Counting Crows, Rain King 2003

[edeprima]

Original is awesome, but after ten years of it, I love when the original artist can come with these pure acoustical versions. I LOVE this arrangement. Adam is sooooo talented. I wish August and Everything After would tour again in new arrangements such as this. It's brilliant and pulls the very strings of my heart.

[jasontlundquist]

amazing



[KIRSCH3D]

Nuthin' without you babe~

[greenraevin1013]

Loveeeee...

[1975cyn]

Fucking LOVE this version. Although it has ruined me on all the other versions...

[62susiek]

I LOVE this version !

[stairwaygoddess]

I bet that hood and hair is HOT.

[justplayfm]

This video was just added to a music playlist at JustPlay.fm

[blueyesfaery]

A sit back, smile on your face, snuggle under the covers, best ice cream you ever tasted performance of Rain King.

[agroveist]

I just love this performance. Best.

[wojtek0000]

THE definitive Counting Crows songs.

[Vertigo2903]

I start to lose it around 4 min..i can't describe this

[TheHarge]

Adam, along with the other excellent musicians; what can I say? My mind is ever blown by the extreme talent and feeling that goes into the works that these fellows publish. All I can say to the Counting Crows is: THANK YOU...mICHAEL hARGARTEN 4/29/11

[CKMunsta]

that sound is crystal... wonder if that mic is neumann? beautiful stuff xx

[S0medude81]

Too bad the studio version is not like this.

[TheMrTide]

duritz whines way too often in his songs.

[EEnaNZZ]

@TheMrTide thats his style and its lovely.

[dickheadwitbighead]

great tune..ireland



[BigLee32]

incredible



[sukrpunch1]

absolutely beautiful

[AJMS10]

Only Counting Crows can make a song sound totally diffrent live, and let it still be as fucking genius as the Studium version!!

[granolachic28]

Rest in Peace Danny Franchini. No One played the madolin like you did. When I long to see you, I listen to Adam. I wish you had someone watching over you that night.

[safehands1978]

Fucking Quality

[mohammad5]

Great song, I like this version better than the original.

[Ritzdiamond]

i think this song is got something to do with Saul Bellow 's book.

[davesanga]

pure heaven or herion, either way it works!

[ilovelampproductions]

for all of you who are commenting on what he looks like, close your eyes and listen to this amazing performance

[breisleach74]

:) pure heaven

[myrtle164]

An absolutely amazing performance.

[poiksdotnet]

He seems wasted, and looks like a tool with the hoodie. I'll stick with the studio version.

[MammaBullie]

I'd never heard this song before now. WOW!! Thank you for this beautiful song and the elloquent presentation of it. I'm going to get some 'Counting Crows'.

[YourGrandpaIsHot]

@MammaBullie >>>>>Smart Choice, If you havent heard their first album, August And Everything After its an epic, timeless, classic. I HIGHLY recommend buying it. You wont be disappointed!

[cathymcinnis]

love this song.....always...

[S0medude81]

I hate the studio version of this song mostly because the live versions are so much better.

[Nokmusic]

i want that hoodie...it has superpowers

[JBulldog1020]

This is GREAT!!

[GnikNusEht]

free stlyled there lulz

[MizzouTigersfan10]

this is amazing. the album version is already oozing emotion...but this somehow takes it to a new level. love the crows, man

[darkcainevil]

What an amazing lyricist Adam is

[gmhoward]

This has to be my favorite performance

[mwtillotson]

I love how they regularly add partial covers for the bridge in this song. I have a version of them using Springsteen's Thunder Road, which is quite possibly the greatest song ever. So, needless to say, quite a nice choice.

[dannysback07]

I think I peed a little bit in my pants... Yeah, I did just a teenie bit...profound to run across artistic magic like this blend and oneness within the phrases with the mandolin

[seanbear69]

its not an ella fitzgerald song per se....its a gershwin song from the musical oh kay! but yeah ella's is the definitive version.

duritz really inhabits this song....probably the best i've seen him sing and its good to see the bridge has been slightly reworked so is no longer quite as "clunky"

[TheInfamousRinny]

Figured I'd post this, since noone else has: The interlude they do in the middle (that you'll recognize as not part of the original song) is really an old Ella Fitzgerald song that he changed (from woman's perspective to a man's) to work.... but I think this is the best of his ad-libs for this song. Few can match that passion.

[CKMunsta]

@TheInfamousRinny absolutely :) man i wish i could... 

[NOTHINWITHOUTYOUBABE]

Come Home Baby Im Sorry So Sorry!

[sydneycarton79]

plenty of strawberries

[zebratraceur]

who is the dude in the banjo like thingie?

[specialagentkadyanne]

@zebratraceur Immy, he's one of the guitarists, and it's called a mandolin :)

[suzycoronel]

can anyone tell me where to find this for download to itunes?

[suzycoronel]

can anyone tell me how to find this version of Rain King for download to itunes? Can't find it!

[Insomniac964]

Adam Duritz is my hero.

[AnkaMsc]

I love Counting Crows even though Adam is not the best live singer ever. This video proves he has good moments though:) Definitely one of the best lyricists I know.

[MissyBooz]

@AnkaMsc he is amazing live!!!!!! Some of his best vocals are live!

[AnkaMsc]

@MissyBooz Ok, I agree - some of his best vocals are live but some of the worst are as well

[valleygirl00100]

Does anyone know what this video is a part of??

I remember a live-studio type performance that came out for the 10th anniv. of August & Everything after...I used to be on the band's myspace.

I would give anything to see that again!!!

[ajs92982]

timeless - helping me through it all by providing hope of finding the next one who will watch over me, and hopefully the last one....

[kristlkrost]

He's amazing ..He makes me stand up

at attention!! He make my nerves jangle.

He does it to me..Thank you!

[kristlkrost]

He's amazing ..He makes me stand up

at attention!! He make my nerves jangle.

He does it to me..Thank you!

[jasontlundquist]

I wonder the lyrics behind "in the service of the queen" because henderson is kinda defiant of all women. Is Adam saying that he is ready for the final woman in his life----doubtful though because he has divorced 2 since. Great song and by the way the book the NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE to those intersested

[kyoto3x]

hermoso

[yackocan]

I liked the original but this version is almost heart wrenching.

[Chicolitolv]

BEAUTIFUL....

[Lily2U1515]

Dave Bryson rocks

[ThePitchmister]

Adam Duritz has got king vocals

[scribe3s]

@ThePitchmister I give you that, but I think his lyrics, the use of words, the form, the illusory content are so amazing that he truly is a lyricist.......his vocals are awesome, but what he puts into content just blows me away...................I'm glad to see others like you appreciate his style...............

[ThePitchmister]

@scribe3s Couldn't have said it better myself. I totally agree, the man's got raw passion!

[YourGrandpaIsHot]

@scribe3s Right on, and amazing and unique lyricist, he is so rare. Especially now!

[killmodell]

fuck n a that is good stuff...

[WhiteBreadLife]

Freaking Awesome, Have you read the book?

[chavao666]

@WhiteBreadLife

don't know if you're talking to me

huauhauauhhua

but, yeah, I've bought the book but still haven't started reading it...

just 2 chapters maybe...

tell u when I do finish it

ahauahu

[chavao666]

come back here every ssingle day

i just love this version so much.....

[countlesscorpses]

holy shit.

[frankdidit]

this is the definitive version of this song nothing else!!

[L3athaL]

Music aint like this now a days, Wish it was 90s had great music

[drawgo]

Unexpected "cover" of Someone To Watch Over Me. Not exactly the Gershwin, but a really nice surprise.

Rain King is a beautiful song -- reminds me of driving through the snow-covered countryside in and around Northampton, Massachusetts, looking for some cider donuts. But those are just MY memories.

[deltaguy767400]

Adam Duritz and CC are the best, it's the only music I can listen to that evokes emotion. None of their songs are empty or throwaways, they each have a purpose and deep meaning. It shows esp in this alt. version of Rain King.

[kindbluey]

Pure Brilliance.............

[swebbo]

i heard this version live in london,they only sang it during that tour!

[floridaboyxxx]

I wish it sounded like this on the CD...This sounds hot live.

[tanny1800]

Simply the BEST!!!!!!!

[Drakadus]

Simply, a beautiful soul, through flesh he breaths his song like heaven's wonder. I love him.

[avoidthehumans]

Pure Brilliance. Rarely in life do I find a song that makes my mind block any thought other than to take in the flawless perfection of the music, the words and the voice. Breathtaking. Thank You tastyriffs, if this were a vinyl, I'd have worn it out by now LOL

[novapixel]

I could see the band in California once,.. It was the best concert a ever seen,... They are always in my heart!

[toxicsluge]

amazing!..

adam and the crows rocks!

[Naxxx]

the singer looks like like chino moreno from the deftones XD!!!

[natdrip]

around the 5 min mark he gets down. 5/5

[McGeneral]

Awesome song, and very nice version with the lyrics of "Someone to watch over me".

Anyone got this audio file for me? =)

5/5

[ajs92982]

Song is awesome - by far the best version. He is so great live, the only way to hear him!

[hatelyIII]

just brilliant,soulful and passionate

[daddy12345NZ]

Gr8

[Jessi467]

This version is definitely my favorite of this song. For Sure!! Pure Awesomeness!!

[leah1998]

Dont try to bleed me, cause i been there before... i deserve a little more..!!!!!

[napoleonicstrike]

"There's someone I'm longing to see, I hope that she turns out to be someone to watch over me."

Amen. I dream of that every day.

[MizzouTigersfan10]

"though i may not be the man some girls think of as handsome....to my heart, you will carry the key." i cannot even begin to explain how much i love that line

[hatherwoodsmed]

when i think of heaven.....THIS SONG?....

[classylady713]

RAW & BRILLIANT!!! = )

[JohSkies]

Too brilliant and too intense for words.

[jasontlundquist]

This song is based entirely on the book "Henderson the Rain King." I would encourage anyone who loves this song to check out the book. It's written by Saul Bellow and won the Nobel Prize for literature.

[dcdavid84]

Hey, thanks for the info, I didn't know that.

I will definitely have a look at the book

[qjuice14]

This song definitely got its primary inspiration from "Henderson the Rain King", but it is not "based entirely" on the book as you say. Duritz combines inspiration from the book with his own life experiences to combine to make this masterpiece of a song.

[o0NicolaiP0o]

and in this song he includes the lyrics of "Someone To Watch Over Me" as well...

[novicarious]

of course this song isnt 'based entirely' on a book. apart from the Rain King ref etc. Adam Duritz always adds his own personal life and emotions to songs. the old song 'Someone watch over me' is worked into this song also. its a beautiful song and interpretation . no need to take away its origin or inspiration by throwing it soley onto someone else's literature...amazing rendition. thanks for posting.

[Avis516]

this music works so well for pennsylvania in the early spring.

[charlesrwilson]

I' ve been watching this everyday for about a week. I live in WA. Their music fits the scene perfectly.

[DERHHlolololol]

does he change the lyrics spontaniously or has he wrote other lyrics and just performs it different each time?

[taibshe]

think so. been told they are best live, and i get a chance when they come to belfast in may

[AtlasTravis]

The break down in this song is from an Ella Fitzgerald song. The "someone to watch over me" part, at least I think thats it.

[magicnet]

the band has certain regular "alternate" versions to certain songs but they do improve at shows. there is a rain king alt where cuts into Thunder Road by Springsteen that is awesome.

[777BLEU777]

7 for the Secret Never to be Told>>>Sold his Soul!

[777BLEU777]

Satan writes his music for him.

[spooky57571]

are you stupid!

[Goooooaaal]

this is a good fucking song

[Chicolitolv]

I've seen this live and this is one of the best...once again, thank you, Adam

[Korbeldalde]

one of the best songs in the world...

[kaze987]

There are live versions of the song where they perform it in a similar way to this. Its my favourite way too :)

[methtical3006]

I'm sure he's loving what he's doing.....

[tommylondon82]

great song

[ebhandparker]

This is in my top 10 of gorgeous songs. I don't really care how much Adam changes it, it is still magnificent. The steel guitar adds a great deal to the MTV Storytellers' version. Write more like this, Adam.

[acousticdavefan]

i dont think this version is on any cd, thats not a commercial sound to it...this one has more depth.

[edgex5000]

i think this version is sick he is a musical expert haha

[pwrnluv]

i agree, makes it more powerful than what it already was, if that is possible ;)

[okonh0wp]

i don't like how adam always sings it slower and non-melodically when he does it live. it's almost like a spoken-word album

[acousticdavefan]

simply moving hahahahahah

[scrane86]

Is this version of Rain King on any of their cd's? How can I get a copy of this version?

[deltaguy767400]

Alas not, however if you can find a bootleg of one of their 2003-04 tour shows they played this version frequently.

[ArmyReserves01]

simply musically stunning...

[SeeEffDubelyew]

Homo it's a great song but you dont have to get all gay and say "simply musically stunning..."

[ArmyReserves01]

hahahah...you are such a fuck with...

[SeeEffDubelyew]

Haha good one, it was "simply stunning..."

[SeeEffDubelyew]

Lol loser

[jp169]

Brings tears to my eyes. The song reminds me of my brother-in-law who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident in 2003. It's one of his favorite songs and the lyrics are so poignant.

[sauciest1]

This is a period when Adam was having a hard time personally...and sometimes musically. It is almost a musical exorcism and it is brilliant. The passion is undeniable.

[barelyapianist]

100% agreed. he feels like a soul-mate to me at the moment, what with things in my own life

[danielpaulschmidt]

coolest tag ever. my god.

[holls41]

I love this song and i always end up listening to it over and over again and never get sick of it.

I love his voice too.

[deltaguy767400]

I love the Ella Fitzgerald alt. CC ROCKS!

[manatsunoshi]

shit, how far from mike is he standing?? his voice must be amazingly strong...

[bringer2187]

does anyone know what to search for to find the counting crows as VH1 storytellers? Duritz talks about all the songs before singing them, I cant find them anymore on here?

[dmb4life23]

They took storytellers off you tube for copyright reasons I believe..which is a shame they were great videos. Rock on Counting Crows!!!

[qjuice14]

they keep taking them off, and then someone eventually reposts it, and it cycles back around. Just gotta keep looking for it.

[kaze987]

Absolutely gorgeous!

So won't you please, put on some speed, oh, how I need, someone to watch over me...

[lucinda2005]

miss you so much, bubbie!!

[BenZeN9]

My favourite band, favourite version of this song. Song itself belongs somewhere in the top ten. :D

[devilsanddust49]

Really LOVE Counting Crows - I think this is my favourite version of my favourite track. Cann't wait to see them live in UK in December

[LS1LT1]

H0LY SH|T! I've NEVER heard this (or any acoustic) version of this song, my FAVORITE Counting Crows song by the way.

Wow, an amazing rendition!

[alissewonder]

You've never heard any acoustic version of this song? Look here on Youtube for this song's rendition on VH1's Storytellers, it's very good

[paultubs]

what a song cant help but cry the lyrics are fantastic

[trus68]

i can relate to every song on that CD. Something about those lyrics. :)

[joewalsh63]

This version is so awesome it made me cry. Thanks mr tastyriffs

[nixonpunk222]

the mandolin is bad ass

[starfiresemi]

Watched them tonight in liverpool they played a song from every album. it was brillant, however some of my favourites like rain king were missed out. i think if they had played an acoustic version of this it would have made my night.

[alissewonder]

You must be the person I envy the most in this world right now

[davepozman]

i agree with ekikcargren, i feel like ive grown up with this band. all my memories are tied to a counting crows album and song.

[winoogi]

check it, he is saying he needs a chick that will worship and adorn him, not be a typical bitch that only knows what she wants

[erikcarlgren]

Find it strange that e person like Adam is gifted in so many ways. Such an amazing lyricist. The gift to write absolutely amazing songs and finally the voice! I would settle with just one of these gifts.. The best band ever created in my opinion. Just happy to live in the same era=)

[cherieborsch]

yes, same thing for me...the different ways mr. duritz interprets them all in every performance gives them all a special meaning and im relating to them individually more and more...very fortunate this album was created for us !

[Kunwarara]

I bought "August and everything after" when it first came out because of "Mr Jones" but over the years I found myself relating to every other song on the album and "Mr Jones" got skipped a lot. Does that happen with other people or is that just me?