Led Zeppelin’s legacy as a band is far from defined by singles; rather, they are hailed as a powerhouse of album-oriented rock. The release of “Fool in the Rain” in December 1979 was a notable event, following the fervent acclaim of their album In Through the Out Door, which had debuted just a month earlier. This was the tenth and final single the legendary rock group released from their eight studio albums before the untimely death of drummer John Bonham and the subsequent dissolution of the band in 1980.

In a 2005 interview, lead singer Robert Plant reflected on their approach to music, stating, “I always thought of the Stones as a pop group who made singles.” He emphasized that Led Zeppelin’s focus was on creating cohesive albums that encapsulated the essence of the band, rather than competing with mainstream pop artists like Bobby Goldsboro. Plant believed that the album format was a more significant statement of their artistic vision than any single release could convey.

The creative process for In Through the Out Door marked a shift, with both Plant and bassist John Paul Jones taking on a more substantial role in songwriting. Jones, in particular, was inspired by his exploration of a new musical instrument, which opened up fresh avenues for creativity and expression. This collaborative spirit led to a distinctive sound that set the album apart from their previous works.

As Jimmy Page, the band’s guitarist and producer, noted in the book Light and Shade: Conversations with Jimmy Page, the dynamic within the band evolved. He recalled how Jonesy had previously contributed less to the songwriting on their 1976 album Presence, leading to some tension. However, with the introduction of a new synthesizer—the Yamaha GX-1—Jones found inspiration, resulting in a wealth of ideas for In Through the Out Door. This collaboration with Robert Plant was a groundbreaking development in their songwriting partnership.

A significant cultural event also influenced the creation of one of the album’s standout tracks, the piano-driven ballad “Fool in the Rain.” This song is characterized by its unique samba-inspired middle break, complete with timpani and street whistles, showcasing how diverse influences can shape musical composition. Plant remarked in a 1979 interview that the vibrant South American rhythms heard during the 1978 World Cup in Argentina had a profound impact on the song’s direction.

“‘Fool in the Rain’ is most unusual for us,” Plant explained, acknowledging that the band’s experimentation with different styles was somewhat uncharacteristic. He clarified that while the band did not aim to emulate South American artists like Carlos Santana, they embraced a blend of influences to create something fresh and straightforward, adding depth to their musical repertoire.

The commercial success of “Fool in the Rain” was notable, with the song climbing to No. 21 on the charts in February 1980. Despite this achievement, Page reiterated the band’s indifference toward chart performance, stating, “We just really wanted to write really good music that would hold up on its own.” He expressed a belief that popular chart music often lacks longevity and depth, which was not the goal for Led Zeppelin.

Furthermore, Page and Bonham had reservations about the softer direction taken on In Through the Out Door. Page remarked that both he and Bonham had envisioned a return to a more hard-hitting rock sound, as they felt that the album’s style didn’t align with their intentions for future projects. They were eager to explore a more robust and driving musical approach moving forward.