Tanya Tucker – Lizzie and the Rainman, is a song written by Kenny O’Dell and Larry Henley. The song was first recorded in 1972 being that year a single release for its co-writer Kenny O’Dell and an album cut for respectively Bobby Goldsboro (California Wine) and the Hollies (“Romany”, under the slightly different title “Lizzy and the Rain Man”).
In 1975, the song was recorded by American country music artist Tanya Tucker. A narrative song as was typical for the first phase of Tucker’s career. She recorded her vocal for “Lizzie and the Rainman” in a 19 March 1975 session in Los Angeles produced by Snuff Garrett; Tucker would recall: “the recording was so impersonal. I was used to recording live with all the musicians in the studio, and I just sang to the tracks on this one.” Released as the lead single from the album Tanya Tucker – which marked Tucker’s MCA Records debut – “Lizzie and the Rainman” was Tucker’s fourth Hot Country Songs #1 and was also her first single to make the Pop Top 40, reaching #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1975. A #7 A/C hit, “Lizzie and the Rainman” would prove to be Tucker’s only Top 40 hit despite her later recording material more specifically aimed at the Pop market; her one subsequent Hot 100 item “Here’s Some Love” peaked at #82.
Tanya Tucker – Lizzie and the Rainman
From the album Tanya Tucker
B-side “Traveling Salesman”
Released April 14, 1975
Recorded March 19, 1975
Genre Pop, soft rock, country
Length 3:05
Label MCA
Songwriter(s) Larry Henley, Kenny O’Dell
Producer(s) Snuff Garrett
COUNTRYPEDIA
Tanya Tucker – Lizzie and the Rainman lyrics
[Verse 1:]
He came riding in on the sunrise
On a hot west Texas day
A fancy man in a painted wagon
With some fancy things to say
Looks like you folks need some water
Well, water is my game
And for the small price of $100
I betcha I can make it rain
[Chorus:]
Step back, non-believers
Or the rain will never come
Someone start that fire a-burning
Somebody beat the drum
He said some may think I’m crazy
For making all these claims
But I swear before this day is over
You folks are gonna see some rain
[Verse 2:]
They all just stood there a-staring
Trying to believe
But there was one named Lizzie Cooper
Who said he was a lying cheat
She said you call yourself a rainman
Well, you oughta be ashamed
Starting all these people dreaming
Thinking you can make it rain
[Chorus:]
Step back, non-believers
Or the rain will never come
Someone keep that fire a-burning
Somebody beat the drum
He said some may think I’m crazy
For making all these claims
But I swear before this day is over
You folks are gonna see some rain
[Verse 3:]
Hey Lizzie
Well, a man’s got to have a dream
And if you can’t walk on the inside with me
I’ll meet you in between
Oh, come with me, Lizzie
And the stars will write your name
And if you still think I’m lying to you
Look yonder
There comes the rain
[Chorus:]
Step back, non-believers
Or the rain will never come
Someone keep that fire a-burning
Somebody beat the drum
He said some may think I’m crazy
For making all these claims
But I swear before this day is over
You folks are gonna see some rain
Step back, non-believers
Or the rain will never come
Someone keep that fire a-burning
Somebody beat the drum
He said some may think I’m crazy
For making all these claims
But I swear before this day is over
You folks are gonna see some rain
GENIUS
