Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell

The song "Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell" by Buddy Whittington is a soulful blues ballad from his 2007 self-titled album, showcasing his emotive guitar work and heartfelt vocals. According to Genius, the song’s lyrics, published in 1972, capture the raw pain of heartbreak, with lines like “Rain fell this mornin’, make me feel so bad / On account of my baby walked off with another man.” Its vivid imagery, comparing loss to “takin’ eyesight from the blind man,” resonates deeply with blues fans. A 2010 performance at the Ripley Blues Club in Harrogate, available on YouTube, highlights Whittington’s ability to channel this emotional weight live, earning praise for his soulful delivery. The song’s chord progression, detailed on Chordify, has also made it a favorite for guitarists, with interactive diagrams for playing along on guitar, ukulele, or piano. Whittington’s cover of this ZZ Top classic, as noted in an Amazon review, stands out for its fiery lead breaks and clear picking, cementing its place as a fan favorite among Zoo Freaks tuning into THE ZOO.

Buddy Whittington, born on December 28, 1956, in Fort Worth, Texas, began his musical journey at age eight, inspired by his sister’s record collection, which included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton, as detailed in his Wikipedia bio. Growing up in a household filled with music, from Western Swing by Bob Wills to country on local TV shows like the Big D Jamboree, Whittington was drawn to the electric guitar’s magic, marveling at how plucking a string produced sound “over THERE.” By 14, he was gigging in Dallas/Fort Worth clubs along Jacksboro Highway, playing in a band called Short Change, which opened for Point Blank. In his teens, he briefly wrestled with an upright bass in a restaurant band but soon returned to guitar, admitting he was “the WORST bass player that had ever lived,” as shared in a Music Recall Magazine interview. His early versatility, honed in honky-tonks, laid the foundation for his blues-rock career.

Whittington’s big break came in 1991 when his band, The Sidemen, opened for John Mayall, leading to a 15-year stint with the Bluesbreakers from 1993 to 2008 after replacing Coco Montoya. During this time, he toured globally and contributed to Mayall’s recordings, as noted on AllMusic. His self-titled debut album in 2007 marked his solo emergence, blending blues, rock, and soulful ballads. Fans can connect with him through his official website, Facebook, and X accounts, though he does not maintain an active Instagram presence. For fan communities, the Buddy Whittington Fan Page on Facebook offers a space for Zoo Freaks and others to share their love for his music, discuss performances, and celebrate his Texas blues legacy.