Don’t Rain on My Parade

A 1964 Anthem to Quell the Naysayers

Image by Czapp Arpad from Pexels

Bob Merrill, a prolific American script and song writer in the 1950’s and 60's, penned his iconic Don’t Rain On My Parade for the 1964 Winter Garden Theater debut of FUNNY GIRL starring Barbara Streisand.

What makes a song iconic?

An iconic song carries a timeless message that transcends genre, a message that enters public consciousness and culture. Don’t Rain on My Parade is an anthem for its time and all times. The message? Step aside and thanks but no thanks. Nothing and no one, including you, will stop me.

Don’t Rain on My Parade lyrics; Bob Merrill 1964:

Don't tell me not to live
Just sit and putter
Life's candy and the sun's
A ball of butter
Don't bring around a cloud
To rain on my parade

Don't tell me not to fly
I've simply got to
If someone takes a spill
It's me and not you
Who told you you're allowed
To rain on my parade?

I'll march my band out
I'll beat my drum
And if I'm fanned out
Your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn't fake it
Hat, sir, I guess I didn't make it

But whether I'm the rose
Of sheer perfection
Or freckle on the nose
Of life's complexion
The cinder or the shiny apple of its eye

I gotta fly once
I gotta try once
Only can die once, right, sir?
Ooh, life is juicy
Juicy and you see
I gotta have my bite, sir

Get ready for me, love
'Cause I'm a "comer"
I simply gotta march
My heart's a drummer
Don't bring around a cloud
To rain on my parade

Almost 58 years after its smash debut, the musical comedy classic Funny Girl starring Leah Michelle and Ramin Karimloo is back with rave reviews at Broadway’s August Wilson Theater. Hat’s off to Bob Merrill’s anthem for the ages Don’t Rain on My Parade, performed 1400 times by Barbara Streisand in the original run of Funny Girl almost sixty years ago, and revived today by Leah Michelle. Bravo and thanks Mr Merrill, Ms Streisand, and Ms Michelle.