Song Spotlight: John Vincent III's City Rain (a night at the Greek Theatre)

I don't get to shoot the Greek Theatre as often as I'd like. This particular night with headliner The Head And The Heart represented my second time (and final time) getting to shoot at the venue this 2025 season. You can read my US Rocker Music review here. I live in Glendale and so it is only a four mile drive. Since I hate paying for parking, I'll drive into Los Feliz and park in an area that I know generally has plenty of free parking and do the long walk up to the theatre. One of the best moments of any night at the Greek Theatre is when the last song has been performed and everyone is heading home. That's when I'm part of perhaps 200 people who are just as cheap as I am and are walking down the Hollywood Hills and into Los Feliz. Not only is the whole walk representative of my own cheapness, but it also gives me a cardio workout (the walk up, not so much the walk down).   

John Vincent III at the Greek Theatre

John Vincent III was one of the two opening performances. His Americana-folk music had a poignancy of emotional expression. His first song "City Rain" convinced me that this would be a set that I would enjoy. To me, it is a song about choosing between the artistic world versus the utilitarian world and the conflicts that come up with individuals who have the talent to pick one or the other. 

Is the song about a fellow musician lover or just someone that Vincent felt had amazing musical (assuming) talent?  

John Vincent III at the Greek Theatre

And I never doubted you for a minute . . . 
I just thought that you were meant for more

The individual who loved music eventually decided to shift paths and get a 40 hour a week job (or 50 or 60). Perhaps Vincent is questioning if the individual was just indulging a hobby (talented as they were) and was really interested in a corporate life (or as a doctor, lawyer, any high paying career) from the start.    

You were in love, and now you work away your days

But ain't that all you ever wanted

John Vincent III at the Greek Theatre

Vincent takes a peak into the future and provides a rather negative outcome once the individual hits the age of 60. 

But at least you made a few bones

And all your kids have left the nest and you're all alone

Life is about choices. It does seem a little bit of a harsh judgement, but Vincent is ready to admit that his assessment of this person's decision could be wrong.

Or will you remember all the things

That didn't mean a thing at all?

John Vincent III at the Greek Theatre

I am someone who does not come from the world of the creatives, but is instead someone who later in life fell in love with photography. So to be honest, I sympathize with the subject of the song. It is an interesting dilemma in life for those who have artistic talent: do you stick with it or move on? In the Los Angeles music scene, there are plenty of musicians that I've come across who shift their life's focus.

Setlist: City Rain. Lover of Mine. Bluebird Singing. Dandelion. Mountain Sounds. Walking Through the Water. Never, No Not Once. Next to You. That's Just The Way It Is, Babe.