What Have They Done to the Rain
Encyclopedia
"What Have They Done to the Rain" is a song by Malvina Reynolds
.
Composed in 1962 and first entitled "Rain Song", it was written as part of a campaign to stop nuclear testing
in the atmosphere, which was producing fall-out
.
The song was recorded by The Searchers
, reaching number 29 on the U.S. charts in 1965, and number 13 in the UK in 1964. It has been recorded by many other artists including Marianne Faithfull
and Joan Baez
.
It was also covered by actress Lili Taylor
in Nancy Savoca
's film Dogfight
.
Malvina Reynolds
Malvina Reynolds was an American folk/blues singer-songwriter and political activist, best known for her song-writing, particularly the songs "Little Boxes" and "Morningtown Ride".-Early life:...
.
Composed in 1962 and first entitled "Rain Song", it was written as part of a campaign to stop nuclear testing
Nuclear testing
Nuclear weapons tests are experiments carried out to determine the effectiveness, yield and explosive capability of nuclear weapons. Throughout the twentieth century, most nations that have developed nuclear weapons have tested them...
in the atmosphere, which was producing fall-out
Nuclear fallout
Fallout is the residual radioactive material propelled into the upper atmosphere following a nuclear blast, so called because it "falls out" of the sky after the explosion and shock wave have passed. It commonly refers to the radioactive dust and ash created when a nuclear weapon explodes...
.
The song was recorded by The Searchers
The Searchers (band)
The Searchers are an English beat group, who emerged as part of the 1960s Merseybeat scene along with The Beatles, The Fourmost, The Merseybeats, The Swinging Blue Jeans, and Gerry & The Pacemakers....
, reaching number 29 on the U.S. charts in 1965, and number 13 in the UK in 1964. It has been recorded by many other artists including Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Evelyn Faithfull is an award-winning English singer, songwriter and actress whose career has spanned five decades....
and Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
.
It was also covered by actress Lili Taylor
Lili Taylor
Lili Anne Taylor is an American actress notable for her appearances in such award-winning indie films as Mystic Pizza, Say Anything..., Short Cuts and I Shot Andy Warhol, and the acclaimed TV show Six Feet Under....
in Nancy Savoca
Nancy Savoca
Nancy Savoca is an American film screenwriter, director, and producer. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, she is the daughter of Sicilian and Argentine immigrants Calogero Savoca and Maria Elvira Savoca...
's film Dogfight
Dogfight (film)
Dogfight is a 1991 film set in San Francisco, California, during the Vietnam War , stars River Phoenix and Lili Taylor and was directed by Nancy Savoca....
.