Ten years ago, the internet was a very different place, yet some moments are etched in our collective memory. Alongside Britney’s buzzcut and Paris Hilton’s jail stint, the year 2007 delivered “Chocolate Rain.” Tay Zonday’s unexpected YouTube hit quickly became ubiquitous. For many, including myself as a teenager, the song was a source of amusement. Driving around with friends, the nonsensical lyrics “chocolate rain” were repeated and laughed at, the meaning lost in the virality. While the comedic aspect of “Chocolate Rain” dominated its initial reception, a decade later, it’s time to examine the song beyond its meme status and recognize its surprisingly profound message.
The Viral Blueprint of “Chocolate Rain”
“Chocolate Rain” was a viral sensation for a multitude of reasons. It possessed all the elements that defined early internet humor: the stark simplicity of a man at a keyboard, the bizarre song title, Zonday’s intense delivery and dramatic breathing away from the microphone, his deep baritone voice, and the overall earnestness of the presentation. It was, in many ways, the perfect storm for a viral video. Looking back after ten years, the video retains its comedic charm, aging gracefully like a vintage internet meme. However, this initial humor overshadowed the song’s deeper layers, preventing many from recognizing its powerful social commentary on racism.
Uncovering the Deeper Meaning a Decade Later
It wasn’t until years later, re-listening to “Chocolate Rain” with my brother, that the song’s true depth began to surface. While the laughter was still there, a more attentive listen revealed a message that had been previously missed. The realization dawned: Zonday was singing about racism, a concept that, while obvious in hindsight, hadn’t registered amidst the initial viral frenzy. Tay Zonday wasn’t the first to address racial inequality in song, but his unique approach and the passage of time have allowed for a more nuanced understanding of his work.
The song resurfaced again recently during a voice-over recording session. The sound of my own breathing in the studio triggered a moment of recognition. The need to “move away from the mic to breathe in,” Zonday’s signature move, suddenly felt relatable. This seemingly trivial detail became the key to unlocking a deeper connection with the song’s message. Sharing this realization with a colleague, the admission of deeply “getting” “Chocolate Rain” was met with laughter, but also a surprising understanding.
Reading the lyrics aloud, disregarding the repeated “chocolate rain,” unveiled the raw message. It became clear that the humor had initially masked a potent and relevant commentary. Perhaps in 2007, the internet, and society at large, wasn’t ready to fully appreciate Tay Zonday’s message, distracted by the novelty of the viral format.
The Enduring Relevance of “Chocolate Rain”
The lyrics, often dismissed as nonsensical, are laden with meaning when viewed through the lens of social commentary. “Chocolate rain,” interpreted as a metaphor for racism or the pain and tears of Black people, speaks to a stark reality. The lines about some staying “dry” while others feel the pain directly address the disparity in experiences of racism. The lyric “Say it publicly and you’re insane” poignantly captures the gaslighting effect of systemic racism, where speaking out against injustice can be met with dismissal and accusations of oversensitivity.
Unlike many viral videos from 2007 – the Miss Teen USA pageant mishap, prison inmates dancing to “Thriller,” or Daft Punk hands – “Chocolate Rain” has endured. These other videos, once internet sensations, have largely faded from cultural memory, their meaning diluted by time. “Chocolate Rain,” however, persists not only because of its comedic value but also because its underlying message continues to resonate. Ten years later, as more people recognize the depth beneath the surface, “Chocolate Rain” stands as a testament to the power of art to embed profound social commentary within seemingly lighthearted forms, ensuring its continued relevance for years to come.
