It's Raining Today

Scott Walker's song "It's Raining Today" is a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the passage of time. The rain serves as a metaphor for the singer's melancholic state, as he reflects on a past relationship that once brought warmth and joy. The imagery of the "train window girl" and the "wonderful day we met" evokes a sense of nostalgia, contrasting sharply with the present dreariness of the rainy day. The smoke from his cigarette blurs the memory, symbolizing how time has clouded the clarity of those once-vivid moments.

The song delves deeper into the theme of lost love and the fleeting nature of happiness. The mention of "summer and you" and "dark little rooms" paints a picture of intimate, cherished moments that have now faded into the past. The singer's current state of inertia is highlighted by his interactions with the old landlady and the repetition of dreams with new lovers, suggesting a cycle of unfulfilled relationships and a search for meaning in the void left by the lost love.

The rain also symbolizes the singer's isolation and detachment from the world around him. The "cellophane streets" and the "street corner girl's a cold trembling leaf" emphasize the cold, impersonal nature of his surroundings. The line "No hang-ups for me, 'cause hang-ups need company" underscores his solitude, as he has no one to share his burdens with. The song captures the essence of longing and the bittersweet nature of memories, as the singer grapples with the passage of time and the enduring impact of a lost love.