“Through the Rain” is a song by Mariah Carey from her album Charmbracelet, released in 2002. Carey wrote it with Lionel Cole and produced it with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The song came out as the main single on September 30, 2002. A shorter version was also used as the ending theme for a 2002 Japanese drama called You’re Under Arrest.
Carey describes “Through the Rain” as a ballad, blending pop and R&B influences. It features a simple piano melody with soft electronic synthesizers in the background.
The song reflects Carey’s struggles in 2001 and encourages listeners to find strength during tough times. It reminds us that no matter the challenges we face, we can overcome them.
In this article, we’ll dive into the meaning behind the lyrics of “Through the Rain.”
Table of Contents
“Through the Rain” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
When you get caught in the rain
With nowhere to run
When you’re distraught
And in pain without anyone
When you keep crying out to be saved
But nobody comes
And you feel so far away
That you just can’t find your way home
You can get there alone, it’s okay
Once you say
In Verse 1, the line “When you get caught in the rain With nowhere to run” sets the scene of being caught in a rainstorm, a metaphor for facing difficulties or challenges unexpectedly. The mention of having nowhere to run suggests a feeling of being trapped or having no escape from the problems.
In the following line “When you’re distraught And in pain without anyone,” Carey emphasizes the emotional distress and pain felt during challenging times. The mention of being “in pain without anyone” suggests a sense of isolation or lack of support.
The line “When you keep crying out to be saved But nobody comes,” expresses the desperation for help or support during tough times. The repeated cries for salvation, with no one responding, intensify the feeling of abandonment or being left to deal with the challenges alone.
Carey emphasizes the emotional distance and disorientation experienced during hardships, sining, “And you feel so far away That you just can’t find your way home.” The inability to find one’s way home symbolizes the struggle to regain a sense of security or normalcy in the midst of adversity.
Despite the difficulties, Carey introduces a note of hope and self-reliance. The idea that “you can get there alone” suggests that overcoming challenges is possible, especially when one acknowledges their inner strength by affirming something positive.
[Chorus]
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again
On my own and I know
That I’m strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith
And I live one more day
And I make it through the rain
In the Chorus, Mariah Carey asserts her strength and ability to persevere despite facing challenges symbolized by the rain. She sings, “I can make it through the rain I can stand up once again.” The rain serves as a metaphor for difficult times, and Carey confidently declares her capability to endure and rise above the obstacles.
In the following line “On my own and I know That I’m strong enough to mend” Carey acknowledges her own strength and resilience, affirming that she possesses the inner resources necessary to overcome difficulties and heal from adversity.
Carey reveals that in moments of fear and uncertainty, she relies on her faith as a source of strength and guidance, as she sings, “And every time I feel afraid I hold tighter to my faith.”
In the final line “And I live one more day And I make it through the rain,” Carey reaffirms her determination to keep moving forward, one day at a time. Despite the challenges she faces, she remains resilient and continues to push through, ultimately triumphing over adversity.
[Verse 2]
And if you keep falling down
Don’t you dare give in
You will arise safe and sound
So keep pressing on steadfastly
And you’ll find what you need to prevail
Once you say
In Verse 2, Mariah Carey acknowledges that setbacks and failures are a natural part of life. In the line “And if you keep falling down Don’t you dare give in,” the mention of “falling down” symbolizes facing challenges and experiencing disappointments. Despite these setbacks, Carey encourages listeners not to give up or lose hope.
In the following line “You will arise safe and sound So keep pressing on steadfastly,” Carey instills a sense of hope by reassuring listeners that they will ultimately overcome their challenges and emerge “safe and sound” on the other side. The phrase “keep pressing on steadfastly” emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination in navigating life’s obstacles.
Carey suggests that vocalizing one’s determination and belief in oneself is key to finding what we need to prevail and achieve success, as she sings, “And you’ll find what you need to prevail Once you say.”
[Bridge]
And when the wind blows
And shadows grow close
Don’t be afraid
There’s nothing you can’t face
And should they tell you
You’ll never pull through
Don’t hesitate
Stand tall and say
In the bridge, Mariah Carey describes a picture of wind blowing and shadows growing closer, singing, “And when the wind blows And shadows grow close.” This imagery conveys a sense of looming obstacles and darkness encroaching on one’s life, representing the trials and tribulations that someone may encounter.
Carey reassures listeners that fear should not deter them from confronting challenges head-on. She sings, “Don’t be afraid There’s nothing you can’t face.”
In the following line “And should they tell you You’ll never pull through,” she acknowledges the presence of naysayers and doubters who may undermine one’s ability to overcome adversity. Despite external negativity and discouragement, she encourages listeners to remain steadfast in their belief in themselves.
In the final line “Don’t hesitate Stand tall and say,” the call to “stand tall” signifies embracing strength and confidence, while the directive to “say” underscores the importance of vocalizing one’s resilience and determination.
[Post-Chorus]
I can make it through the rain
And stand up once again
And I’ll live one more day, and I
I can make it through the rain
In the lines “I can make it through the rain, And stand up once again,” Mariah Carey reaffirms her belief in her ability to bounce back from adversity, regardless of the challenges.
She suggests taking each day as it comes and persevering through life’s trials, singing, “And I’ll live one more day, and I I can make it through the rain.”
Music Video
The “Through the Rain” music video is a heartfelt tribute to Mariah Carey’s parents’ experiences with racism in the late 1960s. Directed by Dave Meyers, the video features J. D. Williams and Jamie-Lynn Sigler portraying Carey’s parents, Alfred and Patricia Carey.
Loosely based on Carey’s parents, Alfred and Patricia Carey, who faced prejudice due to their interracial marriage, the Dave Meyers-directed video tells the story of a pregnant teenager named Kirsten, portrayed by Jamie-Lynn Sigler from The Sopranos. She runs away from home during a rainy day to be with her boyfriend, played by J.D. Williams from Oz.
Carey was inspired by her father’s photo album just days before they shot the video, which gave her the idea for the concept.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Through the Rain”
In the song ‘Through the Rain,’ Mariah Carey sings about believing in yourself and having faith to overcome anything. She encourages you not to lose hope, even if others doubt you. Keep trying, even if you make mistakes, because you’re capable of achieving anything.
In an interview with MTV News, Mariah shed light on the song’s meaning. She said:
I’ve always tried to insert positivity into my songs wherever I can, to inspire other people who go through stuff. I mean the stuff they talked about in tabloids and the things that were so overly exaggerated, that’s one aspect. I also went through a lot of personal stuff, a lot of family stuff this year. Losing a parent is an intense thing for anybody. It’s brought me to another place.
People are going to read into it as, ‘This is Mariah and her struggle’. But the way I try to word it is, ‘It’s OK once you say I can make it through the rain.’ Not just me going, ‘I can make it through the rain,’ it’s me telling people that if you believe you can get through whatever you’re going through, you can get to the other side.
Leading up to her ninth studio album, Charmbracelet, Mariah Carey endured a series of challenges. Following her divorce from Sony Music president Tommy Mottola, she pursued a lucrative deal with Virgin Records, only to face disappointment after the failure of the Glitter soundtrack and movie.
The label subsequently released her. Struggling with high stress levels and undiagnosed bipolar disorder, Carey experienced a nervous breakdown. Her recovery took place in Capri, Italy, where she recorded most of Charmbracelet. However, her father’s passing from cancer on July 4, 2002, added to her burdens.
“Through The Rain” emerged from this turbulent period as a testament to resilience. Carey intended the song to inspire herself and her fans, emphasizing the belief that perseverance can weather life’s storms.
Mariah Carey shared the significance of the album title on her website, saying:
“Charm bracelets have always had a personal and sentimental significance for me. Charms are like pieces of yourself that you pass on to other people, items that tell your story and that can be shared, like a song. The bracelet represents the foundation of this album, a body of work that encompasses many feelings.”
Lyrically, the song carries an uplifting message of hope, with Carey offering support to listeners. The lyrics use the metaphor of rain to symbolize difficult times and adversities that people encounter. Carey describes the feeling of being caught in the rain, facing distress and pain with seemingly nowhere to turn, singing, “When you keep crying out to be saved, but nobody comes.”
However, she encourages listeners not to give in when faced with hardships, assuring them that they possess the inner strength to overcome obstacles. She declares, “I can make it through the rain, I can stand up once again,” instilling a sense of resilience needed to persevere through life’s storms.
Despite shadows and doubt, Carey advises that we shouldn’t be afraid and can face anything, as she sings, “Don’t be afraid, there’s nothing you can’t face.” Instead of running away, she encourages us to confront challenges head-on.
Overall, “Through the Rain” is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure, find strength within, and emerge triumphant from life’s adversities.
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