Lyrics:

The Song:

"All The Rain" is a song Beck recorded with Charlotte Gainsbourg, for her album, Stage Whisper. The track was originally intended to be on IRM, but Beck and Charlotte were unable to finish it in time.

I like the simplicity of Beck's lyrics, which are not necessarily striking, but effective. They remind me of Sea Change in that way.

The verses all seem to point to a hopeless, pointless cycle of life. The first verse asks what's the point of God, if all these problems still exist. And once one weed is pulled, there are still more "growing up and over the city." It's neverending hopelessness.

The second verse refers to criticism, and how no matter what they do, it continues.

The third and fourth verses also refer to this cycle, where every time you gain, it's just taking the place for what you lose.

In general, rain can symbolize a few things, but a main one, as here, it indicates rebirth or cleansing. So this cycle expressed in the verses needs to start over at some point; weeds need regrowing, and rain allows it to happen. Even if it is totally pointless, that starting over is still a moment of hope.

Complicated ideas, simply expressed, is what I get out of this song.