The Searchers were a great little band. They started out like all the others doing covers of R&B but they were the band that introduced the jangly guitar that the Byrds later built on. They also were the band who developed that more thoughtful interest in the Folky songs with some social impact. In fact they can make a good claim to have invented FolkRock.
This was an early song of their which was written by the great Malvina Reynolds. It is a gentle understated song yet it carries huge weight – and still does.
It asks that simple question – What have we done to the rain?
Well what have we done to the rain, the soil, the air, the seas, the rivers and all the creatures on the planet?
This is a poignant reminder of the damage and slaughter we are thoughtlessly carrying out.
WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO THE RAIN (written by Malvina Reynolds) Performed by the Searchers
Just a little rain falling all around
The grass lifts its head to the heavenly sound
Just a little rain, just a little rain
What have they done to the rain
Just a little boy standing in the rain
The gentle rain that falls for years
And the grass is gone, the boy disappears
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears
And what have they done to the rain
Just a little breeze out of the sky
The leaves nod their head as the breeze blows by
Just a little breeze with some smoke in its eye
What have they done to the rain
Just a little boy standing in the rain
The gentle rain that falls for years
And the grass is gone, the boy disappears
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears
And what have they done to the rain
What have they done to the rain