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*Song Description By Noles*

"In The Rain" was written on July 19, 2006. From the lyrics that I wrote down, there was only a verse, bridge and chorus written on that day. I eventually finished the lyrics years later. The main chord progression was something I was working on in the prior months. It was influenced by the Smashing Pumpkins' "1979". Using the E and A chords as a I-IV chord progression. There are literally thousands of hit songs that have used the I-IV chord progression. It's the most fundamental chord progression in the history of popular music.

The lyrics for "In The Rain" were written about my high school sweetheart who had moved away. I'll admit, we were never actually together. Although we really liked each other, we were both introverts. And two negatives didn't make a positive in that circumstance. After she moved away, we kept in touch. But eventually she slipped through my fingers. I wrote other songs and poems about her in high school. She brought out the artist in me early on in my songwriting journey.

After college, I launched Plaid On Flannel on September 3, 2011 as I began producing the Fairbairn Meadows album. Following the production of 3 songs for the album, I started recording "In The Rain" on November 16, 2011. Around this time, I finally finished the lyrics for the tune 5 years after beginning the writing process for it. The updated lyrics show in the 2nd verse with the line "Keep my life on track while looking for a way to travel back". Talking about how I'm older and have more responsibilities. All the while wishing I could go back to that love craze I had when the song was born years earlier. And wishing I had handled the situation differently for love to conquer. The title "In The Rain" is intended to signify tears.

While "In The Rain" was initially written as an acoustic tune, I used a clean electric as the main guitar when I recorded the song. I had already used so much acoustic guitar on the album at that point, I wanted to switch it up. With the clean electric guitar driving "In The Rain", there are a number of synth pads used as a MIDI software instruments throughout the tune. What started off as a folk song, turned into indietronica. I was inspired by Owl City's "Fireflies", which was in heavy rotation at the grocery store I worked at. This influence brought electronica and synth-pop sounds to "In The Rain". But it was a style I didn't explore any further beyond this tune. The Fairbairn Meadows album was where I searched for what style would work best with Plaid On Flannel. So I experimented a lot to find a true identity in a particular sound. There are a lot of piano fills over the course of "In The Rain" that I recorded with a MIDI software instrument. Slowing down the tempo during the recording process to bring it to hyper speed in it's regular tempo.

I finished recording "In The Rain" on December 1, 2011, and the entire Fairbairn Meadows album was released on July 1, 2012. I've never played "In The Rain" with a band, but I have performed it as a solo acoustic act. Here's an acoustic version of me playing "In The Rain" shortly after the Fairbairn Meadows album was released... youtu.be/59YLOLxprPM I haven't performed "In The Rain" on acoustic in a number of years. I've pretty much retired the song. As it's one of my more sappy tunes. But "In The Rain" will always live on as track 9 from Plaid On Flannel's debut album Fairbairn Meadows.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

It appears as if we’ve had our fun
When all is said and done, said and done
If we count up all of what we’ve won
Then it would weigh a ton, weigh a ton

It’s just the memories lying there
Proof that we make a decent pair

Don’t know where I come from
But I sure do know where I belong
Don’t know if I’ll get some
Making sure I stay out of the wrong

It’s up to you now
It’s what we choose if we’re the same
You saw me dying
You saw me crying in the rain

Keep my life on track
While looking for a way to travel back, travel back
Got my bags all packed
Don’t care if we live in a shotgun shack
Shotgun shack

It’s just the future up the stairs
Let go of all your little cares

Don’t know where I come from
But I sure do know where I belong
Don’t know if I’ll get some
Making sure I stay out of the wrong

It’s up to you now
It’s what we choose if we’re the same
You saw me dying
You saw me crying in the rain

It’s up to you now
It’s what we choose if we’re the same
You saw me dying
You saw me crying in the rain

credits

from Vol. I: Fairbairn Meadows, released June 29, 2012

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Plaid On Flannel Toronto, Ontario

Plaid On Flannel is an alternative indie blues rock act from Toronto, Canada. With 80+ original songs recorded since 2011, singer-songwriter Nolan Randall has remained the sole constant member of the band. POF's music is known for guitar riffs/solos, memorable hooks, catchy melodies/harmonies, evocative lyrics, & superb musicianship. While keeping a focus on originality and songwriting quality. ... more

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