About the song
There are songs that speak to us, and then there are songs that speak through us—echoing memories, emotions, and timeless truths. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”, originally penned by John Fogerty and released by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1971, is one of those rare pieces of music that has traveled across decades, genres, and voices. But when Willie Nelson—the gravel-voiced storyteller of American country—recorded his own version, the song was transformed into something even more poignant and personal.
Willie’s rendition strips the track down to its emotional core. The familiar melody is still there, but it’s softened by his gentle guitar work and that unmistakable voice—worn with age, yet full of heart. When Willie sings, “Someone told me long ago / There’s a calm before the storm,” it doesn’t just feel like a line—it feels like a quiet truth learned over a lifetime. He brings a sense of introspection and longing that makes the lyrics hit harder, especially for listeners who have lived through life’s storms.
What makes this version stand out is not just the musicality but the emotional depth Willie brings to it. At 87 years old when he recorded it, he wasn’t just singing a cover—he was telling a story. One of patience, of sorrow, of the strange beauty found in waiting for the rain to pass. You can feel the years behind his voice, and it turns the song from a folk-rock classic into something that feels like a whispered confession.
In many ways, Willie Nelson’s interpretation gives new life to an old favorite. It reminds us that even the most familiar songs can evolve, taking on new shades of meaning when sung by a voice weathered by time. This version doesn’t just ask the question—“Have you ever seen the rain?”—it quietly invites you to sit down, listen, and maybe even remember your own.
Video
Lyrics
Someone told me long ago
There’s a calm before the storm
I know
It’s been coming for some time
When it’s over, so they say
It’ll rain a sunny day
I know
Shining down like water
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain
Coming down on a sunny day?
Yesterday, and days before
Sun is cold and rain is hard
I know
Been that way for all my time
‘Til forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow
I know
It can’t stop, I wonder
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain
Coming down on a sunny day?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain
Coming down on a sunny day?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain
Coming down on a sunny day?
Coming down on a sunny day
Coming down on a sunny day
