UK indie-pop phenomenon Jack Garratt is the latest star to perform in the BBC Radio1 Live Lounge, taking on the incredibly popular ‘Rain On Me’, released by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande in May 2020. The cover was shared on YouTube on 30th June, and has now attracted over 20,000 views.

Taking a mainstream pop track by two chart-topping pop artists, Jack Garratt completely rearranged ‘Rain On Me’ to fit his unique style. Using layered vocals, a synth, and samples, this is a far more innovative electro-pop experience. Lasting a whole five minutes, the artist appears captivated by the sounds, dancing and shouting throughout.

When originally released by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, the song shot straight to number 1 on the UK Singles Charts, going on to feature on Gaga’s album ‘Chromatica’. With its belting vocals and ’80s inspiration, the song is a beacon of hope for many fans, with the message that even though times are tough, everything is temporary.

This resonates with Garratt, who has struggled with his mental health for years. He shared his feelings on social media, saying, “This was such a fun and difficult cover to do. I know I create way too much work for myself, but the Live Lounge means so much to me. I would never want to turn up with a guitar and just play somebody else’s song, as if that’s what makes a cover a cover. There’s always more story to tell.”

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This was such a fun and difficult cover to do. I know I create way too much work for myself, but the Live Lounge means so much to me. I would never want to turn up with a guitar and just play somebody else’s song, as if that’s what makes a cover a cover. There’s always more story to tell. ⠀ ⠀ To that extent, playing Better on just a piano is, to me, a fascinating way to continue telling the story of that song but with a little more self reflection and poignancy. A trick of that songs production is that its fabled message of escapism and distraction is hidden behind an arrangement of instruments designed to help you escape and distract you. The piano is a less forgiving and more vulnerable arena, and this song loves to be on that stage. ⠀ ⠀ Thank you @ladygaga & @arianagrande for creating such a truly wonderful, floor filling, roof raising and uplifting banger ⠀ ⠀ @bbcradio1 thank you for once again inviting me in to your home to tell more stories in new and challenging ways

A post shared by Jack Garratt (@jackgarratt) on Jul 1, 2020 at 12:43pm PDT

The discussion about mental health is so important in the music industry, so by talking about his own mental health, Garratt has made a closer connection to his fans and helped many.

Not only did the singer take on this song, but also a piano version of his original release, ‘Better’, gaining 9,000 views. This song is from his most recent album, ‘Love, Death & Dancing’, out earlier this month.

As a singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, and musician, Jack Garratt has always made music while exploring other avenues such as teaching, but he signed with indie label Nickel and Dime to write multiple EPs and singles, as well as the album ‘Phase’. Through this time, he performed at festivals all over the UK and parts of Europe, as well as touring with Mumford and Sons in 2015. He is now signed to Island Records.