{{Short description|Song written and performed by Gordon Lightfoot}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox song | name = Early Morning Rain | artist = Gordon Lightfoot | writer = Gordon Lightfoot | released = 1966 | album = Lightfoot! }}
'''"Early Morning Rain"''', sometimes styled as '''"Early Mornin' Rain"''', is a song written, composed, and recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. The song appears on his 1966 debut album ''Lightfoot!'' and, in a re-recorded version, on the 1975 compilation ''Gord's Gold.''
==Background== Lightfoot wrote and composed the song in 1964, but its genesis took root during his 1960 sojourn in Westlake, Los Angeles. Throughout this time, Lightfoot sometimes became homesick and would go out to the Los Angeles International Airport on rainy days to watch the approaching aircraft.<ref>[http://www.americansongwriter.com/2008/01/gordon-lightfoot-extended-interview/ Gordon Lightfoot: Extended Interview ] Retrieved 29 June 2015.</ref> The imagery of the flights taking off into the overcast sky was still with him when, in 1964, he was caring for his 5-month-old baby son and he thought, "I’ll put him over here in his crib, and I’ll write myself a tune."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fink |first1=Matt |title=Gordon Lightfoot: Sunrise to Sundown |url=https://americansongwriter.com/gordon-lightfoot-sunrise-to-sundown/ |website=American Songwriter |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> "Early Morning Rain" was the result.
The lyrics describe someone down on his luck, standing at an airport fence and observing the thunderous takeoff of a Boeing 707 jet airliner. The general narrative of the song can be taken as a jet-age musical allegory to a hobo of yesteryear lurking around a railroad yard attempting to surreptitiously board and ride a freight train to get home. The song ends with the lyrics, "You can't jump a jet plane like you can a freight train", leaving this jet-age downtrodden man unable to get home.
==Notable recordings and performances== {{Short description|1965 single by Peter, Paul & Mary}} {{Infobox single | name = Early Morning Rain | cover = | alt = | type = single | artist = Peter, Paul & Mary | album = | B-side = The Rising of the Moon | released = {{start date|1965|09}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Spotlight Singles |magazine=Billboard |date=September 25, 1965 |page=18 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HCkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=peter+paul+and+mary+early+morning+rain&pg=PA18}}</ref> | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = | length = {{Duration|3:02}} | label = Warner Bros. | writer = Gordon Lightfoot | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} The version by Ian & Sylvia reached No. 1 on the Canadian AC charts, August 2, 1965.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.5598.pdf| title=RPM AC Singles - August 2, 1965}}</ref> Peter Paul and Mary's version of the song was recorded in August 1965, reaching No. 39 in Canada,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Vol+4%2C+No.+10+-+Week+of+November+1st%2C+1965.pdf| title=RPM Magazine - November 1, 1965 - page 5}}</ref> and No. 91 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The next year, George Hamilton IV's version hit No. 9 on the US country chart<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-hamilton-iv-p24401/charts-awards/billboard-singles George Hamilton IV charting singles] Retrieved 28 February 2012.</ref> In April 1971, Oliver's version hit No. 38 on the US adult contemporary chart.<ref>[http://musicvf.com/Oliver.art Oliver Chart Singles Discography] Retrieved 11 March 2012</ref> Paul Weller took the song to No. 40 in the United Kingdom in 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/early-morning-rain/ | title=Early morning rain | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company | website=Official Charts }}</ref> Notably, Elvis Presley recorded and played the song live dozens of times. A French cover of this song, "Dans la brume du matin" (''in the morning mist''), was a hit in France for Joe Dassin. Bob Dylan covered the song in his 1970 album Self Portrait. The Warlocks (the precursor to the Grateful Dead) recorded "Early Morning Rain" during a studio session on November 3, 1965, at Golden State Recorders in San Francisco.
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{George Hamilton IV}} {{Gordon Lightfoot}} {{Peter, Paul and Mary}} {{Paul Weller}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Early Morning Rain}} Category:1964 songs Category:Songs written by Gordon Lightfoot Category:Gordon Lightfoot songs Category:Peter, Paul and Mary songs Category:George Hamilton IV songs Category:Oliver (singer) songs Category:2005 singles Category:Paul Weller songs Category:Songs about weather Category:Songs about airplanes