Buckets of Rain

Musically, this is a blues song; however, it has a somewhat more upbeat feel to it than most of the songs on Blood on the Tracks. This only serves to heighten the sadness inherent in the material, though, since it sounds like a vain attempt to be happy again. In the officially released studio recording, "Buckets of Rain" is played in the key of E major. Instrumentally there are only two: acoustic guitar and bass guitar. The guitar is not in standard tuning; rather, it is in "Open E" tuning.

Lyrically, "Buckets of Rain" is relatively simple, with five short verses addressing a lover. Oliver Trager describes the song thus:

Closing an otherwise desperate album with a light reappraisal of commitment, "Buckets of Rain" is a final, Sinatra-like tip of the hat sung with the playfulness of an old Piedmont songster. Though Dylan seems to liken the relationship he describes here with the ferocity of a deluge, he plaintively sings to his love, describing in light, sensual brushstrokes why he still finds her special. (88)

Lyrics are bright yet heartbroken:

Like your smile and your fingertips

Like the way that you move your hips.

I like the cool way you look at me.

Everything about you is bringing me misery.

"Buckets of Rain" was included on the Wonder Boys Soundtrack, which was released in 2000. Dylan also sang this song in a recording with Bette Midler on her 1976 album Songs for the New Depression. Dylan has only performed this song one time live, as a surprise opener at a November 18, 1990 concert in Detroit.

[edit] Covers

"Buckets of Rain" has been covered by many musicians, including:

Happy Traum: American Stranger (1978), Bucket of Songs (1983)
Wendy Bucklew: The Times They Are A-Changin' (1992), After You (2002)
Jimmy LaFave: Road Novel (1998)
Steve Howe: Portraits of Bob Dylan (1999)
Mary Lee's Corvette: Blood on the Tracks (2002)
Various artists (performed by Bette Midler): Doin' Dylan 2 (2002)
Various artists (performed by Wendy Bucklew): May Your Song Always Be Sung: The Songs of Bob Dylan, Volume 3 (2003)
Various artists (performed by Neko Case): Sweetheart 2005: Love Songs (2005)
Beth Orton and M. Ward : "Confidentially Speaking" Live recording @ "Largo" Los Angeles CA. Sept 30, 2003
Chris Martin at the Union Chapel, London, November 27th 2006. Martin then dedicated it to Lily Allen.
David Gray: During many live concerts.
Sarah Softich: Duluth Does Dylan Revisited (2006)
Martin Simpson at the Union Chapel, London, November 13th 2007.
The Wood Brothers: Loaded (2008)

[edit] References

Bob Dylan's official page. Retrieved 03/15/2006.
Cowe, Matt and Dick, Arthur. Acoustic Masters for Guitar. Wise Publications, 2004.
Trager, Oliver. Keys to the Rain: The Definitive Bob Dylan Encyclopedia. Billboard Books, 2004.