Nothing Like the Rain

Last updated
"Nothing Like the Rain"
Nothinglike.jpg
Artwork for continental European and Australian releases
Single by 2 Unlimited
from the album Real Things
Released10 June 1995
Recorded1994
Genre Pop
Length
  • 4:39
  • 3:59 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Phil Wilde
  • Peter Bauwens
  • Michael Leahy
Producer(s)
  • Phil Wilde
  • Jean-Paul De Coster
  • Peter Bauwens
2 Unlimited singles chronology
"Here I Go"
(1995)
"Nothing Like the Rain"
(1995)
"Do What's Good for Me"
(1995)
Music video
"Nothing Like the Rain" on YouTube

"Nothing Like the Rain" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited. It was released on 10 June 1995 by Byte, Zyx and Radikal Records as the fourth and final single from their third album, Real Things (1994). [1] The song was written by co-producers Phil Wilde and Peter Bauwens with Michael Leahy. In the US, it was released as a double A-side with the European hit single "Here I Go". It peaked within the top 20 in at least four countries, and was also the first single by 2 Unlimited that was a pop-ballad. The single was not released in the UK. Its music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss, who had previously directed several videos for the group.

Contents

Chart performance

"Nothing Like the Rain" was a moderate success on the charts in Europe, entering the top 10 in the band's native Netherlands, peaking at number six. Additionally, it entered the top 20 in Finland (18), Norway (17) and Spain (14), while it reached the top 30 in Belgium (23). On the Eurochart Hot 100, the single peaked at number 68. It was the first 2 Unlimited single to not receive a UK release, and did not chart on the UK Singles Chart. Outside Europe, "Nothing Like the Rain" peaked at number 134 in Australia.

Critical reception

Simon Price from Melody Maker viewed the song as "one uncharacteristic tear-soaked slowie". [2] In a retrospective review, Pop Rescue complimented it as "brilliant", describing it as "a slow, gentle, beautiful ballad, and it really gives Anita the room to show off her vocals." [3] Mark Sutherland from Smash Hits wrote that "the slow smoochy ballad (yes ballad!)" is "a potential top ten record". [4]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Nothing Like the Rain" was directed by Nigel Simpkiss and was released in the UK in June 1995. It features Anita and Ray performing in front of or behind raining water. Other shots are made in a swimming pool. Simpkiss also directed the music videos for "Let the Beat Control Your Body", "The Real Thing" and "Here I Go". "Nothing Like the Rain" was later made available on 2 Unlimited's official YouTube channel in 2014.

Ballads

2 Unlimited included ballads at the end of their three first studio albums:

Track listings

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 Unlimited</span> Belgian/Dutch Eurodance group

2 Unlimited are a Belgian-Dutch dance music act, founded by Belgian producers/songwriters Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde in 1991 in Antwerp, Belgium. From 1991 to 1996, Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and Dutch vocalist Anita Doth fronted the act. During these five years, 2 Unlimited enjoyed worldwide mainstream success. They scored a total of sixteen international chart hits, including "Get Ready for This", "Twilight Zone", "No Limit", and "Tribal Dance". The act has sold eighteen million records worldwide. Although they enjoyed less mainstream recognition in the United States than in Europe, several of their tracks became popular themes in American sporting series, mainly in the NBA and NHL.

<i>One Love</i> (Blue album) 2002 studio album by Blue

One Love is the second studio album by English boy band Blue, released on 4 November 2002 in the United Kingdom and on 21 October 2003 in the United States. The album peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart, where it stayed for one week. On 20 December 2003, it was certified 4× Platinum in the UK.

<i>Real Things</i> (2 Unlimited album) 1994 studio album by 2 Unlimited

Real Things is the third album by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance act 2 Unlimited, released in 1994. It was the band's second number one album in the UK and despite spending just nine weeks in the UK Albums Chart Top 75, it was certified gold there and platinum in The Netherlands. "The Real Thing", "Here I Go", "No One" and "Nothing Like the Rain" were released as singles. Unlike their previous album, Ray Slijngaard's raps on the verses were not cut for the UK release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here I Go (2 Unlimited song)</span> 1995 single by 2 Unlimited

"Here I Go" is a song by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance group 2 Unlimited. It was co-written by band members Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels and was released in March 1995 as the third single from their third album, Real Things (1994). In the United States, the song was released as a double A-side single with 2 Unlimited's next European single, "Nothing Like the Rain". "Here I Go" became a top-10 hit in at least five countries: Belgium, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Spain. Its music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do What's Good for Me</span> 1995 single by 2 Unlimited

"Do What's Good for Me" is a song Belgian-Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in October 1995 via Byte and ZYX Records as the first single from the band's first greatest hits compilation album, Hits Unlimited (1995). Co-written by bandmembers Anita Dels and Ray Slijngaard, the song was a hit in Europe, reaching the top 10 in Finland and Spain. Its music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss.

<i>Hits Unlimited</i> 1995 greatest hits album by 2 Unlimited

Hits Unlimited is the fourth album from Dutch/Belgian band 2 Unlimited and the last to feature Ray Slijngaard and Anita Doth. It was a greatest hits package featuring 16 songs: 13 previous singles and 3 new ones. The album, released by PWL, was certified gold in the Netherlands. Ray Slijngaard's raps on the verses were not cut on any of the songs on the UK release of this album.

<i>Second First Impression</i> 2004 studio album by Daniel Bedingfield

Second First Impression is the second studio album released by British singer-songwriter Daniel Bedingfield. Released in 8 November 2004, it peaked at number eight on the UK Albums Chart. The album title comes from the chorus of track 7 on the album, "Show Me the Real You", and also serves as a reference to this being Bedingfield's second album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krezip</span> Dutch pop rock/alternative rock band

Krezip is a Dutch pop, rock, and alternative music band from Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands, formed in 1997. Krezip's members formed a cover band while in high school, and were still remarkably young when they broke through, playing all original songs, at the nationally televised Pinkpop festival in 2000.

<i>Its Real</i> (K-Ci & JoJo album) 1999 studio album by K-Ci & JoJo

It's Real is the second studio album by American R&B duo and brothers K-Ci & JoJo, released on June 22, 1999, on MCA Records. Recording sessions took place from 1998 to 1999. The album peaked within the top 10 on the US Billboard 200 as well as Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. On July 26, 1999, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 1,000,000 copies in the United States. It also appeared on international charts, and was certified gold by Music Canada. Upon release, It's Real received average reviews. The album would spawn four singles including the number-two hit single "Tell Me It's Real".

<i>Real Love</i> (Lisa Stansfield album) 1991 studio album by Lisa Stansfield

Real Love is the second solo studio album by English singer-songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield, released on 11 November 1991, by Arista Records. Stansfield co-wrote all songs with Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, who also produced the album.

The discography of Eternal, a British female R&B and pop group, consists of four studio albums, five compilation albums, one remix album, two video albums and twenty-two singles on EMI Records. Eternal has sold over 10 million albums, with Always & Forever (15), Power of a Woman (25) and Before the Rain (35) ranked in the UK Official Charts Company's Top 40 biggest girl band studio albums of the last 25 years.

<i>The Ballads</i> (Mariah Carey album) 2008 compilation album by Mariah Carey

The Ballads is the third compilation album by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. The album features some of Carey's top selling ballads over the course of her career. It was released internationally in late 2008, and in North America in January 2010. It was also re-released in the UK as LoveSongs, in February 2010.

<i>Science & Faith</i> Second studio album by The Script

Science & Faith is the second studio album by Irish rock band The Script. It was first released in Ireland on 10 September 2010 and on January 18, 2011 in the United States, via RCA Records. It was preceded by the lead single, "For the First Time", on 3 September 2010. It debuted at number one in Ireland and United Kingdom, selling 70,816 copies in its first week in the United Kingdom. In the United States, Science & Faith debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, their highest peak on the US chart, with first-week sales of 49,000 copies. The album has sold 314,000 copies in the US, and over 1.5 million worldwide. The album was met with mixed to positive reviews.

<i>Telephantasm</i> 2010 greatest hits album by Soundgarden

Telephantasm is a compilation album by the American rock band Soundgarden. Featuring songs that span 23 years of the band's career, it was released on September 28, 2010, through A&M Records. The album was certified platinum by RIAA after its first day of retail availability based on the one million discs that were included in packages for the video game Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milli Vanilli discography</span>

This is a discography of Milli Vanilli, a pop/dance music project formed by Frank Farian in Germany in 1988, fronted by Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus.

<i>Nothing but the Beat</i> 2011 album by David Guetta

Nothing but the Beat is the fifth studio album by French DJ and record producer David Guetta. It was released on 26 August 2011 as a double album. The first disc features collaborations with artists from the R&B, hip hop and pop worlds such as Lil Wayne, Taio Cruz, Nicki Minaj, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Afrojack, Chris Brown, Flo Rida, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Dev, Timbaland, Jessie J and Sia. Also making guest appearances are will.i.am and Akon whom both previously collaborated with Guetta on his fourth studio album, One Love. In comparison, the second disc features purely instrumental tracks. The album is also Guetta's first album not to feature long-time collaborator Chris Willis on vocals. Critical reviews of the album were mixed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 Unlimited discography</span>

This is the discography of 2 Unlimited, a Eurodance project founded in 1991 by Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde and fronted by Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and Dutch vocalist Anita Doth. With global sales of over 18 million units, 2 Unlimited is one of the biggest selling groups from the Netherlands and Belgium.

<i>Listen</i> (David Guetta album) 2014 studio album by David Guetta

Listen is the sixth studio album by French DJ and record producer David Guetta. It was released on 21 November 2014. It features collaborations with artists from the R&B, hip hop, alternative rock and pop worlds such as Sam Martin, Emeli Sandé, The Script, Nicki Minaj, John Legend, Nico & Vinz, Ryan Tedder, Sia, Magic!, Bebe Rexha, South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ms. Dynamite, Elliphant, Birdy, Jaymes Young, Sonny Wilson, Vassy, and Skylar Grey. It also features additional production from Guetta's frequent collaborator Giorgio Tuinfort, Avicii, Afrojack, Nicky Romero, Showtek, and Stadiumx among others, with additional writing credits from Austin Bisnow, Jason Evigan, Julie Frost, and The-Dream among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Måns Zelmerlöw discography</span>

The discography of Måns Zelmerlöw, a Swedish pop singer and television presenter. His debut studio album, Stand by For..., was released in March 2007. It peaked at number 1 on the Swedish Albums Chart. In November 2006, it was announced that Zelmerlöw would compete in Melodifestivalen 2007, Sweden's national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, to be held in Helsinki, Finland. He competed with the song "Cara Mia" in the 3rd semi-final on 17 February 2007 in Örnsköldsvik, and progressed to the final, which was held on 10 March at Globen in Stockholm. There his performance of "Cara Mia" finished in third place behind winners The Ark and runner-up Andreas Johnson. Four singles were released from the album; "Cara Mia", "Work of Art ", "Brother Oh Brother" and "Miss America", all of which reached the Top 50 in on the Swedish Singles Chart.

<i>Excuse Me</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Salvador Sobral

Excuse Me is the debut studio album by Portuguese singer Salvador Sobral. It was released in Portugal on 2 August 2016, peaking at number 1 on the Portuguese Albums Chart in May 2017, following Sobral's victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. The album includes the singles "Excuse Me" and "Nem Eu", the latter being a cover of a 1952 song of the same name by Brazilian samba singer-songwriter Dorival Caymmi.

References

  1. "AllMusic: 2 Unlimited (Biography)". AllMusic . Retrieved 2012-05-06.
  2. Price, Simon (1994-06-04). "Albums". Melody Maker . p. 36. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  3. "Review: "Real Things" by 2 Unlimited (CD, 1994)". Pop Rescue. 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  4. Sutherland, Mark (1994-06-08). "New Albums". Smash Hits . p. 56. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  5. "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 24 May 2016". Imgur.com. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  6. "Ultratop Vlaanderen > 2 Unlimited – Nothing Like the Rain" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  7. "Ultratop Belgique Francophone > 2 Unlimited – Nothing Like the Rain" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  8. "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 12, no. 30. 1995-07-29. p. 15. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  9. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  10. "Nederlandse Top 40 – 2 Unlimited" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  11. "dutchcharts.nl > 2 Unlimited – Nothing Like the Rain" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  12. "norwegiancharts.com > 2 Unlimited – Nothing Like the Rain (song)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  13. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  14. "Jaarlijsten 1995" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  15. "JAAROVERZICHTEN - Single 1995". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2019-12-04.