Nothing Like the Rain

"Nothing Like the Rain" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited. It was released in June 1995, by Byte Records, as the fourth and final single from their third album, Real Things (1994).^[1] The song was written by co-producers Phil Wilde and Peter Bauwens with Michael Leahy. In the US, it was released as a double A-side with the European hit single "Here I Go". It peaked within the top 20 in at least four countries, and was also the first single by 2 Unlimited that was a pop ballad. The single was not released in the UK. Its accompanying music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss, who had previously directed several videos for the group.

Simon Price from Melody Maker viewed the song as "one uncharacteristic tear-soaked slowie".^[2] Mark Sutherland from Smash Hits wrote that "the slow smoochy ballad (yes ballad!)" is "a potential top ten record".^[3] In a retrospective review, Pop Rescue complimented it as "brilliant", describing it as "a slow, gentle, beautiful ballad, and it really gives Anita the room to show off her vocals."^[4]

"Nothing Like the Rain" was a moderate success on the charts in Europe, entering the top 10 in the band's native Netherlands, peaking at number six. Additionally, it entered the top 20 in Finland (18), Norway (17) and Spain (14), while it reached the top 30 in Belgium (23). On the Eurochart Hot 100, the single peaked at number 68. It was the first 2 Unlimited single to not receive a UK release, and did not chart on the UK Singles Chart. Outside Europe, "Nothing Like the Rain" peaked at number 134 in Australia.

El video musical de "Nothing Like the Rain" fue dirigido por Nigel Simpkiss y lanzado en el Reino Unido en junio de 1995. El video, con temática acuática, muestra a los miembros de la banda Anita Dels y Ray Slijngaard actuando frente a o detrás de la lluvia. Hay tomas filmadas en una piscina , con una pareja abrazándose en el agua. Otras tomas muestran flores, paraguas, peces y una rana apareciendo bajo la lluvia. Simpkiss también dirigió los videos musicales de " Let the Beat Control Your Body ", " The Real Thing " y " Here I Go ". "Nothing Like the Rain" fue incluido en la lista A del canal de televisión musical holandés TMF en julio de 1995. ^{[ 5 ]} MTV Europe puso el video en rotación estelar. ^{[ 6 ]} Posteriormente, se publicó en el canal oficial de YouTube de 2 Unlimited en 2014.

2 Unlimited incluyó baladas al final de sus tres primeros álbumes de estudio:

• "Deseo" y "Eternamente Tuya" en ¡Prepárate!
• "Where Are You Now" y "Shelter for a Rainy Day" en No Limits
• "Nothing Like the Rain" en Real Things (la única balada que la banda lanzó como sencillo)

• A-Lyric : una explicación de la letra de "Nothing Like the Rain" por el letrista.