Song Clearance Sheet
4 sources citedI Wish It Would Rain
See all The Temptations in the catalogue →
Soul1960s89BPM
D♯ majKey
More around 90 BPM → · More in D♯ major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →, Deezer →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Whitfield, Strong & Rodger Penzabene), no dispute found — extends the Temptations / Whitfield-Strong thread in this catalogue. Lyricist Penzabene’s death by suicide is documented factually and respectfully in the Receipts.
Quick Facts
Released1967
AlbumThe Temptations Wish It Would Rain
GenreSoul, R&B
LabelGordy / Motown Records
ProducerNorman Whitfield
Recorded atHitsville U.S.A., Detroit
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong & Rodger Penzabene
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally Motown/Gordy; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
A much-covered soul standard (Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight & the Pips; Bruce Springsteen in 2022); part of this catalogue’s Temptations / Whitfield-Strong thread.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record and no dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Same group and Whitfield/Strong writers (already in this catalogue)
Same group and writers (already in this catalogue)
Same group and writers (already in this catalogue)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong & Rodger Penzabene
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
The lyricist’s story, presented factually and respectfully
Staff lyricist Rodger Penzabene wrote the words after discovering his wife was having an affair, channelling that heartbreak into this song and a companion piece. He died by suicide on December 31, 1967, at 22 — just over a week after the single’s release, reportedly unable to overcome the end of his marriage. Stated factually, without detail. No lyrics reproduced.
Wikipedia (Rodger Penzabene) · read it →
A rare Melvin Franklin showcase
The single’s B-side, “I Truly, Truly Believe,” was a rare solo lead-vocal showcase for the group’s bass singer, Melvin Franklin.
Wikipedia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A much-covered soul standard
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itMarvin Gaye · Aretha Franklin
Who to Contact
WR
Whitfield, Strong & Penzabene / Motown
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 16)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass