About the song

“Rainy Days and Mondays” by The Carpenters is a melancholic song that explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the mundane struggles of everyday life.

Background:

  • Released in 1971 from their self-titled album.
  • Written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols.
  • Reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Themes:

  • Loneliness and Isolation: The song portrays a feeling of not belonging and being disconnected from others. The lyrics “Talking around, nothing to do but frown” and “Funny but it seems I always wind up here with you” highlight the sense of isolation.
  • The Mundanity of Life: The song emphasizes the repetitive nature of life and the feeling of being stuck in a rut. The lyrics “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down” and “Hangin’ around, nothin’ to do but frown” reflect the monotony of daily routines.
  • Yearning for Connection: Despite the feelings of loneliness, the song expresses a desire for love and connection. The lyrics “Funny but it seems that it’s the only thing to do, run and find the one who loves me” convey the longing for someone who understands and cares.
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): While not explicitly mentioned, the song’s focus on rainy days and the overall melancholy tone could be interpreted as alluding to SAD, a type of depression related to changes in seasons.

Overall, “Rainy Days and Mondays” is a relatable song that captures the universal feeling of being down and disconnected. Its themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for connection resonate with listeners who have experienced similar emotions.

Video

Lyrics

Talkin’ to myself and feelin’ oldSometimes I’d like to quitNothin’ ever seems to fitHangin’ aroundNothin’ to do but frownRainy days and Mondays always get me down
What I’ve got they used to call the bluesNothin’ is really wrongFeelin’ like I don’t belongWalkin’ aroundSome kind of lonely clownRainy days and Mondays always get me down
Funny, but it seems I always wind up here with youNice to know somebody loves meFunny, but it seems that it’s the only thing to doRun and find the one who loves me (the one who loves me)
What I feel has come and gone beforeNo need to talk it out (talk it out)We know what it’s all aboutHangin’ around (hangin’ around)Nothin’ to do but frownRainy days and Mondays always get me down
Funny, but it seems that it’s the only thing to do (only thing to do)Run and find the one who loves me (ooh)
What I feel has come and gone beforeNo need to talk it out (to talk it out)We know what it’s all aboutHangin’ around (hangin’ around)Nothin’ to do but frownRainy days and Mondays always get me downHangin’ around (hangin’ around)Nothin’ to do but frownRainy days and Mondays always getMe down