A Year Without Rain (song)

"A Year Without Rain"
Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene
from the album A Year Without Rain
Released September 7, 2010 (2010-09-07)
Format Digital download, CD single
Recorded April 2010
Genre Eurodance
Length 3:54
Label Hollywood
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Toby Gad
Selena Gomez & the Scene singles chronology
"Round & Round"
(2010)		 "A Year Without Rain"
(2010)		 "Who Says"
(2011)
Music video
"A Year Without Rain" on YouTube

"A Year Without Rain" is a song by American band Selena Gomez & the Scene. It was written by Lindy Robbins and Toby Gad, with the latter also producing the song. The song was released on September 7, 2010 as the second and final single from the band's second album of the same name. A Spanish-language version of the song was also recorded, entitled "Un Año Sin Lluvia" [un ˈaɲo siɲ ˈʎuβja]. Gomez titled the album for the song because she wanted to base all the other songs around it. Musically, the song is a Eurodance ballad with a techno beat. In its lyrics, the song's protagonist compares yearning for her love to a year without rain.

Music critics gave the song positive reviews, complimenting it as a dance ballad and noting Gomez's vocal maturity. "A Year Without Rain" became the band's third consecutive top forty single in the United States and Canada. It also charted in the lower regions of numerous European charts. The song's accompanying music video, directed by Chris Dooley and shot on-site in Lucerne Valley, California features Gomez frolicking in the desert surrounded by a swarm of photographs of her and her love interest, before they meet during a rainstorm. The band performed the song a number of times via live performances, including on televised programs such as Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and the 37th Annual People's Choice Awards.

Background and composition
"A Year Without Rain"
A sample of "A Year Without Rain", a Eurodance ballad which utilizes a techno backing.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

In August 2010, a demo of the song, sung by singer Selin Alexa leaked online.[1] Becky Bain of Idolator called the song a "mature dance track" and said that it "wouldn’t entirely be out of place on a Sophie Ellis-Bextor album."[1] It seems that it was first made for Leona Lewis. In an interview with MTV News, Gomez said that "A Year Without Rain" was the first song she recorded for the album.[2] She also explained why she named the album for the song, commenting, "I feel like that song has a lot of meaning, and it also kind of was the start of what I wanted to base all the other songs around."[2] A Spanish-language version of the song titled "Un Año Sin Ver Lluvia" was released through the iTunes Store on October 26, 2010.[3]

"A Year Without Rain" is a dance ballad,[4] written by Toby Gad and Lindy Robbins, with a length of three minutes and twenty-nine seconds. It was also produced by Gad.[5] Musically, the track uses a standard pop structure and derives from the genre of Eurodance, backed with a techno beat.[5][6] According to sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, "A Year Without Rain" is set in common time and has a tempo of 120 beats per minute.[7] It is written in the key of C major and follows the chord progression of C–Gm–Dm–F.[7] Gomez's vocals in the song span from F3 to E5.[7] Lyrically, the song sees Gomez longing for the object of her affection and compares it to a year without rain: "I need you by my side/ Don't know how I'll survive/A day without you is like a year without rain."[5] According to Megan Vick of Billboard, the sound of the song contrasts with its "tender" lyrics.[5]

Reception

Selena Gomez performing the song

Critical reception

Allmusic's Tim Sendra also named the song a standout on the album, calling it "catchy" and "well-sung".[8] Megan Vick of Billboard said that while Gomez did not have the vocal power of Demi Lovato, she "makes a strong effort to attack the high notes as she croons the chorus".[5] Vick stated that the song "is compelling enough to separate the singer from other Disney-groomed pop stars."[5] Wairarapa Times-Age writer Kim Gillespie named "A Year Without Rain" one of the album's highlights.[9] David Welsh of musicOMH noted Gomez' mature performance and wrote that the song "reaps rewards with an impressively heartbroken stab at euro-dance".[6] In contrast, The Washington Post critic Allison Stewart was unfavorable of the lyrical content of the song, commenting that it was "the sort of exercise in teenage co-dependence...that should be long extinct."[10]

Chart performance

Propelled by its debut at number fourteen on the Hot Digital Songs chart, "A Year Without Rain" debuted at number thirty-five on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the group's third consecutive top forty single.[11] It remained on the chart for four weeks.[11] On the week dated January 1, 2011, the song debuted at number thirty-six on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.[12] As of August 2014, the song has sold 1,002,000 downloads in the US.[13]

The song achieved greater success in Canada, peaking at thirty on the Canadian Hot 100.[14] The song also appeared on numerous European charts, peaking at seventy-eight in the United Kingdom,[15] fifty-six in Germany,[16] and forty-one in Slovakia.[17] It also reached number three on the Belgian Flanders Tip chart.[18]

Music video

The music video, directed by Chris Dooley, was shot on location in Lucerne Valley, California.[19] It premiered on September 3, 2010 on Disney Channel, following the premiere of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam and a sneak peek of Fish Hooks.[19][20] The video starts off with the band driving through the desert in a red convertible. Gomez removes a photograph from the sun visor, which is subsequently blown away by the wind. The chorus commences as the band disappears and Gomez steps out of the vehicle, wearing a dress and begins to sing. As the video progresses, a multitude of photographs of her relationship fall from the sky, as Gomez travels elegantly through the desert. During the bridge, it starts to rain as Gomez spots her love interest (Niko Pepaj) in the distance. The two begin to walk towards each other, and the video ends as they meet and hold hands.

Nadine Cheung of AOL JSYK said "She sings: 'I'm missing you so much / Can't help it, I'm in love / A day without you is like a year without rain' and that's really what's depicted in a simple and sweet way."[21]

Live performances

The band first performed the song on September 22, 2010 on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[22] The band performed the song on Good Morning America on September 23, 2010.[22] On November 16, 2010, the band performed the song on Lopez Tonight, and they performed it on Live with Regis and Kelly on December 1, 2010.[23] They performed the song at the 2011 People's Choice Awards on January 5, 2011, and afterwards were awarded the Choice award for Favorite Breakout Artist.[24] Gomez appeared on stage accompanied by low lights and fog.[24] Kara Warner of MTV News commented, "Although it wasn't a stadium-rocking performance à la Lady Gaga or Katy Perry, Gomez powered through her pop song with a sense of earnestness and commitment. She didn't even miss a beat when her earpiece appeared to fall out mid-song." The song was also performed during the We Own the Night Tour.[24]

Formats and track listings

  1. "A Year Without Rain" – 3:54
  2. "A Year Without Rain" (Starlab Radio Edit) – 3:41
  1. "A Year Without Rain" – 3:55
  1. "A Year Without Rain" – 3:54
  2. "A Year Without Rain" (Instrumental) – 3:54

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2012 MuchMusic Video Awards [27] "International Video of the Year" "A Year Without Rain" Nominated
"UR FAVE International Artist" Nominated
2011 Vevo Certified Awards 100.000.000 Views Won

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2010–11) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[28] 3
Bulgaria (BG Top 40)[29] 3
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 30
Germany (Official German Charts)[16] 56
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[30] 41
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[17] 41
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[15] 78
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 35
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[12] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)[31] 2× Platinumdagger 1,002,000[13]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

dagger Since May 9, 2013, RIAA certifications for digital singles include on-demand audio and/or video song streams in addition to downloads.[32]

Year-end charts

Chart (2011) Position
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[33] 35

Release history

Region Date Format
Canada[34] September 7, 2010 Digital download
United States[35]
Australia[36] September 17, 2010
Belgium[37]
Denmark[38]
Finland[39]
France[40]
New Zealand[26]
Portugal[41]
Spain[42]
Sweden[43]
Switzerland[44]
Germany[25] November 12, 2010 CD single
United Kingdom[45] November 22, 2010
Taiwan October 24, 2010 Digital download

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Bain, Becky. "Selena Gomez Goes "A Year Without Rain" On New Dance Track — Hear A Demo". Idolator. Buzzmedia Publishers. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  2. 1 2 Vena, Jocelyn (2010-09-21). "Selena Gomez Says Fans Inspired A Year Without Rain". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  3. ↑ "Un Año Sin Lluvia (Spanish Version) - Single by Selena Gomez & The Scene". iTunes Store Mexico. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  4. ↑ "Single Review: Selena Gomez & The Scene - 'A Year Without Rain'". Unreality Shout. November 22, 2010. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Vick, Megan (2010-10-01). "Selena Gomez & The Scene, "A Year Without Rain"". Billboard. New York City: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  6. 1 2 Welsh, David. "Selena Gomez & The Scene – A Year Without Rain". musicOMH. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  7. 1 2 3 "Selena Gomez - A Year Without Rain - Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  8. ↑ Sendra, Tim. "A Year Without Rain - Selena Gomez & the Scene". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  9. ↑ Gillespie, Kim (2010-11-19). "Album Review: A Year Without Rain – Selena Gomez & The Scene". Wairarapa Times-Age. APN News & Media. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  10. ↑ Stewart, Allison (2010-09-21). "Album review: Selena Gomez, "A Year Without Rain"". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  11. 1 2 3 "Selena Gomez – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Selena Gomez. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  12. 1 2 "Selena Gomez – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Selena Gomez. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  13. 1 2 Trust, Gary (August 19, 2014). "Ask Billboard: Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith & Charli XCX Are Seeing Double". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.
  14. 1 2 "Selena Gomez & The Scene – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Selena Gomez & The Scene.
  15. 1 2 "Selena Gomez & The Scene: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  16. 1 2 "Offiziellecharts.de – Gomez, Selena & The Scene – A Year Without Rain (2-track)". GfK Entertainment.
  17. 1 2 "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201045 into search.
  18. ↑ Hickey, Dara. "Single Review: Selena Gomez & The Scene - 'A Year Without Rain'". Unreality Shout. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  19. 1 2 "Disney Channel to Present Premiere of Selena Gomez & The Scene's Music Video "A Year Without Rain," Friday, September 3" (Press release). Disney Channel. 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  20. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn. "Selena Gomez's 'A Year Without Rain' Video Premieres September 3". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  21. ↑ Cheung, Nadine (2010-09-06). "Selena Gomez Gets Soaked In Her 'A Year Without Rain' Video". AOL JSYK. AOL. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  22. 1 2 Rosario, Mariela (2010-09-21). "Selena Gomez's New Album "A Year Without Rain" Drops Today!". Latina. Latina Media Ventures. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  23. ↑ "Selena Gomez Really Has Had a Year Without Rain". Lopeztonight.com. Turner Broadcasting System.
  24. 1 2 3 Warner, Kara (2011-01-05). "Selena Gomez Wows People's Choice Awards With 'A Year Without Rain'". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  25. 1 2 "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Germany)" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved 2010-10-24.
  26. 1 2 "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (New Zealand)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  27. ↑ Hickman, Angela (May 17, 2011). "MuchMusic Video Award nominations: The full list". National Post. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Selena Gomez & The Scene – A Year Without Rain" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  29. ↑ http://acharts.us/song/67571
  30. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201047 into search.
  31. ↑ "American single certifications – Selena Gomez & The Scene – A Year Without Rain". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  32. ↑ "RIAA Adds Digital Streams To Historic Gold & Platinum Awards". Recording Industry Association of America. May 9, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Best of 2011: Dance/Club Songs (31–40)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  34. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Canada)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  35. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  36. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Australia)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  37. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Belgium)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  38. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Denmark)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  39. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Finland)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  40. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (France)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-28.
  41. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Portugal)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  42. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Spain)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  43. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Sweden)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  44. ↑ "A Year Without Rain - Single by Selena Gomez & the Scene (Switzerland)". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  45. ↑ "A Year Without Rain: Selena Gomez". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-11-13.

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