The Haunting Story Behind “Kentucky Rain”: Understanding and How to Play This Elvis Presley Classic

Elvis Presley’s “Kentucky Rain” is a song that resonates with a unique blend of melancholy and determined searching. If you’re looking to Play Elvis Presley Kentucky Rain, understanding its rich history and emotional depth enhances the experience. This classic track, recorded during a pivotal moment in Elvis’s career, tells a story of a man’s desperate search for a lost love amidst a relentless downpour. Let’s delve into the making of this haunting ballad and its lasting legacy in Shocknaue Entertainment News.

A Pivotal Period: The 1969 Memphis Sessions

Elvis Presley must have felt a renewed sense of purpose on the evening of February 19th, 1969. Just two nights prior, a marathon all-night session had confirmed that his initial recording run the previous month at Memphis’ American Sound Studios wasn’t a fluke. He was in the midst of what would later be recognized as one of the most significant periods in rock history, sparking a creative resurgence that would influence countless artists. While he may not have grasped the full historical weight at the time, Elvis likely felt profound gratitude. He hadn’t delivered music with this level of raw power on record since his 1967 session that produced his take on Jerry Reed’s ‘Guitar Man’, marking a departure from the less inspired material of his film years. This era, in contrast to the early days dominated by tracks like those penned by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller for “Hound Dog”, represented a powerful artistic reclamation.

That particular February evening turned out to be less prolific in terms of song count compared to other nights during Elvis’s collaboration with producer Chips Moman at American Sound. Most sessions yielded at least three master recordings, but this one managed only two. However, both were exceptional. Later in the night and into the early morning, Presley delivered a powerful version of Jerry Butler’s ‘Only the Strong Survive’, a track that seemed to encapsulate his courageous stand at American Sound in 1969. Yet, Elvis seemed even more captivated by the song he focused on earlier in the evening – a haunting, atmospheric narrative about a wanderer searching for a lost love on a rainy Kentucky day.

“Kentucky Rain”: The Haunting Ballad Takes Shape

The song Elvis dedicated hours to was “Kentucky Rain”. Its evocative lyrics and melancholic melody immediately struck a chord, promising a depth rarely explored in his recent recordings. The narrative of determined searching against a backdrop of relentless weather provided fertile ground for Elvis’s emotive vocal delivery.

The Songwriter: Eddie Rabbitt’s Journey

Eddie Rabbitt was approaching thirty in 1969, likely wondering when his big break would arrive. The Brooklyn-born artist had been establishing himself as a respected songwriter in Nashville throughout the mid to late sixties, but he had yet to write a song that would truly launch his recording career.

An artist with Northern Irish roots, Rabbitt might have seemed an unlikely fit for the Tennessee music scene. However, from a young age, he perceived a connection between American country music and the Irish folk songs his father played. Rabbitt recalled in an interview that music and writing were always his passions, noting that he penned his first song, a ballad titled ‘Susie’, at just twelve years old.

From Demo to the King: How Elvis Found “Kentucky Rain”

Rabbitt faced challenges getting his material recorded by prominent artists in the mid-sixties. Nevertheless, there was something distinctly special about the young and notably handsome songwriter. Chips Moman recognized this quality and consistently sought material from Rabbitt for his studio projects.

Rabbitt’s significant breakthrough came courtesy of Lamar Fike, a figure often associated with Elvis Presley’s inner circle. Fike heard a demo recording of Rabbitt’s ‘Kentucky Rain’ in late 1968. Rabbitt recounted the moment, after months of anticipation, when Fike called with the exhilarating news: not only did Elvis want to record the track, but he intended to release it as his next A-Side single. Rabbitt was stunned, describing the feeling as “even more than a dream” and finally validating his identity as a songwriter. Looking back, had Eddie Rabbitt recorded “Kentucky Rain” himself, it could easily have established him as a solo star. However, that success would come later, and even Rabbitt acknowledged that nothing he could have done would have matched the powerful and majestic interpretation delivered by Presley.

Crafting the Sound: The Recording Session

Elvis, Chips Moman, and the esteemed American Sound band began working diligently on “Kentucky Rain” just after 7:30 on that memorable February evening. Elvis historian Ernst Jorgensen noted in his book on Elvis’s recording sessions that “Kentucky Rain” “wasn’s an easy song for the musicians to grasp.” The recording process spanned several hours “to arrive at a truly accomplished rendition—but that it was worth it.” Despite the instrumental complexities, Elvis intuitively connected with the song’s feel. His vocal takes that night were described as mesmerizing. Moman reportedly became so enthusiastic listening to Elvis’s singing during each take that he enlisted co-producer Felton Jarvis to act “as a cheerleader,” encouraging Presley throughout the long night. Considering that just over a year prior, Presley had been recording less inspired material for films, standing in American Studios singing a song as mature and complex as “Kentucky Rain” must have been a genuinely emotional and validating experience. While the focus is often on Elvis’s magical vocal performance – akin to the passion heard when Elvis Presley singing I Did It My Way – the contributions of the American Studio band were equally crucial. Widely regarded as one of the best ensembles in 1969, their playing, from Bobby Wood’s piano to Reggie Young’s incomparable guitar work, dramatically enhances “Kentucky Rain.” It stands as one of the great American Studio recordings: a raw, powerful, and incredibly cinematic piece that has retained its emotional impact over decades.

Elvis Presley with the American Sound Studio band during the “Kentucky Rain” recording sessions in Memphis, 1969

Release, Charts, and Genre Blending

Despite its power, “Kentucky Rain” was deliberately held back from release on either of the two masterful albums that resulted from the American Sound sessions (From Elvis in Memphis and Back in Memphis). Instead, it was issued as a standalone single in January 1970, paired with the catchy track ‘My Little Friend’ as the B-side. Like many of Elvis Presley’s most famous songs, “Kentucky Rain” seamlessly blended the lines between rock, pop, and country genres, making a significant impression across multiple charts. Shortly after its release, it entered the top twenty on the Billboard charts and became one of the most frequently played songs of the year, although many felt its quality deserved an even higher chart position.

Taking “Kentucky Rain” to the Stage

Elvis Presley genuinely loved performing “Kentucky Rain.” In 1970, he incorporated it into his legendary performances in Las Vegas at venues like The International and The Hilton. Live recordings of the song offer a fascinating comparison to the studio version, showcasing how it might have sounded with Elvis taking more direct production control compared to Moman’s approach. The live renditions typically feature a slightly faster tempo, allowing more room for Elvis’s exceptional TCB band to showcase their skills. While the live versions of “Kentucky Rain” arguably possess even greater power than the studio cut, they trade some of the original’s ethereal quality for a more dynamic, on-stage energy.

Eddie Rabbitt’s Enduring Legacy

Elvis appreciated Eddie Rabbitt’s songwriting talent immensely and went on to record two more of his passionate and expertly crafted songs: the epic ‘Inherit the Wind’ and the rocking ‘Patch it Up’. Both are considered masterworks in their own right, though neither quite captured the unique splendor of “Kentucky Rain.” The song not only cemented Eddie Rabbitt’s reputation as a top songwriter but also significantly boosted his own aspirations for a solo career. Throughout the seventies and eighties, Rabbitt established himself as a successful cross-over artist, releasing remarkably well-crafted and performed albums. A decade after Elvis first recorded one of his songs, Rabbitt found immense solo success with another rain-themed tune, the chart-topping ‘I Love a Rainy Night’. This track remains one of the coolest and most resonant cross-over country songs ever recorded, standing alongside the diverse range of Elvis Presley upbeat gospel songs and rock anthems in influencing the music landscape.

A Lasting Impact: Covers and Fan Favorites

Since Elvis’s definitive version, “Kentucky Rain” has been covered numerous times by various artists. Eddie Rabbitt himself revisited the song on his excellent 1978 album Variations, released a year after Elvis’s passing. His rendition is heartfelt, gripping, and compelling, serving as a splendid tribute to both his own vocal abilities and Presley’s original.

In the decades following Elvis’s death, “Kentucky Rain” has appeared on dozens of compilation albums and box sets, solidifying its status as a key track in his discography. It was featured as one of the most thrilling cuts on the near chart-topping collection 2nd to None in the early 2000s and remains a firm favorite among fans worldwide. Among these admirers is the acclaimed musician Paul Westerberg, who began incorporating “Kentucky Rain” into his live performances around the time 2nd to None was released. Westerberg’s admiration for Elvis has been evident for years, notably when his band The Replacements paid homage to the cover of Elvis’s G.I. Blues with their legendary Pleased to Meet Me LP twenty years prior. Westerberg’s version of “Kentucky Rain” is a raw, genuine, and fitting triumph, delivered with the kind of unique individual spirit he shares with Elvis in the pantheon of rock music.

A Brief Encounter

Eddie Rabbitt and Elvis Presley met only once, backstage after a particularly energetic Vegas performance in the early seventies. Rabbitt recalled the meeting with an understandably exhausted Elvis as “short and sweet but a pleasure nonetheless.” Eddie Rabbitt sadly passed away in the early summer of 1998. However, his legacy as a great songwriter endures, with “Kentucky Rain” standing out as one of his most powerful and emotionally resonant compositions.

“Kentucky Rain” stands as a powerful testament to Elvis Presley’s artistic depth and the magic of the 1969 Memphis sessions. It solidified Eddie Rabbitt’s place as a premier songwriter and remains a beloved track for fans. Its haunting narrative and compelling performance ensure its enduring legacy, making it a timeless classic that fans continue to seek out and play.