my song had become such a big hit. I am once again proud to have reformed the band into "The Critters with Don Ciccone" and to be back in the studio recording a brand new Critters' CD. It's been a long time since the days of performing these songs in peg-leg pants and Beatle boots but we're still creating, recording and performing good music - some things never change. (Don Ciccone)

Visit: TheCrittersBand on the Web.

[shirleygibson]

@garageband66, The Queentons Had Their UK Single On 27th February 1969 Realeased On The MCA Album, "Valley Of Dreams".

[knyirady]

Have not heard this since '67--this is not a song they play on the oldie stations. Thank you YouTube and garageband66!

[is1531]

What a great song this was.

[djdavemick]

Nice soft rock sounds.

[KinomiyaMichiru]

A very nice song. My father introduced me to this song some 5 or 6 odd years ago,and I have loved it ever since.

[pmoyer50]

I'd much rather be an idiot than a war criminal. There was no excuse for what you guys did and if you think differently you bring shame upon America. Killing old men, women and babies? You must have sweet dreams, huh? I marched against the war and I'm damn proud of myself!

[rokoping]

@pmoyer50 --- poor you.....u ought to live in N K or Cuba......God Bless USS

[pmoyer50]

The lead singer was drafted? What a shame. Had I been in his shoes, I would have headed north for a spell. Very pretty melody and nice vocals in this song. And if some idiots don't like how I prefaced this comment, I suggest they set down their beers, sober up and take a hard look at some pictures of the My Lai Massacre. If they have a conscience they will understand why I protested against the war as did many veterans of the war when they got home. Your mother still wears army boots!

[nomiclas]

@pmoyer50 just a quick comment.vietnam/iraq= stupid

[offroot26]

Actually sunray, the flip side of "Don't Let The Rain Fall Down On Me" was a Chris Darway song entitled "Walk Like A Man Again". It had a kind of Bob Dylan feel to it. I talked with Chris about the song many years later and he was embarrassed by it. It wasn't bad, but nowhere near the quality of the A-Side.

[ChimpsInTuxedos]

@offroot26 you are the winner offroot-Kapp Records Ser# K-838 BMI 2:43!!!I love my 60's 45rpm's/check out my video page.its what Chimps in Tuxedos play when we perform

[nomiclas]

@offroot26 how could any song compare to this subterranean emotional brillant tune.this is in a league of it's own.there is so much going on in this song.

[sunray65]

I had a Garageband back in 1966-1968 in Connecticut and we were the opening act for The Critters at the Shack in Watertown, CT that Saturday night...a dance hall back then..their van broke down coming from New Jersey, so we had to do the entire night.! I was so excited to meet them and play on the same stage with them...it was on the radio and in the local paper that they were coming to town..."Don't Let The Rain" was a hit at the time...

[Flamethrowerful]

I love  all the various comment of this song. I am a musician, and have not been able to obtain the sheet music for it. I can "Figure out some of it, but would prefer the "Tabs", as given in standard . Is Jimmy Ryan, The author, composer, lead singer and Bassist, out there? would love to here from you Brother, Just acknowledge this and we will help me find the Music, thanks, Flame,

[hankyhoyo]

Great song! I still have the 45 and its sounds so good to hear again!

[Flamethrowerful]

Great and entertaing Song , by the Author' I remember hearing this Beautiful harmonic Poem , put to music, when I was 14 years old. The song brings back to life, all of what and who we are, back in the 60's We -Us , back in these days needed and craved such inspirations. This is my "Short answer" more to come, if you want!

[Petsounz]

This is such a beautiful song - but I love everything The Critters did. This is just my favorite.

[RaveDreamer]

Jimmy Ryan wrote this song in the same dorm in which I lived at Villanova. (Chances are, it wasn't the same room though). Not surprisingly, he wrote it when it was raining out. The Critters are the reason I went to VU. They were friends with one of the guys from my High School, I thought their music was the best and they were totally cool. They really were incredibly talented. All of them survived Vietnam. They had successful music or music business careers. Don still performs in FLA..

[offroot26]

You're sure right about "A Moment Of Being With You". If you have the single version, the mix is far better than the album version. I think Tony Bongiovi (Jon's uncle) engineered some of those songs from Touch'N Go. The songs on Projections (the 3'rd album) were much more progressive and again, quite original.

[RaveDreamer]

Thanks for the reply offroot. Is it even possible to buy the single version?

[sunray65]

I think New York Bound" was the flip side of " Don't Let The Rain"....

[christheone8773]

THIS TUNE always seem to cheer me up even when I am in the CRABBIEST of moods!

[garageband66]

Here's to less crabby; more happy.

Thanks for the view.

[is1531]

@christheone8773 

[is1531]

@christheone8773  This song was a great song in 1967,but still remains a classic in my book.

[spacepatrolman]

@christheone8773 in 100 years youtube will still be here and this video will still be here in 1000 years youtube will still be here and this video will still be here

[Khultan]

@claudinefae  I agree! : )

[offroot26]

Does anyone out there have access to any of the later Critters' songs, such as "A Moment Of Being With You", "Lisa, But Not The Same", "The Teddy Bear Affair" or "I Just Want To Sit Right Here And Look At You"? The Critters later songs were quite interesting, certainly progressive. Frankly, I'd love to get my hands on those Project 3 mastrers.

[garageband66]

I do not have them and I do not believe they were on the Kapp label so I am not sure where to get them. Ebay is often a good source.

[RaveDreamer]

I think all of those songs are on Touch N Go. I have it on vinyl. A litlle scratchy cause I played the heck out of it. I think u can only get it on vinyl. It never made it to any digital format. Don wasn't with the Critters when it was made. Jimmy wrote most of the songs and I think Daraway wrote some too. It was a masterpiece, great songs.. A Moment of Being with you is just fabulous. It amazes me that with all of the garbage that passes as music today, a song like that is neglected.

[offroot26]

@RaveDreamer You're right, Don was in the Air Force. The real monitary "winner" on "Touch'N Go" was Chris Darway. His song, Good Morning Sunshine, was used as the theme for a British Kids show and Chris made some nice royalties from that. The following album, Projections, wasn't very well engineered, but included some great songs. Like I said, I'd love to get my hands on those Project 3 master tapes. Much of that material would stand up today as really good indie rock.

[chucknchar]

wow, i remember this tune

[Wolfsky9]

Summer, '67, a true Lost masterpice by this Legendary group. I never, ever tire of this song, 42+ years later. Wolfsky9

[DoofsterDan]

LOVE THIS!...the soaring lead vocal, the creative chord structure, Beach Boys-type falsetto...WOW, the Critters could've been something!

[rpaltza]

I'm sorry, offroot, I just can't agree. This song is nowhere near the production and arrangement quality of Mr. Dieingly Sad. I hear too much of the Cowsills in the chorus and interludes. Now, you want a pop hit song that modulates interestingly between the verse and the chorus, you gotta check out the Walker Bros.' rendition of Make It Easy on Yourself. THAT is pure gold!

[Khultan]

Opinions, opinions, opinions, ANYWAY-LOVE the chorus and bass arrangement-coolnessness :)

[ajp55a]

Listened to this tonight again, cant help it,

just awesome

[offroot26]

Incredible song, arrangement, production and performance. The song was released without the band's knowledge. Pete Anders and Vini Poncia were hired to finish up the track for the label.

The song is totally unique. There's never been a pop hit song that modulated up a half step in the "tag" and then, back down to the original key, and then back up and back down. The chord changes in the chorus are just unreal.

[garageband66]

yes I have read that the band was not too happy with the label.

[offroot26]

You're right. The band was in a meeting severing ties with the label when their lawyer got a call and said that "Don't Let The Rain Fall Down On Me" had been released and was a "pick hit". The band was stunned. Their lawyer then used the success of that song to get them out of their deal.

Now, if The Critters had signed with a real label instead of Project 3, the story could have been a lot different. Their later material was quite original and better support would've made a difference.

[jrslam]

Well, not exactly. We recorded it with Vinnie & Pete and completed it in a day. The surprise was the release, as we had left the label, but there was nothing to complete; it was done and in the can. Don Ciccone and I are back together in a new band called "The Hit Men." We just released an album on EMI celebrating all the groups we had played with over the years, including The Four Seasons, Jim Croce, Carly Simon and many others. You can find it on iTunes. Called The Hit Men Live - JR

[MisterDyinglySad]

@jrslam Jimmy: I remember hanging out with you, Kenny, Chris, Thor, etc.,at Shades in Westfield. (My band did some shows with you guys. Do you remember playing at Shackamaxon County Club with Every Mother's Son? The Staten Island Pherrie? The Tunerville Trolley?)

It's cool to see that you & Don are back together in The Hitmen and I hope to see you guys the next time you're in the NJ area. Suggest you contact the Sellersville Theatre in PA for a gig. It would be a great venue for the band!

[spacepatrolman]

@offroot26 this is true they usually modulate up but dont go back like that beach boys song I write the songs

[tunesmith09]

ajp55a...and others...you got it right! Now, may I guess at the **** letters regarding what we have now? I'll take three consonants and a vowel, please...thanks!

Wish all of you had had a chance to see and listen to the Critters in person both at high school dances (in Jersey) and in concerts as I did. If anyone did you will understand when I say...although nowhere near as prolific as the Beatles...I would take the Critters over any 60's group...you had to be there...you simply had to be there.

[garageband66]

There are many of those words that call for 3 consonants and one vowel.

The Critters were/are a great band.

[ajp55a]

Hi tunesmith09 , thanks for aknowledging my and others thoughts. The uk is very limited, it does have its own great artists but with the vastness of the US I am afraid , over here we have missed so much over the years,so many US bands unfortunately pass under the radar nationally in the Us and so internationally we here in the uk and Ireland have miss out, All the best.

Cheer

Tony

[Khultan]

Very true what you say, ajp55a. I'm an American and born in 1968 though not born there, grew up in San Francisco (Hayes Valley district) and, if not for Youtube, I might never had discovered the staggering diversity of 60s early 70s music creativity. But, I'm making fantastic discoveries of your location: Episode Six, Pretty Things,

[ajp55a]

Hope your still finding great stuff as i am. U TUBE IS BRILL

[Khultan]

I'm finding quite a LOT, Ajp55a!

[ajp55a]

Hi Khultan. a neat little group from the uk early 70s is Pilot, especially their songs " Just a smile" , "Magic" and "January" , Dont know if you like early 70s but these guys like the critters just capture something.

[Khultan]

No, it's the 60s, particularly the mid60s is the period that I'm very interested in. But, I'll check out Pilot and the songs you've listed. : )

[ajp55a]

just found a couple of amazing American groups that you may Know. The association (everything that touches you) and New Colony Six (things Id like to say and I will always think about you) wow amazing cant get enough.

[Khultan]

The Association, I may have heard one of their number one hits. And I think I just found out about New Colony Six recently. Have you heard of Episode Six "I Can See Through You" and what about Apple "Buffalo Billycan" ?

[ajp55a]

Hi khultan.

have your heard, 13th floor Elevators (you dont Know) or the Avengers (fisher women) Going by your period and style  youll love these. I think. Cheers

Tony

[Khultan]

I know I bought 13th Floor Elevators first album on cd a month or so ago just from discovering them on Youtube and I just checked The Avengers (Fisher Woman) that you suggested and yes I like it.

[ramseymarkf]

Tony

Nice Pick !!!

American Mark

[ajp55a]

yes you guessed right. I can see they were amazing from other tunes also.. Prolific doesnt mean good, i agree. All those litttle numbers from those little bands world wide that we have missed

[Eeklex]

For me this was one of those "songs that got away." I remember really liking it (and, before that, "Younger Girl," and "Mr. Diengly Sad") an awful lot, but it didn't get much airplay where I was. I might have heard it five times at most back then--and never since. Good to hear it here.  It holds up well.

[garageband66]

All of the Critters stuff holds well in my opinion. It played a lot in my hometown and in my room of course.

Glad you found it.

[ajp55a]

How can this song be passed over for any generation. God help us with the crap we have now

[Ciogos]

This kind of tunes should never be let to die

[ajp55a]

If these guys had of just come from the east coast of northern ireland it would have been great or even the west coast of Ireland. A poor wee deprived Irishman

[anitashelby]

What a Great Song!!! 5*s Thanks Anita

[madarch52]

above average song and this is the first time i"ve heard it

[garageband66]

Thank you for viewing.

[captainsoul1953]

I used to hear these songs on my short wave radio via NYWW...New York World Wide..

Imagine the blank faces when i asked for them in my local record store...most were not issued in the UK or if they were it was months later

Jim

[garageband66]

Lables are such heartless bastards.

[07504201963]

sweet face.

[Wolfsky9]

I heard this song once--one time, Spring, '67; I spent 2 years finding out who did it, and where I could get it. It's a masterpiece, so reminiscent of The Beach Boys, say around '66/65. Truly, a "lost classic", from an all-time underated group! Wolfsky9

[garageband66]

Thanks for viewing.

[xeuropn]

Posting again. Would somebody please put the lyrics of this song on a new post. Thanks.

[krazeykriss]

All of the Critters hits did much better in the New York City region than nationally. "Younger Girl" actually got to #2 in the Big Apple while only peaking at #42 nationwide. Probably because of that, it became a well-played oldie around the country. "Mr. Dieingly Sad" was their biggest-charting national hit song, peaking at #17, but getting to #6 in NYC. "Don't Let The Rain...", while peaking 39 national, got to #5 on WMCA & #9 on WABC.

[garageband66]

That's the way regional airplay worked nationally. West coast groups had similar tales where their local stations would wear their 45s out but silence from most stations east.

It just shows us all that now with all the tech floating around today, the world is truly flat. (book plug)

[nomiclas]

what a great cover vid

[garageband66]

Thanks for the nice comments and the view.

[shirleygibson]

Did The Critters made their final single in 1967?

[garageband66]

Depends on who you believe. Many unreleased songs never made it out of the studio and were released under "compilations:" and such. Most sites do credit them as being done late 67 or early 68.

[shirleygibson]

The Queentons Charted their Song, "Don't Let The Rain Fall Down On

Me" way back in Early 1969, and The Album "Valley Of Dreams" realised on a record in 1982. In 1986, The Queentons

knew that they loved their greatest hits all

around the United States.

[FredFrick16]

Never heard this song before .. I Like it too

[rickhatch1]

I remember this song well from 1967, it is a wonderful song!

[garageband66]

Heard it down south many a night back in the day.

[xeuropn]

"The Good Guys" were on WMCA. The Good Guy Sound, The Best Around WMC,WMC, WMCA. My second favorite radio station in New York, after WABC.

[BearZest]

'Happiness is.. the Critters AND .. 77 Wu ay bee Ceeee!

[hsswthearts]

Critters/Anthology: The Complete Kapp Recordings,1965-1967

[garageband66]

Need to get that.

[nomiclas]

gb66 it's on her greatest hits volumn #2 bill

[nomiclas]

hey gb66 did you ever hear the stereo version of "young love" buy leslie---it's breathtaking.bill

[garageband66]

Where can I find it? Haven't heard it. Tell me more.

[sunray65]

garageband...great job!! thanks for all the Critters stuff...

[garageband66]

A very under-rated band in my opinion.

You're welcome!

[sunray65]

This I also bought in the summer of 67'..has a little bit of Beach Boys to it...love it!!!

[garageband66]

It's a very lush arrangement ala Brian Wilson and a little Curt Boettcher thrown in.

[xeuropn]

You're killing me.

[tayamkel]

i dont no this song is not my favroit song

[garageband66]

That's OK. There's plenty more out there.

[nomiclas]

f-55 i have always felt that way about this tuneit's just so special.bill

[garageband66]

It is a very good song.

Thanks for the view!

[forgetaboutit55]

Thanks so much for posting this. This song absolutely melts me. It takes me to when I was a kid riding in my parent's car on the West Side Highway, NY, WABC Radio, sunny days and that magical, magical thing that music can only do. It dips into your soul and touches you in ways that no other art form can. That's where this song takes me. Thank you again so much for the experience to feel this great again. The innocense, youth and the spirit live on through music.

[garageband66]

Well said!

[sunray65]

You must of been listening to Ron Lundy or Dan Ingram, maybe Harry Harrison, Chuck Leonard, or Jay Reynolds overnight!!..how bout Brucie!..am I close??..I listened to 77 WABC too here in Connecticut...met Ron Lundy in 1970 at WABC...I used to call him and he invited me to the station..I was a broadcaster too for 25 years...great station...

[forgetaboutit55]

Yes, you are absolutely correct my friend. Every name you mentioned, I heard on the radio. It was

"77, W-A-B-C." Dandee Dan Daniels, Ron Lundy, Dan Ingram, Harry Harrison (did he do the news?) Cousin Brucee, Bruce Morrow, Scott Muni. These guys had real personalities. Some of them may have been from WCBS. They had fun. They were down to earth and not intimidated to show their feelings on air. I loved it and I loved life. What a blessing I lived back then. Thank God for "The Good Guys."

[garageband66]

That was a by-gone era; I wish it'd never have left.

[sunray65]

Hi.....Harry Harrison did mornings and Bob Hart did news...I just don't remember which airshift was on with news..might have been afternoons with Dan Ingram...WABC chime time....remember that after every song...I believe it was recorded on the cartridge after the song on purpose...so you wouldn't forget to do the time...

[spacepatrolman]

they broadcasted at 100,000 watts people picked up on electric guitars and the braces on their teeth

[sunsets1970]

yes, i hear that in great 60s songs, it just spoils it when radio has to play them over and over.This one i havent heard for a long time,it still sounds great.

[garyco34]

Its good to notice great 60s songs still stand the test of time.

[garageband66]

There was a lot of good stuff that came out and there just wasn't room for all of it; they came and went up and down the charts quickly.

[nomiclas]

jill was a blonde beautiful girl i met and she was a younger girl and it wouldn't work but i loved the song and the girl.oh well

[garageband66]

Yes those "Younger Girl's" keep rolling cross my mind. And no matter how much I try I can't seem to leave those memories behind.

[JoHomza1]

Another great song that did not get a lot of exposure when first aired. I actually remember hearing this song in April of 1967 WABC AM New York with Cousin Brucey. And yes, I agree with another reviewer that "Oldies" stations do not play some of the best songs of the 60's. In 1967 I also recall "Get Me to the World On Time" Electric Prunes, "PataPata" MaryAnn Maceeba, "California Nights" Lesley Gore - the list goes on.

[garageband66]

Love California Nights, I believe it was far and away Leslie's best vocal effort.

[spacepatrolman]

Bobby Jay played it one time on an oldies countdown on WCBSFM in NY in the 1980s.

[cbat115]

fall 1967 my friend howe gets no attention from the teacher so he coins the critters lines in this song have u no time to listen... sings it 2 her... he gets detention.priceless...thanks

[garageband66]

I'd like to have seen that.

[barriedams]

this is a terrific record.

[garageband66]

Mine too and another of those that just does not get the airplay from the so-called oldies stations. It makes the satellite stations worth paying for to hear what actual 60's and 70's radio was like. When they actually played variety.

[speedy45rpm]

Good recall, billricub. Some others out in the fall of 67 were "Zip Code" by the Five Americans, "You Keep Running Away" by the Four Tops and "It's You That I Need" by the Temptations. Also "Gettin' Together" by Tommy James and the Shondells, and don't ask me why I remember this, but an obscure one by Gary Lewis and the Playboys called "Jill."

[garageband66]

It's been a while since I have heard "Even the Bad Times" by The Tremeloes. Got to see about getting that one on!

[repoocdoug]

I have been waiting for this song to show up! Finally.....thanks for posting!

[garageband66]

Glad to do it!

[garageband66]

Yes he did and it's kinda' funny this summer I saw Franki Valli and the Beach Boys in concert together and Franki has his "new" 4 seasons and they all remind me of boy-band rejects. Franki sounded great and his "seasons" were more dancers than singers but it was a great show, probably the last time I'll ever see them.