Abstract:
“RAIN” is a song released on Ben Platt’s 2019 album “Sing to Me Instead.” Platt is an American actor, singer, and songwriter, who has been featured in a few Broadway productions and major films, like “Pitch Perfect.” “Sing to Me Instead” is Platt’s first solo album; he has recently released a second, “Reverie.”

The song (“RAIN”) follows the story of navigating life and finding trust after a long-term relationship has ended. The song details the hesitations that come from taking a chance and starting something new, while focusing on the fact that it is okay to take this time. The story of “RAIN” begins by showing Platt’s new partner’s mixed emotions and hesitations about entering a new relationship and follows as Platt gives reassurance, hope, and support to this partner to become more confident.

To me, “RAIN” follows the story of overcoming general fear and learning to trust and feel stable again. Although a different scenario than laid out in the song, I relate to the story of “RAIN” in my time here in Barcelona. I was terrified to leave my family and leave my home to come here. After a few weeks, I began to adjust. I took my time and learned to adjust to my new home for the next few months. Now, I am confident and know that even on bad days, it will be okay.

Emotion/Tone:
There are a few feelings that this song invokes in me. I feel inspired and empowered. I listen to the song and I am wanting/am willing to grow as an individual. The upbeat tone does take sad lyrics and creates a positive narrative. It focuses on the confidence that can come from opening up and taking a chance. Overall, the tone of the song is hopeful. While the lyrics may allude to a dark tone, I want to focus on the beat’s overall feeling of light and support.

Lyrics:
You're saying
You've been through this before
You gave away all your secrets
To someone who up and left you in pieces

I know the feeling, believe me
I know the prices you've gotta pay
I'm sacrificing my freedom
And all just to get somebody to see me
Nobody said it was easy

My heart's been broken and broken and broken and broken
But I keep, keep on hoping and hoping and hoping and hoping
That if it keeps on breaking and breaking and breaking and breaking
That one day it'll open and open and open and open and open for you

Hey!
I know we've both been afraid
But we can't run from the wind and the thunder
When we're dancing under the rain, the rain, the rain
Hey!
I know we got what it takes
Ain't gonna run from the wind and the thunder
When we're dancing under the rain, the rain, the rain
We're dancing under the rain...

“RAIN” by Ben Platt

Photo Editing:
In creating this gallery, I plan to use a mix of black-and-white and color images. I want the gallery to begin black-and-white and I want to slowly bring the saturation back in until the last photo is entirely in color. I want to do this to emulate the fear of changing to hope and confidence.

Photos:
Concept: Going somewhere by myself and documenting the experience as this is something that would have previously caused me a lot of anxiety (e.g. going to the Sagrada Familia alone) - Museu Picasso de Barcelona

1 - Entrance to the museum (full black-and-white)
2 - Ticket booth or sign
3 - Stairs into the exhibitions
4 - First hallway of works
5 - Projected video
6 - Second hallway of works
7 - A wallpapered wall of images
8 - Third hallway of works (mid-point, half saturation)
9 - Open room
10 - Green room with works
11 - Ornate-style room with ceramics
12 - Archways between rooms, works seen through an opening