Tag Archives: nature

The Message Behind the Music-April 8

Posted on April 8, 2026 by expressyourself4him

Rain

Inspiration Behind Rain:

Breaking Benjamin’s song rain references a 17th century song sung by childhood to make the rain go away. The first printed reference to “Rain, rain go away, come back another day” is a rhyme from the Collections of James Howell in 1659. However, when a Spanish fleet was bombarded by storms in 1588, a similar prayer was spoken to clear the skies from a never-ending storm. Breaking Benjamin provides a modern-day version of Rain.

Biblical Application:

Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this, Jeremiah 14:22.

Exegesis of Rain:

Take a photograph
It’ll be the last
Not a dollar or a crowd could ever keep me here
I don’t have a past
I just have a chance
Not a family or honest plea remains to say

Extended periods of bad weather filled with rain can take an emotional toll on human beings. This opening stanza paints a picture of someone struggling with addiction, depression or mental health concerns.

Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
All the world is waiting for the sun

The weather is having a negative impact on their behavior, turning to a childhood song to alter the weather.

Is it you I want
Or just the notion of a heart to wrap around
So I can find my way around
Safe to say from here
You’re getting closer now
We are never sad ’cause we are not allowed to be

Breaking Benjamin is referencing a relationship where an individual is expected to put on a happy face despite the pain deep inside their heart,

Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
All the world is waiting for the sun
Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
All the world is waiting for the sun

All the world is waiting for the sun points to sunlight, rays of hope and good news. This is what people are waiting for.

To lie here under you
Is all that I could ever do
To lie here under you is all
To lie here under you
Is all that I could ever do
To lie here under you is all

Breaking Benajmin is either referring to God who controls the weather or a significant other lying next to them.

Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
All the world is waiting for the sun
Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
All the world is waiting for the sun

Some people are looking for signs from God that everything will be okay. For some, a sunny day is good enough for now.

All the world is waiting for the sun
All the world is waiting for the sun

In the darkness of this world, physically and spiritually, the light of hope goes a long way.

Final Thoughts:

I spent 8 years working overnight. Subsequently, I went months without seeing the sun. After day light savings, falling back an hour, I drove to work in the dark, drove home in the dark and rarely got up when it the sun was out. On the flip side, I was much happier each summer. Being able to recreate in the sun made a world of difference to my mental health.

by Jay Mankus

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The Message Behind the Music-April 4

Posted on April 4, 2026 by expressyourself4him

Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart – Here Comes The Rain Again (Remastered)

Inspiration Behind Here Comes the Rain Again:

The Eurythmics use rain to explore the human emotions of sadness and love. The saying “when it rains it pours” dates back to the 18th century. This analogy applies to sadness and love as well. The lyrics to Here Comes the Rain Again explores a desire for being connected to someone, longing for intimacy. The act of “wanting to dive into your ocean” highlights a yearning for emotional depth despite the daily turbulence of life.

Biblical Application:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, Psalm 51:1-2.

Exegesis of Here Comes the Rain Again:

Here comes the rain again
Falling on my head like a memory
Falling on my head like a new emotion

This stanza begins like a Deja vu experience. The falling rain triggers a new emotion.

I want to walk in the open wind
I want to talk like lovers do
Want to dive into your ocean
Is it raining with you?

This new emotion is a desire for intimacy, walking hand in hand in the open wind. Sharing deep conversations, eager to know the other, asking do you have similar feelings.

So baby, talk to me
Like lovers do
Walk with me
Like lovers do
Talk to me
Like lovers do

Open up to me. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.

Here comes the rain again
Raining in my hand like a tragedy
Tearing me apart like a new emotion

This next shower is a rainstorm that points to a trial, cutting like a knife

I want to breathe in the open wind
I want to kiss like lovers do
Want to dive into your ocean
Is it raining with you?

She wants to take this relationship to the next level, asking, “do you feel like I do?”

So baby, talk to me
Like lovers do
Walk with me
Like lovers do
Talk to me
Like lovers do

She is looking for a deeper commitment.

So baby, talk to me
Like lovers do

Tell me how you feel. Open up.

Ooh, yeah
Here it comes again
Ooh-ooh
Rain, rain, rain, rain, rain

This short stanza has a sexual tone. Not sure if this rain draws them together.

Here comes the rain again
Falling on my head like a memory
Falling on my head like a new emotion
Here it goes again, here it goes again

Like the opening of this song, this woman is smitten by love, wanting more.

I want to walk in the open wind
I want to talk like lovers do
Want to dive into your ocean
Is it raining with you? (Ooh, here it comes again)

She is honest about how she feels, waiting for a response.

Here comes the rain again (I said)
Falling on my head like a memory
Falling on my head like e new emotion (ooh, ooh yeah)

The more it rains, the greater her desire for intimacy.

I want to walk in the open wind
I want to talk like lovers do
Want to dive into your ocean
Is it raining with you?

Do you feel what I feel?

Here comes the rain again
Falling on my hand like a memory
Falling on my hand like a new emotion (hey)

If the timing is off in a relationship, she may move on before he realizes what he had.

Final Thoughts:

From my life experiences, the best relationships happen naturally. Whether it’s friendships that immediately emerge or people you click with, forcing the issue has never worked out for me. While people do change over time, leaning back on common interests can help maintain a relationship. Yet, when you do take a risk by becoming vulnerable as this song suggests, the end result may conceive a bond that lasts a lifetime.

by Jay Mankus

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The Message Behind the Music-April 1 – Monthly Theme: A Season of Rain, Storms and Trials

Posted on April 1, 2026 by expressyourself4him

Prince – Purple Rain (Official Video)

April’s Theme:

The old saying April showers bring May flowers resonates with me. As the temperature slowly transitions from winter to spring, rain and warm weather are necessary to bring dormant grass, plants and trees back to life. However, with dramatic rises in temperature come hail, heavy rain and severe storms. Whether in the form of flash floods or tornados, these sudden events bring communities together as they cope with trials and tribulations. As families face adversity together, opportunities to grow and mature are provided like the words of James 1:2-4.

Inspiration Behind Purple Rain:

Prince was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, home of the National Football League’s Vikings. Whether Prince’s fascination with purple began by watching his hometown team’s purple uniforms or some other significant event, Purple Rain was dedicated to his father. Written by Prince and the Revolution, the lyrics of Purple Rain references the end of this world. This sudden climax provides a brief moment in time to reconcile with loved ones. This purple rain is symbolic of hope and tears that reconciliation will occur before your li is over,

Biblical Application:

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation, 2 Corinthians 5:16-19.

Exegesis of Purple Rain:

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted one time to see you laughing
I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain

Based upon the opening dedication in the attached video, Prince is apologizing to his father.

Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
I only wanted to see you bathing in the purple rain

The purple rain appears to reference the end of this world, possibly after a nuclear war.

I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I only wanted to be some kind of friend, hey
Baby, I could never steal you from another
It’s such a shame our friendship had to end

Prince turns his attention to other people that he has hurt in life. Either this is an old girlfriend or someone he grew up with. She has moved on and doesn’t want to ruin her current relationship.

Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
I only wanted to see you underneath the purple rain

Prince is seeking reconciliation with this woman.

Honey, I know, I know, I know times are changin’
It’s time we all reach out for something new, that means you too
You say you want a leader, but you can’t seem to make up your mind
And I think you better close it and let me guide you to the purple rain

Prince experiences a call to action, to lead people during this hypothetical end of the world situation. He urges this individual to follow his lead, guiding her toward the purple rain.

Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain (ooh!)
If you know what I’m singin’ about up here, come on, raise your hand
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you, only want to see you in the purple rain

This final stanza speaks to need to bring others toward reconciliation. Prince wants to lead others, to put aside their differences by apologizing and reuniting.

Final Thoughts:

At the end of Purple Rain, Prince seeks to be a peace maker. In this age of political division and hatred, America needs more leaders to focus on what people have in common instead of what divides. Rather than participating in an endless cycle of trashing other people, it’s time to forgive and forget. May the closing words of Purple Rain inspire you to become a peace maker, mending broken relationships from your past.

by Jay Mankus

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