Raining on the Rock
| "Raining on the Rock" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by John Williamson | ||||
| from the album Mallee Boy | ||||
| A-side | "Raining on the Rock" | |||
| B-side | "Back at the Isa" | |||
| Released | January 1987 | |||
| Genre | Country music | |||
| Length | 4:27 | |||
| Label | Festival Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | John Williamson | |||
| Producer(s) | John Williamson | |||
| John Williamson singles chronology | ||||
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"Raining on the Rock" is a song written and performed by Australian singer-songwriter John Williamson. The title is in reference to Uluru with references in the song to Albert Namatjira and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). The song was released in January 1987 as the second single from Williamson's sixth studio album Mallee Boy.
In 2011, Williamson was asked which song is he most proud of and he said ""Raining on the Rock". I'm not necessarily the most proud of it but it's a song that probably means a lot to me because it's about the heart of the country and I think the rock represents that. The ancient nature of the country that was here before any of us is the one thing that can draw us all together, putting religion, politics and race aside."
In 2014, Chris Johnston from Sydney Morning Herald called "Raining on the Rock" one of the best songs on John Williamson's best albums. It has also been referenced as an unofficial Australian anthem.