4 Songs From the 1970s That Feel Like Staying in on a Rainy Day

Rain often gets a bad rap for canceling plans, shutting down outdoor festivities, and just generally being a drag. But with the right music to accompany a rainy night in, plans go from all-out canceled to merely changed. Suddenly, we can nest at home, out of the elements but with a front-row view from our windows, and get cozy.

If you have a rainy day in your future (or maybe you’re just fantasizing about one mid-heatwave), these four songs from the 1970s deserve a spot on your staying-in playlist.

“The Rain Song” by Led Zeppelin

Maybe it’s a little cheesy to start a list of 1970s songs about the rain with one called “The Rain Song”. But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, you know? On-the-nose titles aside, this 1973 Led Zeppelin track from Houses Of The Holy is a beautiful accompaniment to a peaceful, quiet night in during a rainstorm. The music builds much like storm clouds forming in the sky, gaining size before they finally release the rain.

“These are the seasons of my emotion / and like the wind, they rise and fall / This is the wonder of devotion / I see the torch we all must hold.”

“The Cars Hiss By My Window” by The Doors

In between the constant pitter-patter of raindrops and distant rumblings of thunder, you might also hear the occasional sizzle of car tires cutting through the rain-logged streets while staying in on a wet, gloomy night. The Doors’ L.A. Woman track, “The Cars Hiss By My Window”, captures the distinctly lonely feelings that often arrive when listening to cars roll by. Where are they going? Who’s driving? How are they feeling compared to how I’m feeling right now?

“The cars hiss by my window like the waves down on the beach / I got this girl beside me, but she’s out of reach.”

“Time” by Pink Floyd

The mechanical whirring and whizzings of the clock introduction of Pink Floyd’s “Time” is reminiscent of a building thunderstorm. But that’s not the only reason why this iconic Dark Side Of The Moon cut is perfect for rainy days. This 1970s song is introspective, reflective, wistful, and more than a little nostalgic—all feelings made more tender when chewing them over while watching the rain come down outside. 

“Tired of lying in the sunshine, staying home to watch the rain / You are young, and life is long, and there is time to kill today / And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.”

“I Can’t Stand The Rain” by Ann Peebles

Rainy days have their merit. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not frustrating. If you’re staying in because of the rain begrudgingly, you’ll find it easy to relate to Ann Peebles’ 1973 track, “I Can’t Stand The Rain”. Peebles co-wrote the song in this very state of mind, dreading an impending storm canceling her plans. Ultimately, the raincheck seemed to work in her favor, as “I Can’t Stand The Rain” became a massive global hit. All’s well that ends wet, and all that.

“I can’t stand the rain against my window / bringing back sweet memories / Hey, windowpane, do you remember how sweet it used to be?”

Photo by Adam Ritchie/Redferns