His Song “I Can’t Stand the Rain” Has Been Covered by Tina Turner and Seal and Sampled by Missy Elliott
Don Bryant, the Memphis soul singer-songwriter best known for co-writing the classic “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” has died at the age of 83. Bryant passed away on December 26, according to a statement shared by his family on his official Instagram page.
In their message, his family said Bryant “loved sharing his music and songs” and found deep joy in performing and recording, even later in life. They added that he was grateful to everyone who supported him throughout his musical journey.
Born in 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, Don Bryant was raised in the church, where gospel music shaped his earliest musical foundation. He later moved into secular music, performing with a quartet called The Four Kings before releasing his 1969 solo album Precious Soul. While his voice gained attention, Bryant’s songwriting quickly became his most enduring contribution to soul music.
Bryant went on to become a prolific writer at Hi Records, where he penned more than 150 songs over the course of his career. His work helped define the Memphis soul sound of the 1970s, contributing to recordings by artists such as Al Green and Otis Clay. Though often working behind the scenes, Bryant played a central role in shaping one of the most influential eras in Southern soul music.
His most famous song, “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” was co-written with his wife, Ann Peebles, and has become one of the most enduring songs to come out of Memphis. John Doyle, executive director of the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, has described it as the biggest hit to emerge from the city. According to Doyle, the song was born when Peebles made an offhand comment about the rain during a heavy downpour, prompting Bryant to immediately begin writing the lyrics.
The song’s influence stretched far beyond its original release. It was famously covered by Tina Turner on her album Private Dancer and later reinterpreted by Seal. Its cultural reach expanded even further when Missy Elliott sampled it for her hit “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” introducing Bryant’s work to a new generation of listeners.
After a songwriting career that spanned more than 50 years, Bryant returned to recording as a solo artist later in life. Following Peebles’ stroke in 2012, which led to her retirement from performing, she encouraged him to step back into the spotlight. Bryant released Don’t Give Up in 2017 and You Make Me Feel in 2020, the latter earning a Grammy nomination.
Don Bryant’s death marks the loss of a foundational figure in Memphis soul. Though his name was not always front and center, his songs continue to live on across generations and genres, a quiet but lasting testament to his influence on American music.
