Song Meaning
Kimya Dawson's "It's Been Raining" isn't just a song; it's an emotional downpour, a raw and unfiltered expression of grief that resonates with anyone who's ever felt the persistent ache of loss. Dawson, known for her disarmingly honest and childlike delivery, uses the simple metaphor of rain to depict a prolonged period of mourning. The opening lines, attributing rain to "angels who are crying up in heaven," immediately establish a sense of innocent vulnerability, framing sadness as something almost otherworldly and beyond individual control. This isn't a clinical depiction of depression; it's a folk-art rendering of sorrow, accessible and deeply human.
The song meaning deepens with the image of building an "ark inside my body," a desperate attempt to find refuge from the overwhelming flood of emotions. This hints at a desire for self-preservation, a need to create a safe space within oneself when the external world offers no solace. The reference to "forty days" alludes to the biblical flood, emphasizing the epic, almost biblical proportions of the singer's grief. It's not just a passing sadness; it's a deluge that threatens to consume her entirely. The repetition of "my friends keep dying" underscores the cyclical nature of loss, suggesting that the rain, the sadness, might never truly cease.
Ultimately, "It's Been Raining" is a powerful testament to the enduring nature of grief and the struggle to cope with persistent loss. Dawson doesn't offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, she presents a portrait of someone navigating a world where sadness is a constant companion, a relentless rain that mirrors the internal storms of the heart. The beauty of the song lies in its stark honesty and its ability to connect with listeners on a profoundly human level, reminding us that we are not alone in our experiences of sorrow and that sometimes, all we can do is acknowledge the rain and keep building our arks.
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