Step into the rain-soaked world of Nelson's quintessential power ballad, "After The Rain," a song that defined an era with its heartfelt lyrics and soaring harmonies.
The Song
"After The Rain" is the title track from Nelson's debut album, released in 1990. Penned by brothers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, along with Marc Tanner and Rick Wilson, the song is a classic power ballad comforting someone through a difficult time, assuring them that "only after the rain, can you live again." Gunnar Nelson revealed that the song holds autobiographical significance, drawing inspiration from the tumultuous period of their parents' divorce during their early teenage years. He shared that the lyric, "Don't be afraid to lose what was never meant to be," was a personal mantra that helped him through those dark times.
The track was produced by Marc Tanner and David Thoener, who helped shape Nelson's blend of hard rock, glam metal, and pop elements into a radio-friendly sound. The album itself, "After The Rain," was recorded between February and May 1990 at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles and Studio B in Hollywood. The song stands out for its strong hard rock vocals, brilliant guitar artistry, and popular songwriting expertise.
The Artist
Nelson is an American rock band founded by identical twin brothers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson. They are the sons of rock and roll pioneer Ricky Nelson, and their debut marked a significant moment as they became the third successive generation in their family to achieve a No. 1 hit. Prior to their breakthrough, the brothers honed their craft in the Los Angeles club scene from a young age, developing a distinctive sound centered around two acoustic guitars and melodic, pop-infused music with strong brotherly harmonies.
Their journey to a record deal was a long one, marked by numerous rejections from A&R executive John Kalodner at Geffen Records. The turning point came with their song "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection," which convinced Kalodner of their potential. Nelson's image, described as a polished, "boy-next-door" aesthetic, set them apart in the glam metal era.
Chart Performance
"After The Rain" was released as a single in November 1990, following the success of their chart-topping hit "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection." The song proved to be another commercial success for the band. It peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1991. It also reached number 6 on the Canada Top Singles (RPM) chart and number 75 in Australia.
The album "After The Rain" was released on June 26, 1990, by DGC Records and was a major commercial hit. It reached number 17 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the charts for an impressive 64 weeks. The album eventually achieved double platinum certification from the RIAA in 1998, signifying sales of over two million copies in the United States. It also earned Gold status in Canada, with global sales exceeding 3 million units.
Cultural Impact
"After The Rain", both the song and the album, captured the tail end of the hair metal era, blending hard rock with pop sensibilities and anthemic power ballads. While some critics noted the album's polished, corporate rock sound, they often acknowledged its catchy and likable tunes, along with the sincerity of the Nelson brothers. The album's prolonged presence on the charts and its multiple successful singles solidified Nelson's place in early 90s rock.
The music video for "After The Rain" was a grand production directed by Jim Yukich, who also directed their previous hit video. Despite its ambition, the video gained some notoriety, being included on Noiscreep's list of "10 Unintentionally Funny Heavy Metal Videos," and was even named "Worst Music Video of the Decade" by Spin magazine. This reception highlights the divisive nature of the video's elaborate, narrative-driven concept.
Fun Facts
- The music video for "After The Rain" features a narrative where the Nelson twins appear as apparitions to a troubled teenager and transport him to a concert.
- The concept for the video's fantasy elements, including the glowing feather and Native American shaman, originated from a dream Gunnar Nelson had.
- Gunnar Nelson successfully pushed for the conceptual footage to be included in the video, despite MTV initially wanting to remove it and reportedly laughing at the idea.
- The album "After The Rain" was remastered in 2017, allowing Matthew Nelson to go back and EQ the record with modern technology, aiming to bring it closer to their original vision.
- Despite the album's multi-platinum success, the band found themselves in significant debt after the extensive touring cycle for "After The Rain."
- Matthew Nelson played almost the entire "After The Rain" album on a rare white Steinberger XL2 TAW bass, an instrument he later regretted selling due to its sentimental and tonal value.