雨の歌 - Living, Loving, Thinking, Again

Paul MacInnes “Readers recommend: Songs about the rain” http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2009/oct/01/readers-recommend-rain-songs

Bruce Springsteen – Racing In the Street
There have been victories, burning off opponents in his 69 Chevy. He references Martha and the Vandelas. But there seems to be little joy in his triumph, especially when his baby's crying through fear.
Chas'n'Dave – The Victory Song
Loved May1366's justification, more so than the song itself. But sports songs are songs too. And consider this the Chas'n'Dave memorial B-listing while we're at it.
Lord Beginner – Victory Test Match
A different sporting song from a different era and, of course, a different part of the world. Some of the lyrics are pieces of TMS-esque commentary: "West Indies first innings total/was 320 for 6 as usual." The grainy version I listened to made it sound like it was transmitting live from the past.
Terry Callier – Love Theme from Spartacus
Such a beautiful piece of music. "Almost close, almost here," what a voice. Liked the justification but I couldn't get the image of Kirk Douglas on a cross out of my head and so couldn't really associate it with victory. B-list it is then.
R Kelly – The World's Greatest
I don't like the backing music (strictly anodyne R&B), but let's face it, this song isn't about the music. It's not even much about his voice either. It's all about the bombast and, boy, does he deliver that.
Laurie Anderson – O Superman
Didn't know much about Anderson and certainly surprised to find this was a chart hit. Disorienting and eerie, I'm reading it as a dark hymn to the west's cold-war power (a victory of sorts?)
Everyone's a Winner – Hot Chocolate
And they certainly are when this number is up. Great hook and, like the Meters' I Just Kissed My Baby, it's about the feeling of victory that love can bring.
Elbow – Coming Second
This is one for all the RR miserablists. A fabulously gritty number that's really about failure, but does at least dish out the gong for "best dishevelled lover three years running".
Marvelletes – Hunter Gets Captured by the Game
This has an odd, melancholy mood (you can see why Massive Attack covered it).
Ice Cube – Today Was a Good Day
When life's little victories consist of not getting shot by an AK47. Underpinned by a great, lazy Isley Brothers sample.

？？？　ここに挙げられているのはどれも（少なくとも）表面的には「雨についての歌」ではない。Paul MacInnes氏も「内容は専ら気象学的である必要はない」と言っているが。勿論、コメント欄では、普通に「雨についての歌」が挙げられているが。
「雨についての歌」ということで、日本的な文脈では、多くの人が先ず八代亜紀の「雨、雨、降れ、降れ／もっと降れ／私のいい人　連れてこい」を想起するのだろうけど、荒井由美の「天気雨」*1はどう？　『子連れ狼』のテーマというのもあった。やはり日本における雨の歌といえば、Panta & Halの「Audi 80」ということになる*2。「強風波浪注意報」！

14番目の月

アーティスト: 荒井由実
出版社/メーカー: EMIミュージック・ジャパン
発売日: 2000/04/26
メディア: CD
購入: 3人クリック: 57回
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1980X(紙ジャケット仕様)

アーティスト: PANTA&HAL,中村治雄,鈴木慶一
出版社/メーカー: SPACE SHOWER MUSIC
発売日: 2004/06/23
メディア: CD
クリック: 16回
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英語圏で「雨についての歌」というと、殿下*3の”Purple Rain”。さらに遡って、ボブ・ディランの”A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall”、CCRの”Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”。この２つの雨が不吉な雨だとしたら、ZEPの”Rain Song”*4における雨は超越的恩寵としての雨といえるだろう；

These are the seasons of emotion
And like the winds they rise and fall
This is the wonder of devotion—
I see the torch we all must hold.
This is the mystery of quotient—
Upon us all a little rain
must fall.

但し、「雨」に関して、同じアルバムに収められた曲では、”The Song Remains the Same”の

California sunlight, sweet Calcutta rain
Honolulu starbright - the song remains the same.
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/The-song-remains-the-same-lyrics-Led-Zeppelin/48F0B7F7E8FC609F482568870002E12C

の方が印象に残っているということもあるのだ。勿論、ケイト・ブッシュの”Cloudbusting”*5を忘れることは許されない。それから、昨日”Like a Hurricane”を聴いていたことを思い出した。但し、ニール・ヤング本人のではなく、Jay Farrarによるカヴァー*6。