by When Lady Gaga announced her sixth studio album Chromatica in 2020, fans were excited to see what new sounds and collaborations the album would bring. One collaboration in particular stood out – a track featuring pop superstar Ariana Grande. While Gaga and Grande are both massively successful in their own right, the two had never worked together before. “Rain On Me” ended up being one of the standout tracks on Chromatica and a global hit. Though it was their first time collaborating, Gaga and Grande proved with “Rain On Me” that their talents and styles meshed together perfectly to create an anthemic dance track about persevering through difficult times.
The Story Behind “Rain On Me”
In interviews about Chromatica and “Rain On Me,” Lady Gaga opened up about how the album’s themes of finding strength and hope amid darkness related to her own mental health struggles. She had intended for Chromatica to be a kind of escapism through dance music. When developing the album, Gaga wanted powerful female voices to join her. She felt Ariana Grande would be the perfect fit based on her immense talent and the struggles Grande had also openly discussed, like the trauma of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.
Gaga reached out to Grande and sent her some of the tracks she was working on for Chromatica. Grande was immediately drawn to “Rain On Me” and felt it had an important message. In an interview with Zane Lowe, Grande said the song “felt like it could encourage people at a time where they felt very discouraged.” She was moved by Gaga’s vulnerability in the lyrics and wanted to help spread that message of resilience. The two met up in the studio and bonded over their shared experiences with mental health issues and personal hardships. Their chemistry in the studio translated beautifully to the finished track.
Lyrical and Musical Analysis of “Rain On Me”
The lyrics of “Rain On Me” find Gaga and Grande singing about using alcohol and dancing as means to wash away pain and find catharsis. The opening verse sets the tone:
“I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive
Rain on me, rain, rain
Rain on me, rain, rain”
Gaga acknowledges a preference for being sober but finds value in the release that letting loose can bring. The repetition of “rain on me” acts as a chant or plea, asking for whatever difficulties life throws to just come and be faced head on. This theme of facing hardships straight on through dance continues throughout the song.
Musically, “Rain On Me” is an electropop and dance-pop tour de force. A pulsing synth beat and driving bass line provide the perfect backdrop for Gaga and Grande’s powerhouse vocals. Their voices blend seamlessly yet each shines on their own verses. Gaga takes the first verse with her signature belting while Grande slips into the second with her impressive upper register. The pre-chorus builds anticipation until an explosive chorus drops with the singers’ harmonies.
The song was co-written and produced by Gaga, BloodPop, and Tchami. Their production captures the essence of a late-night dance party where worries are drowned out by music and movement. Gaga layers her own guiding vocals throughout the track to unite all the elements. Critics praised the song’s euphoric and cathartic qualities. It’s easy to see why the track became an instant fan favorite and commercial success upon Chromatica’s release.
Music Video and Visual Style
The music video for “Rain On Me” arrived in May 2020, further cementing the song as an anthem for that era. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, the video plunges viewers into a surreal neon world where Gaga and Grande dance through the rain. Opening with the singers trapped in a dark room together, they break free by facing the downpour outside. What follows is high-energy choreography amid colorful, otherworldly sets.
Rodriguez cited influences like The Matrix for the video’s dystopian yet visually striking atmosphere. Gaga and Grande are outfitted in avant-garde costumes and makeup designed by Haus of Gaga. Their looks reflect the video’s themes of transformation, with pieces like clear raincoats, platinum blonde wigs, and dramatic eye makeup. Interspersed scenes show the stars partying together in a lavish neon club.
The video was a spectacle that matched the song’s bombastic qualities perfectly. It highlighted Gaga and Grande’s charisma and chemistry as performers. Rodriguez shot elaborate long takes and dynamic choreography to keep viewers engaged. Within days, the “Rain On Me” video racked up massive views on YouTube and cemented its place as one of 2020’s biggest pop culture moments. It won several awards including MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration.
Commercial Success and Cultural Impact
Upon its release, “Rain On Me” was an immediate commercial smash. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Gaga’s seventh number one and Grande’s third. The song also topped charts globally including in the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and more. On streaming platforms, it broke the one-day global Spotify record with over 13 million streams in a single day.
Culturally, “Rain On Me” resonated widely as an anthem of perseverance during a difficult year. Its message of facing struggles head-on through joy, dance, and friendship struck a chord. The song soundtracked virtual dance parties online as the world began to shelter at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its popularity grew the profile of Chromatica as a whole.
For Gaga and Grande as artists, “Rain On Me” represented a major career highlight and creative peak. It showed off both stars’ talents and charisma while highlighting their undeniable chemistry. The collaboration was heralded as proof of pop music’s power to uplift during hard times. While it remains their only collaboration to date, fans hope Gaga and Grande will team up again in the future. “Rain On Me” cemented their place among pop royalty and as forces to be reckoned with in the industry.
In summary, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s “Rain On Me” was one of 2020’s biggest pop culture events and an undeniable hit. Through its anthemic message, visuals, and the superstar talents involved, the song resonated globally and proved the power of pop collaboration. It left fans wanting more from Gaga and Grande as a duo and demonstrated why individually they remain at the top of their game. Even with just one collaboration so far, Gaga and Grande established an iconic partnership with “Rain On Me” that will surely influence pop music for years to come.
