For the love of rock
Vol IX, Issue 4 – Hard rain fallin’ (01 Sep 2024)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song– Hard rain fallin’
Band- Sir Lord Baltimore
Writers– Mike Appel, Louis Dambra and Jim Cretecos
Album- Kingdome Come
Release year– 1970
Resources– Wikipedia.org
Hard rain fallin’
“Sir Lord Baltimore” may be not a common name in the field of seventies hard rock. Originating as a trio from Brooklyn, New York, USA in 1968, “Sir Lord Baltimore” consisted of John Garner (Drums/vocals), Louis Dambra (Guitars) and Gary Justin (Bass). They were undoubtedly America’s one of the first bona fide heavy metal band. Their music was first cited as “heavy metal” by Creem magazine in 1970 with the release of their debut album “Kingdome Come.” This was proclaimed as the first time the word “heavy metal” was used in the music. Although they were a short lived heavy metal band with only total two albums in their early career (Kingdome Come in 1970 and Sir Lord Baltimore in 1971) and one later album in 2006 as a reunion album, they never got the credit they deserved. However, their music was later rediscovered in the nineties as they became the source for most stoner rock bands of the time.
“Kingdome Come’” is their debut album released in 1970. The album consisted of true hard, heavy metal, raw power with the multi tracking and distorted guitar sound which was mixed by Eddie Kramer. Although largely ignored at its release time, the album is definitely a hard rock fan’s cult item. The album has been well acclaimed as a treasure by the later generations with critical acclaim and with a formidable influence on heavy metal music forever in the days ahead.
“Hard rain fallin’” is one of the most iconic songs of the album. Released as a single from the album, the song truly represents the heavy metal music for the first time in the rock history. The song begins with Garner’s thundering drum beat, soon to be followed by Gary’s bass and heavy distorted guitar by Louis. With the roaring pace, to increase the excitement, comes in garner’s raw vocals. The trio explodes the song into a killer missile with melodiously and ferociously paced guitar solos, thunderous bass, loudly distorted rhythm and powerful drums.
Undoubtedly, the song reminds what actually is a heavy metal song!It’s true that for even the most avid classic rock fans, “Sir Lord Baltimore” may not be a familiar name. However, for a true heavy metal fan, this cult band should be the forefathers of their Gods! Yes, when people talk about heavy metal, “hard rain fallin’” out of the “Kingdome Come” would always come out and hit hard just right on the spot!!!!Happy listening!!! Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com
Hard rain fallin’
Hard rain fallin’ on my head
Laying face down and stoned in bed
Ran like a tiger, think I’m out of breath
Wicked woman never left me for dead
For dead!
Hard rain fallin’ on my shoes
Ain’t got nothing, got nothing to lose
Had my share, paid my dues
I can’t shake these break-down blues
[Guitar Solo]
[Bridge]
Hard rain fallin’
Hard rain fallin’
Hard rain fallin’ on my face
Never ever gonna get out of this place
Ain’t no woman gonna give me no trace
It’s alright, she’s just taking up space
Oh, yeah!
Hard rain fallin’ on my brain
Ain’t no woman gonna drive me insane
And I know it’s a feeling of pain
Taking me down like a ball and chain
Hard rain
Lyrics link – https://genius.com/Sir-lord-baltimore-hard-rain-fallin-lyrics
Video link – https://youtu.be/o8yE-fe-4wU