Buckets of Rain
(„Blood On The Tracks”, 1975 Columbia)
Buckets of rain
Buckets of tears
Got all them buckets comin' out of my ears.
Buckets of moonbeams in my hand,
I got all the love, honey baby,
You can stand.
I been meek
And hard like an oak
I seen pretty people disappear like smoke.
Friends will arrive, friends will disappear,
If you want me, honey baby,
I'll be here.
Like your smile
And your fingertips
Like the way that you move your lips.
I like the cool way you look at me,
Everything about you is bringing me
Misery.
Little red wagon
Little red bike
I ain't no monkey but I know what I like.
I like the way you love me strong and slow,
I'm takin' you with me, honey baby,
When I go.
Life is sad
Life is a bust
All ya can do is do what you must.
You do what you must do and ya do it well,
I'll do it for you, honey baby,
Can't you tell?
Buckets of tears
Got all them buckets comin' out of my ears.
Buckets of moonbeams in my hand,
I got all the love, honey baby,
You can stand.
I been meek
And hard like an oak
I seen pretty people disappear like smoke.
Friends will arrive, friends will disappear,
If you want me, honey baby,
I'll be here.
Like your smile
And your fingertips
Like the way that you move your lips.
I like the cool way you look at me,
Everything about you is bringing me
Misery.
Little red wagon
Little red bike
I ain't no monkey but I know what I like.
I like the way you love me strong and slow,
I'm takin' you with me, honey baby,
When I go.
Life is sad
Life is a bust
All ya can do is do what you must.
You do what you must do and ya do it well,
I'll do it for you, honey baby,
Can't you tell?
”Buckets of Rain” is a song written by Bob Dylan, released in 1975 on his critically acclaimed album Blood on the Tracks.
In the officially released studio recording, „Buckets of Rain” is played in the key of E major. Instrumentally there are only two: acoustic guitar and bass guitar. The guitar is not in standard tuning; rather, it is in „Open E” tuning.
Lyrically, „Buckets of Rain” is relatively simple, with five short verses addressing a lover. Oliver Trager describes the song thus:
Closing an otherwise desperate album with a light reappraisal of commitment, „Buckets of Rain” is a final, Sinatra-like tip of the hat sung with the playfulness of an old Piedmont songster. Though Dylan seems to liken the relationship he describes here with the ferocity of a deluge, he plaintively sings to his love, describing in light, sensual brushstrokes why he still finds her special.
Lyrics are bright yet heartbroken:
Like your smile and your fingertips
Like the way that you move your hips.
I like the cool way you look at me.
Everything about you is bringing me misery.
”Buckets of Rain” was included on the Wonder Boys Soundtrack, which was released in 2000. Dylan also sang this song in a recording with Bette Midler on her 1976 album Songs for the New Depression. Dylan has only performed this song one time live, as a surprise opener at a November 18, 1990 concert in Detroit.