It's been raining all day here in Nashville, and this song has been running through my head since getting drenched on my early morning trail run. One would be hard pressed to find a vocal performance as emotive as David Ruffin's on the song I Wish It Would Rain, the title track on The Temptations' 1967 Motown album. Lyricist Roger Penzabene penned the words after finding out that his wife was cheating on him and he tragically committed suicide a week after the single was released. Backed by a subdued rhythm track (courtesy of The Funk Brothers), Ruffin sings as if Penzabene's heartbreak and loneliness are his own, ultimately delivering one of the most melancholic songs of the Temptations repertoire. Ruffin sings that a "man ain't supposed to cry". Listen and try not to.

PS Our sister site Newstalgia has for its Backstage Weekend offering - Jesus and Mary Chain Live at the Electric Ballroom in London, 1988

Hitsville USA The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971
	Artist: Various Artists

Motown bass player and original 'Funk Brother' Bob Babbitt died of brain cancer yesterday at the age of 74. As far as musicians go, he was as influential as it gets. Here's one of the many legendary tracks he played on. R.I.P.

Motown's first girl group, The Marvelettes, took this Smokey Robinson penned song all the way to number two on the Billboard R&B charts in 1967. James Jamerson lays down one of my all-time favorite bass lines while the rest of the Funk Brothers keep it smooth and mellow. These girls weren't messing around.