About the song
There’s something uniquely evocative about rain in New York City—a blend of romance, melancholy, and reflection that has long inspired musicians and storytellers alike. In “Another Rainy Day in New York City”, the Bay City Rollers capture this mood with surprising depth, moving beyond their typical upbeat pop-rock style to deliver a song that feels wistful, sincere, and emotionally resonant.
Released in 1976 as part of their album Dedication, “Another Rainy Day in New York City” is a quieter moment in the Bay City Rollers’ discography. Known largely for their energetic teen-pop anthems and tartan-clad charisma, this track reveals a more introspective side of the band. The song’s lyrics center around themes of loneliness and longing, set against the damp, grey backdrop of a rainy Manhattan day. The city, often glamorized for its hustle and lights, here becomes a place of personal solitude—a canvas for lost love and distant memories.
Musically, the song is tender and restrained. A gentle melody weaves through soft acoustic guitars, subtle orchestration, and reflective vocals. There’s no rush in the rhythm—just the slow, steady pace of someone walking through wet city streets with thoughts weighed down by the past. The melancholy isn’t overwhelming, though; instead, it’s quiet and familiar, the kind that anyone who’s ever felt a bit lost in a big city can understand.
What makes “Another Rainy Day in New York City” especially notable is how it showcases the Bay City Rollers’ ability to step outside of their usual mold. It reminds listeners that even bands known for youthful exuberance are capable of creating music with emotional complexity and poetic sensibility. For fans both old and new, this track stands as a gentle, overlooked gem—one that invites a pause, a memory, and maybe even a soft sigh as the rain continues to fall.
Video
Lyrics
Listen to the radioA voice on the early show says I’m not aloneIt’s just another rainy day in New York CityAnd the rain comes pouring downLike early morning strangers we had nothing left to say but“See you round”.And I think of the night when it all felt so rightHow was I supposed to know?Now your feeling’s gone ’cause when I call on the phoneYou told the operator say “Sorry, no-one’s home”It’s another rainy day in New York CityAt night those city lights they sure look prettyI held my candle to the wind and watched my dreams just sailawayWith another rainy day in New York CityTo think that only yesterdayLife was such an easy game that I could playNow it’s another rainy day in New York CityAnd the rain comes pouring downSo I’m on my own and the radio saysThat the sun ain’t gonna shineWith the words you said spinnin’ round in my headYou know I can’t find a way to get you out of my mind.It’s another rainy day in New York CityAt night those city lights they sure look prettyI held my candle to the wind and watched my dreams just sailawayWith another rainy day in New York CityIt’s another rainy day in New York CityAt night those city lights they sure look pretty (to fade)