The Sun and the Rain

"The Sun and the Rain"
Single by Madness
from the album Keep Moving (US) Non-album single (UK)
B-side	"Fireball XL5" / "Time For Tea" (USA/Canada)
Released	29 October 1983
Format	vinyl record 7", 12"
Recorded	1983
Genre	Ska, Soul, Sophisti-pop
Length	3:28 / 3:18 (USA/Canada)
Label	Stiff Records
Writer(s)	Mike Barson
Producer(s)	Clive Langer Alan Winstanley
Madness singles chronology
"Wings of a Dove" (1983) "The Sun and the Rain" (1983) "Michael Caine" (1984)
Divine Madness track listing "Wings of a Dove" (16) "The Sun and the Rain" (17) "Michael Caine" (18)

"The Sun and the Rain" is a single by Madness. It was released in 1983 as a stand-alone single and in 1984 it was included on the American/Canadian version of their album Keep Moving. The single spent 10 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 5.

"The Sun and the Rain" was the last Madness single written solely by Mike Barson until 2009's "Sugar and Spice". It was also the last original release of theirs to reach the UK top 10 until "Lovestruck" in 1999.

Music video

The music video for the song showed Madness performing in a rainy street. Toward the end they are joined by a number of Madness fans who join in the dancing. There are also scenes showing the band dressed in red with umbrella hats, supposedly wreaking havoc inside Suggs' ear, and shots of Lee Thompson running around with a rocket strapped to his back, a reference to the single's b-side.

Cover Painting

The cover is a detail from the painting 'The Storm' by the French artist Narcisse Virgile Diaz De la Pena. Painted in 1871, it can be seen in the National Gallery in London.

Track listing

• 7" single

1. "The Sun and the Rain" - 3:28
2. "Fireball XL 5" - 1:44

• 12" single

1. "The Sun and the Rain" (extended version) - 4:35
2. "Fireball XL 5" - 1:44
3. "My Girl" (live) - 3:10

Chart performance

References