Before the Rain (album)


Before the Rain is the third album by the British R&B vocal group Eternal, released in March 1997. The album includes the single "I Wanna Be the Only One" which became Eternal's first and only number one hit in the United Kingdom. The album features lead vocals from Vernie Bennett and Kéllé Bryan, and is their last to feature Bryan.
A commercial success, the album went Gold in its first week, debuting with sales of 100,000 copies before being certified Platinum. According to Billboard, a US release was planned for August 26, 1997, featuring 4 additional tracks. "Dreams", produced by Peter Mokran and Emosia was slated as the lead single and was serviced to R&B radio on June 9, 1997.

Single releases

"Someday", which was the theme to Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, was released as a single in 1996, the year before Before the Rain was released. "Don't You Love Me" was released just before the album's release, followed by the duet with American singer BeBe Winans "I Wanna Be the Only One" which reached #1 in the UK, becoming Eternal's first and only number one hit there. "How Many Tears" was scheduled for release as a single but plans were dropped due to the future release of the Greatest Hits. Australian version of the album includes the original mix of Dreams. Dreams was intended to be a single in the US where a repackaged version of Before The Rain would've been released, re-titled "Dreams" and including a further two new songs. These are thought to have been "Angel Of Mine" and "Talk About it".

Critical reception and sales

Before The Rain received a positive response from music critics and fans and it gained Eternal a MOBO Award. The album peaked at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Platinum by the BPI for sales of over 300,000 copies.

Track listing

Japanese Bonus Tracks

Peak positions

Year-end charts

Certifications