When the Rain Begins to Fall

"When the Rain Begins to Fall" is a 1984 song written and composed by Peggy March, Michael Bradley, and Steve Wittmack, recorded by singers Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora, and released as a US single at the beginning of 1985 (In Europe in October 1984). The song was performed in the movie Voyage of the Rock Aliens,^[2] in which Zadora played a lead role. The film's opening musical sequence features the official music video for the song. Filmed in Sperlonga, Italy,^[3] the music video portrays Jackson and Zadora as star-crossed lovers belonging to rival biker gangs. Before being released in the US, "When the Rain Begins to Fall" went to number one in several European countries. The song failed to capitalize on its European success in America, but did better on the US dance charts, reaching number 22. In 2022, a K-pop cover version of the song was recorded by PSY and Hwasa.^[4]

"When the Rain Begins to Fall"
Single by Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora
from the album Voyage of the Rock Aliens and Jermaine Jackson
B-side	"Follow My Heartbeat"
Released	October 1984 (Europe) January 1985 (US)
Recorded	1984
Genre	Synthpop, Eurodisco[1]
Length	4:06
Label	Arista
Songwriter(s)	Peggy March Michael Bradley Steve Wittmack
Producer(s)	Jack White
Jermaine Jackson singles chronology
"Do What You Do" (1984) "When the Rain Begins to Fall" (1984) "(Closest Thing To) Perfect" (1985)
Pia Zadora singles chronology
"The Clapping Song" (1983) "When the Rain Begins to Fall" (1985) "Let's Dance Tonight" (1985)
Music video
"When the Rain Begins to Fall" on YouTube

Track listing

• 12-inch single

1. "When the Rain Begins to Fall" (extended version) – 6:07
2. "Follow My Heartbeat" by Pia Zadora – 4:22
3. "Escape from the Planet of the Ant Men" (by Jermaine Jackson feat. T. Jackson and R. Jackson) – 5:04

• 7-inch single

1. "When the Rain Begins to Fall" – 4:06
2. "Follow My Heartbeat" (by Pia Zadora) – 4:22

Charts

Chart (1985)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5]	63
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6]	2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7]	1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8]	42
France (SNEP)[9]	1
Italy (FIMI)[10]	8
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11]	1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12]	15
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[13]	1
UK Singles (OCC)[14]	68
US Billboard Hot 100[15]	54
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16]	61
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[17]	22
West Germany (GfK)[18]	1

Chart (2025)	Peak position
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[19]	69

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[20]	Platinum	1,000,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[21]	Platinum	100,000^
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Pappa Bear feat. Van der Toorn version

"When the Rain Begins to Fall"
Single by Pappa Bear feat. Van der Toorn
from the album What's My Name?
Released	30 March 1998
Recorded	1998
Length	3:56
Label	Universal
Songwriter(s)	Peggy March Michael Bradley Steve Wittmack
Producer(s)	Bülent Aris, Toni Cottura
Pappa Bear singles chronology
"Cherish" (1997) "When the Rain Begins to Fall" (1998)

In 1998, the song was covered by Pappa Bear feat. Van der Toorn.

Track listing

CD maxi (30 March 1998)

1. "When The Rain Begins to Fall" (radio edit) – 3:56
2. "Brotherhood" – 4:21
3. "Like This" – 3:24

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1998)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[22]	50
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[23]	6
Canada Top 50 Singles (RPM)	42
Germany (GfK)[24]	9
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[25]	15
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[26]	21
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[27]	4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[28]	56
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29]	16

Year-end charts

Chart (1998)	Position
Germany (Official German Charts)[30]	65
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[31]	24

Desperado feat. Pál Tamás cover

"A csillagokban járunk"
Single by Desperado feat. Pál Tamás
from the album Táncolj!
Released	20 February 2007
Recorded	2006
Length	4:06
Label	Sony BMG Entertainment (Hungary)
Songwriter(s)	Peggy March Michael Bradley Steve Wittmack
Desperado singles chronology
"Táncolj!" (2006) "A csillagokban járunk" (2007) "Kerek az élet" (2007)

In 2007, the song was covered by Hungarian band Desperado featuring singer Tamás Pál.

Track listing

CD maxi (20 February 2007)

1. "A csillagokban járunk" (Radio Edit) – 3:56
2. "A csillagokban járunk" (Spy the Ghost Mix) – 6:24
3. "A csillagokban járunk" (Peat Jr. & Fernando Club Traxx) – 6:03
4. "A csillagokban járunk" (Dj Páz Italo Club Mix) – 5:41

Charts

Chart (2007)	Peak position
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[32]	7
Hungary (Single Top 40)[33]	8
Hungary (Dance Top 40)[34]	28

See also

• List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1984
• List of number-one hits of 1984 (Germany)
• List of number-one hits of 1984 (Switzerland)
• List of number-one hits of 1985 (France)