I'm no stranger to the rain
I'm a friend of thunder
Friend, is it any wonder lightning strikes me
I've fought with the devil
Got down on his level
But I never gave in, so he gave up on me
I'm no stranger to the rain
I can spot bad weather
And I'm good at finding shelter in a downpour
I've been sacrificed by brothers
Crucified by lovers
But through it all I withstood the pain
I'm no stranger to the rain
But when I get that foggy feeling
When I'm a feeling down
If I don't keep my head up, I may drown
But it's hard to keep believing
I'll even come out even
While the rain beats your hope in the ground
And tonight it's really coming down
I'm no stranger to the rain
But there'll always be tomorrow
And I'll beg, steal or borrow a little sunshine
And I'll put this cloud behind me
That's how the Man designed me
To ride the wind and dance in a hurricane
I'm no stranger to the rain
Oh no, I'm no stranger to the rain
I'm no stranger to the rain
I'm a friend of thunder
Friend, is it any wonder lightning strikes me
But I'll put this cloud behind me
That's how the Man designed me
Ride the wind and dance in a hurricane
I'm no stranger to the rain
Oh no, I'm no stranger to the rain
I'm No Stranger To The Rain
I'm No Stranger To The Rain Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Josh Groban's rendition of "I'm No Stranger To The Rain" delivers a powerful message of enduring hardship and finding strength in the face of adversity. The song explores the human condition of encountering difficult times, using weather metaphors like rain, thunder, and lightning to represent trials, pain, and challenges. It is a declaration of resilience, a testament to surviving storms both external and internal, and emerging with an unbroken spirit.
The song's background is marked by its inclusion in Groban's album and its visual representation through a video released on September 11, 2018. This performance highlights Groban's vocal ability to convey deep emotion, fitting the song's themes of struggle and perseverance. The lyrics vividly portray a history of confronting immense difficulties, from spiritual battles implied by "fought with the devil" to betrayals by close relationships ("sacrificed by brothers, crucified by lovers"). Yet, despite these profound hurts, the narrator emphasizes survival and an inherent ability to withstand pain and find shelter.
While the song speaks of great resilience, it also acknowledges moments of vulnerability and doubt. The lines describing a "foggy feeling" and the struggle to "keep believing" that things will improve capture the realistic dip in spirits that accompanies prolonged difficulty. This part of the song resonates deeply by admitting the weight of despair when "the rain beats your hope in the ground." However, this moment of struggle serves to underscore the eventual triumph depicted in the latter parts of the song.
The true heart of the song lies in its unwavering commitment to facing tomorrow with renewed determination. The promise to "beg, steal or borrow a little sunshine" and "put this cloud behind me" signifies an active choice to move forward and seek light after darkness. The lyric "That's how the Man designed me" introduces a sense of innate purpose or divine design for resilience, suggesting an inherent capacity to overcome given to the individual. This perspective transforms the journey from a mere reaction to adversity into fulfilling a fundamental nature – one capable of riding the wind and dancing in a hurricane, embracing life's fiercest challenges. The song's exploration of battling internal or external darkness and asserting a design for resilience resonates with spiritual themes found in various traditions, including concepts of overcoming trials and fulfilling a higher purpose. Ultimately, "I'm No Stranger To The Rain" is an inspirational anthem for anyone who has faced life's storms, affirming the strength within to not only survive but to stand firm, ready for whatever comes, because enduring through the rain is part of the journey.
