The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
You know I never meant to see you again
But I only passed by as a friend, yeah
All this time I stayed out of sight
I started wondering why
Now I, ooh, now I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain on me
You said you didn't need me in your life
Oh, I guess you were right, yeah
Ooh, I never meant to cause you no pain
But it looks like I did it again, yeah
Now I, now I know I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, girl, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain on me
Though your hurt is gone
Mines hanging on inside
And I know, it's eating me through
It's eating me through every night and day
I'm just waiting on your sign
'Cause I know, I know I never meant to cause you no pain
And I realize I let you down, oh yeah
But I know in my heart of hearts
I know I'm never gonna hold you again, no, no
And now I, now I know I wish it would rain down, down on me
Oh, you know I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain down, rain down on me
Yes, you know I wish it would rain down, rain down over me
Just rain down over me
Just let it rain down, let it rain down
Let it rain down, oh yeah
Let it rain down, rain down over me
Just let it rain down, just let it rain down
Let it rain down
Just let it rain
But I only passed by as a friend, yeah
All this time I stayed out of sight
I started wondering why
Now I, ooh, now I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain on me
You said you didn't need me in your life
Oh, I guess you were right, yeah
Ooh, I never meant to cause you no pain
But it looks like I did it again, yeah
Now I, now I know I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, girl, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain on me
Though your hurt is gone
Mines hanging on inside
And I know, it's eating me through
It's eating me through every night and day
I'm just waiting on your sign
'Cause I know, I know I never meant to cause you no pain
And I realize I let you down, oh yeah
But I know in my heart of hearts
I know I'm never gonna hold you again, no, no
And now I, now I know I wish it would rain down, down on me
Oh, you know I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain down, rain down on me
Yes, you know I wish it would rain down, rain down over me
Just rain down over me
Just let it rain down, let it rain down
Let it rain down, oh yeah
Let it rain down, rain down over me
Just let it rain down, just let it rain down
Let it rain down
Just let it rain
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This song, is the best of the best! I have been listening to I Wish it Would Rain Down, since a young girl. My dad would have this song on replay throughout his divorce with my mom. If anything explains the meaning of this song, then that should right there. I am now 23 and must have listened to this song more times then i could remember. I just wanted to state out that there is no bigger legend in this world then Phil Collins himself. He is one of the greatest musicians, his music goes through your soul and brings out every emotion that you are feeling inside. This song is simply about heartache, true love that's been lost and the pain that goes on inside your self, when healing from the hurting of someone you love who is no longer apart of your life anymore. "Though your hurt is gone, mines hanging on, inside. And I know it's eating me through every night and day I'm just waiting on your sign." although he says he is waiting on her sign, hoping she would return again he knows very well that, that will never happen. "But I know in my heart of heart of hearts, I know I'm never gonna hold you again."