The Persephone of contemporary music is back! Christina Perri may be known more now for her big hits like A Thousand Years and Jar of Hearts, but I think over time (and it could take decades) her most recent album A Lighter Shade of Blue will only grow in stature within the public music sphere. It’s such a quiet gem, full of tender, heartfelt ballads which I’ve found to be the most moving collections of love songs I’ve heard on one album. There isn’t even a close second. I just hope that amidst the demands of motherhood, Christina will return to songwriting again soon since her natural talent is still clearly bursting at the seams.
Perri’s journey – through addiction up until around 2012 and the tragic loss of her daughter Rosie in 2020 – reminds me of the Greek myth of Persephone, who moves between the underworld and the living world. As the myth goes, her return each year brings spring, growth, and renewal to the earth. That image of rebirth – emerging from a place of deep sorrow and carrying life and softness with you – feels especially present in today’s featured song, Roses in the Rain. I adore how Perri holds that quiet, feminine energy, and how she captures the beauty of nurturing something new after loss.
Roses in the Rain is one of the most gentle songs on the album. Despite what seems like just a simple song and melody – with lines such as ‘Maybe in a little while, I’ll put some coffee on‘ – Perri captures something deeply emotional and beautiful within the mundane. Her live performance below of the song on The Kelly Clarkson Show really brings that to the surface. There’s vulnerability in the way she sings it, but also calm and strength. Not many singer-songwriters can embody a song in a way that feels so honest and lived-in, like she does here.
[Verse 1]
Monday morning, see the children on their way to school
Clouds are hangin’ low around my heart, the air is cool
I’ve got the strangest feelin’, like I’m waiting for a train
Lookin’ out the window at the roses in the rain
[Verse 2]
I walked around the supermarket, talking to myself
The man behind the counter asked me if I need some help
I knew that he could see it, but he didn’t know what to say
So I asked him if he knew about the roses in the rain
[Verse 3]
Maybe in a little while, I’ll put some coffee on
Can’t stop wonderin’ where the spirits go when they are gone
Maybe it was tomorrow, but it felt like today
You and I were walkin’, you and I were walkin’
You and I were walkin’ through the roses in the rain
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
What a beautiful heartfelt ballad. I have to say that thanks to your relatively frequent posts of Christina Perri songs, I’ve gained more and more appreciation of her music. That lady is really very talented. I’m planning check out her “A Lighter Shade of Blue” album.
Other than her singing prowess and delivery and expression, what continually impresses me is her writing. I was leaning on the last three lines of the song:
Maybe it was tomorrow, but it felt like today
You and I were walkin’, you and I were walkin’
You and I were walkin’ through the roses in the rain
She was wondering where the spirits go (and essentially this album is in remembrance of her deceased daughter Rosie and her dealing with the trauma), but she repeats their walking together (x3) and if it wasn’t today then it’s maybe tomorrow. Whatever, it’s gonna happen.
just really good, she makes you feel the words. nice background info….
Thanks a lot Tom. Perri is one of a kind who embodies her art 110% and takes us with her.
I never would have known about her Matt. Thank you for bringing her to me…I believe she’s an Angel…
There’s enough love in her music to go ’round friend. Just glad to share it and I’m chuffed she connected with you too.
an Angel I’ll say again!
Easy big fella! Haha
😆