Hold Back the Rain

"Hold Back the Rain" is a song by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 10 May 1982 as the fifth track on their second studio album, Rio. Written during the band's first American tour, its lyrics were penned by lead vocalist Simon Le Bon as a message to bassist John Taylor. Musically, the song is synth-pop and combines elements of post-punk, new wave, and disco. It features a driving bassline, fast-paced rhythms, and prominent gated snare drums.

Multiple versions of "Hold Back the Rain" exist due to various mixes and edits made during its production and subsequent releases. A remixed version was later included in U.S. pressings of Rio, leading to confusion over which mix was the original. The song also appeared as the B-side to the singles "Save a Prayer" and "Rio", contributing to its airplay and recognition. Retrospectively, "Hold Back the Rain" has been regarded as one of Duran Duran's standout tracks, with publications such as Classic Pop and The A.V. Club ranking it among the band's best songs.