The Meaning Behind The Song: Why Does It Always Rain On Me? by Travis
Travis is undoubtedly one of the most prominent bands that emerged from the Britpop scene in the late 90s. The Scottish band had a string of hits such as “Sing,” “Driftwood” and “Side,” but one track in particular has become a timeless classic – “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” Released in 1999 as a single, it became their breakthrough hit, peaking at number ten in the UK charts and garnering massive airplay around the world. But what is the meaning behind the song? In this article, we’ll unpack the lyrics and explore what inspired the track.
The Lyrics
At first glance, the lyrics might appear to be a simple ode to the woes of the weather. Fran Healy, the band’s frontman and the song’s writer, sings about getting soaking wet on a rainy day and feeling like the world is against him. But dig a little deeper, and the lyrics reveal a more profound existential crisis.
In the chorus, Healy sings, “But is it because I lied when I was seventeen? / Why does it always rain on me? / Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?” This line is crucial to understanding the song’s meaning. It hints at a dirty secret that Healy has been harboring since he was a teenager. The rain, in this context, represents the guilt and shame that he can’t shake off. He feels that he’s being punished by God or the universe for his past mistakes.
The Inspiration
So what is the secret that Healy is alluding to in the song? In interviews, he has been rather coy about the exact details, but he has hinted that it has to do with stealing money from a friend when he was seventeen. He told NME in 1999, “I had a penpal in Canada, and I stole £700 from him. It was the most shameful thing I ever did.” He also said that the experience stayed with him for years and that he tried to make amends by sending the money back years later.
Healy’s confession is an essential part of the song’s emotional resonance. The fact that he was able to put his guilt and shame into a song that millions of people could relate to is a testament to his songwriting abilities. Healy has said that he wrote the song in fifteen minutes while sitting on a park bench, and the melody came to him almost subconsciously.
The Legacy
“Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” remains one of Travis’s most significant songs and has endured as a classic of the Britpop era. The song’s bittersweet lyrics and soaring melody have earned it a place in the pantheon of great British pop songs. In 2019, as part of the 20th anniversary of the song’s release, Travis performed the song on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury festival, cementing its place in pop culture history.
FAQs
What is the meaning behind “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?”
The song is about feeling punished by the world for past mistakes. The rain is a metaphor for guilt and shame that the singer can’t shake off. He believes that he’s being punished by God or the universe.
What happened to Fran Healy when he was seventeen?
Healy has been coy about the exact details, but he has said that he stole money from a pen pal in Canada.
How did the song come about?
Healy wrote the song in fifteen minutes while sitting on a park bench. The melody came to him almost subconsciously.
Who produced the song?
The song was produced by British producer Nigel Godrich, who has worked with Radiohead, Paul McCartney, and Beck, among others.
What other songs are on the album that “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” appears on?
The song appears on Travis’s second album, “The Man Who,” which also features hits such as “Writing to Reach You” and “Turn.”
What other hits did Travis have?
Travis had several hits in the UK, including “Sing,” “Driftwood” and “Side.” They also achieved moderate success in other countries, such as the US and Australia.
When was the song released?
“Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” was released as a single in August 1999.
What instruments are used in the song?
The song features acoustic guitars, piano, and drums.
How did the song perform in the charts?
The song peaked at number ten on the UK singles chart and charted in several other countries.
How has the song been received over time?
The song has remained a classic of the Britpop era and is considered one of Travis’s defining songs. The song has also been covered by several artists, including James Blunt and KT Tunstall.
What impact did “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” have on Travis’s career?
The song was Travis’s breakthrough hit and catapulted them to international fame. The album it appeared on, “The Man Who,” went on to sell over 3.5 million copies worldwide.
Has Fran Healy ever talked about his inspiration for the song?
Healy has been relatively candid about the song’s inspiration in interviews. He has said that the song is about a shameful incident from his past that he tried to make amends for. He has also said that the song’s lyrics came to him quickly and that it was almost a subconscious process.
