Just Walkin' In the Rain - Johnnie Ray

Just Walkin' In the Rain - Johnnie Ray

2:37

single, 1956

Written by Johnny Bragg and Robert Riley, 1952

This song has an interesting origin.  It was written by two convicts in Tennessee State Prison, or, more precisely, composed by one convict, Bragg, who gave Riley songwriting credit for writing the lyrics down for him.  Bragg recorded the song in 1953 with his band, the Prisonaires.  Lyrically, the song is a plaint of a man walking around missing his lost love: "Just walkin' in the rain / Gettin' soakin' wet / Torturin' my heart / By tryin' to forget."  Ray's version has a crisp vocal over Ray Conniff's strings, a catchy whistle, and a male chorus that echoes his lines.  I guess it's not Ray's fault that he would become one of the first of many white artists to get rich and famous popularizing black music while the original artists stayed obscure.

The Little White Cloud That Cried - Johnnie Ray

The Little White Cloud That Cried - Johnnie Ray

2:13

single, 1951

Written by Johnnie Ray

Ray, considered by some as an important figure in the development of rock 'n' roll, here turns in a belting, overwrought pop vocal with emotion dripping from every syllable.  This is not early rockabilly or blues, but the straight pop vocal stylings of the time.  Ray was born partially deaf, which may explain his unique, wavering vocal style.  In this song, the narrator meets a lonesome, sad cloud, who, after complaining that no one cares if it lives or dies, then abruptly does a 180 in attitude and assures him that "Do your best and always remember / The dark clouds pass with time."  Clouds, man.  What are they really thinking?