By 1983, Eurythmics had already captivated audiences with the synth-pop phenomenon “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” Rather than trying to duplicate that success, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart took a dramatically different approach for their next album. The result was “Here Comes the Rain Again,” a beautifully melancholic song that blended electronic music with sweeping orchestral arrangements to create one of the most unforgettable ballads of the 1980s.
Released in early 1984 as the lead single from Touch, the song showcased a new level of emotional depth for the duo. Its haunting melody, Lennox’s extraordinary vocal performance, and innovative production demonstrated that Eurythmics were far more than another synth-pop act. They were fearless musical innovators capable of creating songs that were both emotionally intimate and sonically ambitious.
More than forty years later, “Here Comes the Rain Again” remains one of the defining recordings of the decade and one of the finest songs Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart ever created.
A Song Born from a Rainstorm
The inspiration for “Here Comes the Rain Again” came during a difficult period for Annie Lennox.
While recovering from emotional exhaustion following an intensive tour, Lennox reportedly sat staring out at a rainy window when the phrase “Here comes the rain again” came to her.
Dave Stewart quickly built a melody around those words, and together they developed a song that used rain as a metaphor for recurring emotions, memories, and heartache.
The symbolism feels simple.
Yet it leaves room for countless personal interpretations.
That’s one reason listeners continue connecting with the song decades later.
Annie Lennox Delivers One of the Greatest Vocals of the Decade
Annie Lennox possesses one of the most distinctive voices in popular music.
On “Here Comes the Rain Again,” she demonstrates remarkable control and emotional range.
Her vocal begins with quiet restraint before gradually building into soaring passages filled with longing and vulnerability.
She never resorts to unnecessary vocal gymnastics.
Every note serves the emotion of the song.
Lennox had the rare ability to sound both powerful and fragile at the same time.
That balance gives the recording its extraordinary emotional impact.
Electronic Music Meets Classical Elegance
One of the song’s most innovative qualities is its arrangement.
Dave Stewart combined lush synthesizers, steady electronic rhythms, and atmospheric textures with a beautiful string arrangement performed by musicians from the British Philharmonic Orchestra.
At the time, blending orchestral instruments with modern synthesizers wasn’t entirely new, but Eurythmics achieved the combination with remarkable sophistication.
The strings don’t simply decorate the recording.
They become an essential emotional voice throughout the song.
The result feels cinematic without becoming excessive.
Lyrics Filled with Mystery
Unlike many love songs that tell straightforward stories, “Here Comes the Rain Again” leaves much unsaid.
The lyrics explore longing, uncertainty, and emotional vulnerability without spelling out every detail.
Listeners are invited to bring their own experiences to the song.
Has a relationship ended?
Is reconciliation possible?
Are these memories impossible to escape?
The song never answers those questions directly.
Its ambiguity is one of its greatest strengths.
Everyone hears something slightly different.
A Major International Success
Released in January 1984, “Here Comes the Rain Again” became another worldwide hit for Eurythmics.
The single reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and climbed into the Top 10 in the United Kingdom and numerous other countries.
Its success confirmed that “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” had been no fluke.
Eurythmics were quickly becoming one of the most important and innovative acts of the decade.
The Touch album would continue that momentum with additional successful singles including “Who’s That Girl?” and “Right by Your Side.”
A Beautifully Atmospheric Music Video
The accompanying music video perfectly matched the song’s mood.
Directed by Stewart Orme, it featured Annie Lennox wandering through dramatic landscapes, including scenes filmed in both London and the Scottish Highlands.
The video’s striking imagery emphasized solitude, reflection, and emotional distance rather than relying on flashy visual effects.
Lennox’s commanding screen presence once again proved why she was one of MTV’s most compelling performers.
The understated visuals have aged remarkably well.
Why the Song Still Feels Modern
Many synth-heavy recordings from the early 1980s sound tied to their era.
“Here Comes the Rain Again” somehow avoids that fate.
Part of the reason lies in its emotional honesty.
The production serves the song rather than dominating it.
The orchestral elements provide timeless warmth.
Lennox’s vocal remains utterly captivating.
The emotions expressed are universal.
Heartbreak.
Longing.
Hope.
Those feelings never become outdated.
One of Eurythmics’ Greatest Achievements
Although Eurythmics produced an impressive catalog that includes “Would I Lie to You?,” “There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart),” and “Missionary Man,” many fans consider “Here Comes the Rain Again” their artistic peak.
It showcases everything that made the duo exceptional.
Dave Stewart’s adventurous production.
Annie Lennox’s unforgettable voice.
Thoughtful songwriting.
A willingness to blur the boundaries between pop, rock, electronic music, and classical arrangements.
Few songs combine those elements so seamlessly.
A Timeless Storm of Emotion
More than four decades after its release, “Here Comes the Rain Again” continues to stand as one of the most beautiful and emotionally resonant songs of the 1980s. Its haunting melody, lush orchestration, innovative production, and Annie Lennox’s extraordinary vocal performance create an experience that feels as powerful today as it did in 1984.
The song reminds us that memories and emotions often return like unexpected weather, impossible to predict and sometimes impossible to escape. Yet within that melancholy lies extraordinary beauty.
For Eurythmics, “Here Comes the Rain Again” became much more than another hit single. It proved that pop music could be sophisticated, emotionally complex, and deeply moving—all while remaining unforgettable from the very first note.