The Ronettes - Walking In The Rain - 1964

I first heard "Walking In The Rain" in late 1964, I was just 12 years old, and from the moment I heard it, I was blown away by the special effects, its incredibly beautiful melody, but most of all by THAT voice, Ronnie Spector's unique voice, and her tender phrasing on this song is nothing short of perfection. There is an elegance of orchestration, of melodic build up, that make it a majestic and memorable song; but it's the believability of Ronnie's poignant vocals that make it a CLASSIC. I have the 45, I have the Spector box set, and now the song lives in my i-pod, it has been with me all these years, and it was time to pay it the tribute it deserves- This is what this little video is all about, an audiovisual honor to the artist, writers and producer, for having given us this most perfect of records.

About the song-
In November 1964, the Ronettes released "Walking In the Rain" (Philles 123), their most dramatic song to date. The Mann/Weil/Spector written ballad reached number twenty three and won a Grammy for Best Sound Effects, the only Grammy Spector ever received.

Ronnie Spector amazingly completed her vocals on the first take, and she did so beautifully- Her poignant phrasing and honest soulful singing is what makes this record so special and so believable. Add to that the haunting ethereal chorus by Estelle and Nedra and lush and dramatic "Wall of Sound" orchestration/production by Phil Spector and you have the perfect teen rock symphony.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The
• Ronettes
• Girl
• Groups
• Brill
• Building
• Phil
• Spector
• Ronnie
• Barry
• Mann
• Cynthia
• Weil
• 1964

[chuckbuckbobuck]

@abcbraveheart--Ronnie Spector is black, white, American Indian and from what I understand Puerta Rican.  Very interesting combination. I don't think I have seen a cuter woman then Nedra when she was young---she has this puppy dog innocent look that knocks my socks off.

[boopkid]

@chuckbuckbobuck Puerto Rican is not a race....it is an ethnic group comprised of different races, black, native Indian or white or mixed.

[quenuca]

@boopkid I don't think Puerto Rican is either a race or an ethnic group, but a nationality. It refers to people from Puerto Rico, which is a country. It's like being Canadian or Mexican or French. You're right though that Puerto Ricans, like Americans (also a nationality) can be of various races, colors and ethnic background.

[boopkid]

@quenuca Very well said. Thank you!

[abcbraveheart]

I alwys thought ronnie was white but they were latina, right? What a cutey she was and great voice.

[boopkid]

@abcbraveheart They are not Latina, they are tri-racial American ladies Ronnie in her autobiography said that they had black, white and American-Indian ancestry, this racial mixture gave them their exotic and unique looks.

[BartA22]

This great song only made it to #23 on the charts? Must have been a hell of a lot of competition....should have gotten much, much higher. Under-appreciated song by the great Ronettes.

[bkeay100]

John Sebatsian (Loving Spoonful) said If he was abandoned on a desert island and had to choose 1 record

THIS WAS HIS CHOICE

[Azishome]

@quenuca Uh, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. Independence has been debated for decades, but only about five per cent of the vote, for independence has been cast. It is not a country.

[TheHeartmindsoul]

I just love this song and no one could sing it better.To me it is among the most romantic songs in all pop history. I have always loved walking in the rain and this song brings back a fond memory-lovely photos too!

[ursee1]

Damn I meant Estelle, not Nedra, but she may be black too.

[ursee1]

Ronnie actually refers to herself as Black and Nedra looks just like my cousin who is mixed with nothing.

[1nhman]

To bigsmittyfan, you have to be kidding, you think David Cassidy and the Partridge Family had a better version ofthis song? That was amature work in comparison to the Ronetts. Is the Partridge family in the Rock and Roll hall of fame? I think not.

[frb223]

ahh young and in love ......hmmmm

[matt2004]

The creative genius that is Phil Spector! Waaay ahead of his time...