When one approaches the subject of musical covers, there are a few things that must be considered. As an overarching theme, the classics must be handled with care, if at all, and not just anyone can touch them. After laying the groundwork and building a rock-solid repertoire of both solo and collaborative gems, singer-songwriter Devin Morrison is one such artist who can be trusted with R&B’s most treasured tunes. For his latest single, the Orlando-native has taken on the Tony! Toni! Toné! classic “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” giving it the romantic refresh we never knew it needed.
In Devin's version, entitled “It Never Rains (In SoCal),” he leaves the track largely untouched. Staying true to the source material, he does add his signature spin and somehow even more passion than the original sung by Raphael Saadiq. Though Morrison’s reboot sits nicely among the current musical climate, this right here is undoubtedly for grown folks, and we are here for it.
Like many listeners of a certain age, Devin recalls the magnetism of the original and how it became a staple on urban radio. Via Twitter, he shared, “I grew up hearing 'It Never Rains' on the radio (Star 94.5 to be exact) and always thought it was a good song, but my relationship with this song changed one night in Tokyo.” He recalled a time when Tokyo-based producer Fitz Ambrose slyly transitioned his hip-hop set to the track with ease.
“Hearing that on some huge speakers, at a nightclub in Tokyo with everyone dancing made this one of my favorite songs," he said about the very moment he fell truly, madly, deeply in love with the song. "Sometimes you just need a nice lil environment.”
Morrison accompanied the cover with a combination visualizer and lyric video. In the Jackie Radinsky-directed clip, we ride along with Devin and his curly cutie. They enjoy each other’s company as they cruise along the Southern California streets from night til day before ending up at the beach. They continue their date and watch the water, stroll on the sand, frolic, play fight and center themselves with some meditation. Their day out comes to an end when a raindrop falls into Devin's cup of coffee and clouds roll in.
Devin Morrison was already our favorite new school crooner who knows how to do '90s R&B-sounding current R&B right, and he delivers a masterful interpretation of Tony! Toni! Toné!'s “It Never Rains (In Southern California).” The original is timeless and universal, and Devin’s is sure to have the same lasting impact. Add "It Never Rains (In SoCal)" to your collection from your preferred digital music platform after you give the song and video a spin below.
