Can You Stand the Rain

Infobox Single
Name = Can You Stand the Rain


Artist = New Edition
from Album = Heart Break
Released = December 1988
Format = Cassette single, CD single, Vinyl single
Recorded = 1988
Genre = R&B/Pop/Ballad
Length = 4.57
Label = MCA
Writer = James Harris, Terry Lewis
Producer = Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Certification = —
Chart position =

#44 (US Pop)

#1 (US R&B)
Last single = "You're Not My Kind of Girl"
(1988)
This single = "Can You Stand the Rain"
(1989)
Next single = "Crucial"
(1989)

"Can You Stand the Rain" is a ballad by R&B/Pop group New Edition. Released in 1989, it is the third single from their fifth studio album, "Heart Break".

Overview

Written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, "Can You Stand the Rain" is about a relationship presently going well, but the man is asking the woman if he can count on her to remain by his side should things ever become stormy. This ballad has become one of a handful of signature songs by New Edition. With the soothing adult contemporary production stylings serviced by Jam/Lewis, the booming introduction of Johnny Gill and familiarity of Ralph Tresvant sharing lead vocals, the song became not only the defining moment for the "Heart Break" album—but effectively transformed New Edition’s image from that of a ‘teen pop’ act to a grown up vocal ensemble as the decade drew to a close.

Release and reception

Despite "Can You Stand The Rain" inexplicably failing to reach the Hot 100 top 40, instead peaking at #44, it became New Edition's fourth single on Billboard's R&B singles chart to reach the number one position.

Trivia

* "Can You Stand the Rain" is the first single by New Edition, which prominently featured Johnny Gill singing lead.
* "Can You Stand the Rain" fended off Bobby Brown's "Roni" on the R&B singles chart, which sat at #2 behind it in early 1989.
* "Can You Stand the Rain" was covered by Boyz II Men for their Evolution album.