[2026] A roundup of classic Western songs perfect for cloudy days

Another Rainy Day In New York CityBay City Rollers

Bay City Rollers – Another Rainy Day In New York City

“Another Rainy Day In New York City” was the opening track on the album “Stranger in the World.” As its Japanese title “Ame no New York” (Rain in New York) suggests, the melody vividly conveys an image of rain in the big city.

It evokes a place where it’s hard to live unless you value individuality and have a strong sense of self—a city of diverse races where people live independently.

In that setting, the narrator senses a change in their lover’s attitude and foresees an impending breakup.

Amid this sadness, the song tells of sorrowful rain falling on New York as well.

It conjured up a wintry, bleak, rainy day in New York and left me feeling a little lonely.

Summer RainBelinda Carlisle

Belinda Carlisle – Summer Rain (Official Music Video) (4K Remaster)

This is the second single from Belinda Carlisle, an American singer who gained popularity in Europe.

As the title suggests, the song evokes summer rain—not a purely sad track that only conjures up rain, but a sound that also feels fresh and breezy, like a passing summer shower.

It gives the impression of a girl honestly singing her feelings, doesn’t it? The highlight and defining feature is the string section.

The light, refreshing, and pleasantly rhythmic session is a must-listen.

It Will Rain LyrickBruno Mars

Bruno Mars – It Will Rain (Official Music Video)

Bruno Mars is often associated with funky party songs, but his ballads are great too.

It Will Rain is a sad breakup song in which the protagonist senses a looming separation and, while accepting it, suffers from the pain of heartbreak.

He uses the weather as a metaphor for the changes that will come from losing his lover, saying, “If you leave, no sunlight will ever reach me again.” If it happens to be raining on the day of your breakup, give this song a listen.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Raining In My HeartBuddy Holly

Raining In My Heart

Buddy Holly, known as a pioneer of rock ’n’ roll.

His black-rimmed glasses and suit look so stylish, don’t they? A lot of people have probably heard his name because it’s also the title of a song by Weezer.

This is a song called “Raining In My Heart.” Buddy Holly’s dapper vocals paired with the sound of strings make it feel so romantic.

Sad feelings have long been associated with rain, haven’t they? In this song, too, it’s expressed as, “The sun is out, the sky is blue, there’s not a cloud in sight, but it’s raining in my heart.” It was recorded in the ’50s, but isn’t it amazing how relatable it still is today?

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Have You Ever Seen The Rain?Creedence Clearwater Revival

Have You Ever Seen The Rain

This is “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”—a signature song by Creedence Clearwater Revival, commonly known as CCR.

According to an urban legend, the band’s name “Clearwater” pays homage to bluesman Muddy Waters—contrasting his “muddy” water with “clear” water.

The Japanese title is “Ame o Mitakai” (“Have You Seen the Rain?”).

In fact, some interpret “rain” as referring to napalm used in war, reading the song as anti-war.

It’s RainingDarts

It’s Raining – Darts

It’s a song with strikingly sentimental, self-deprecating lyrics.

Musically it’s in a major key, but what it sings about is things like “I’m drowning in misfortune,” “It’s raining, and I’m sinking, I’m dying, I’m crying.” It must be that sadness keeps raining down in the heart.

True to the title “It’s raining,” I feel the song depicts the very moment when one is in a painful, heartrending situation, with tears falling like rain.

Listening again while savoring the lyrics, I realized that although the tune is in a major key, it still carries a sense of emptiness.

One More Rainy DayDeep Purple

Deep Purple – One More Rainy Day

With its rare sound and vocals for Deep Purple, it gives the impression that fans who only know their peak era might be surprised, even taken aback.

What is this freshness? It’s a song that made me rediscover, in a sense, another appeal of Deep Purple—realizing they also sang such a refreshing tune.