Tattoos are weirdly personal, yet we all seem to gravitate toward the same few sentences when life gets heavy. You’ve seen them. "This too shall pass." "Stay strong." But there’s one specific phrase that hits differently because it carries the weight of a cult classic film, a tragic real-life death, and a gothic aesthetic that refuses to die. I’m talking about the it can't rain all the time tattoo. It’s not just a lyric or a movie quote. For many, it’s a permanent reminder that the worst days of your life aren't the final chapter.
If you grew up in the 90s, or even if you just have a thing for moody, atmospheric cinema, you know The Crow. Based on James O’Barr’s comic book, the 1994 film gave us Eric Draven—a man brought back from the dead to avenge his and his fiancée's murders. Draven, played by Brandon Lee, utters those famous words to a young girl named Sarah. It was a promise. A bit of hope in a city that literally never stopped raining. But the reason this tattoo has such staying power isn't just because the movie looked cool. It’s because the production was haunted by the actual death of Brandon Lee on set. When you ink those words onto your skin, you’re tapping into a legacy of grief, resilience, and the strange way art outlives the artist.
The Dark History Behind the Ink
Most people getting an it can't rain all the time tattoo know the movie, but the history of the phrase goes deeper than a screenplay. James O’Barr wrote The Crow as a way to cope with the death of his own fiancée, who was killed by a drunk driver. He was spiraling. He was angry. He poured every ounce of that soul-crushing despair into the character of Eric Draven. The line itself comes from the song "It Can't Rain All the Time" by Jane Siberry, which plays during the film’s credits.
It’s heavy stuff.
When you see this script on someone's forearm or collarbone, it usually suggests they’ve walked through some fire. It’s a survivor’s mark. Honestly, the tattoo often acts as a bridge between the fictional world of a supernatural vigilante and the very real reality of losing someone you love. It’s one of the few pop-culture tattoos that doesn't feel "fandom-y" in a cheesy way. It feels solemn.
Why This Specific Quote Traps So Many People
Why not just get "Keep Going"? Well, because "Keep Going" is boring. It sounds like a gym poster. "It can't rain all the time" is poetic. It acknowledges the storm. It doesn't pretend that life is sunshine and rainbows; it admits that right now, things suck. But it uses the weather as a metaphor for the temporary nature of pain.
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There’s a specific nuance here. The rain in The Crow is a character itself. It represents the filth and corruption of Detroit. So, when Draven says it can’t rain forever, he’s saying the corruption can’t last forever. The evil can’t win indefinitely. People get this tattoo when they are coming out of a depression, finishing a divorce, or marking the anniversary of a loss. It’s a psychological anchor.
Styles and Placements That Actually Work
If you’re thinking about getting an it can't rain all the time tattoo, the "vibe" is everything. Most people lean into the gothic roots.
- Traditional Script: Think messy, typewriter-style fonts or jagged, scratchy handwriting that looks like it was etched into a prison wall. It fits the raw emotion of the quote.
- Minimalist Fine Line: A more modern take. Just the words in a tiny, delicate font, maybe on the ribs or the inner wrist. It’s subtle. It’s for you, not for everyone else to read.
- With Imagery: Often, you’ll see the text wrapped around a crow silhouette or paired with a single tear or a rainy windowpane. Some people go full tribute with Brandon Lee’s face in his iconic makeup, though that’s a big commitment.
Placement is usually somewhere the wearer can see it easily. The inner forearm is the gold standard. When you're having a bad day and you're staring at your hands, those words are right there.
The Brandon Lee Factor
We can’t talk about this tattoo without talking about the tragedy on set. Brandon Lee was killed during a scene where a prop gun was improperly loaded. He was 28. He was about to get married. The parallels between his real life and the character he was playing—a man whose life was cut short right before his wedding—are eerie and heartbreaking.
This added a layer of "memento mori" to the quote. It’s no longer just a line from a movie; it’s a tribute to a talent lost too soon. For many in the tattoo community, especially those who grew up in the 90s alt-culture, the it can't rain all the time tattoo is a way to keep that memory alive. It’s about the fragility of life.
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Common Misconceptions About the Quote
Believe it or not, some people think this is a generic Pinterest quote. They don’t realize it has a 30-year history in film and comics. I’ve seen people get it because they like the "weather metaphor" without ever having seen The Crow. And hey, that’s fine. Tattoos belong to the wearer once they’re in the skin.
But there’s a certain "if you know, you know" energy with this one. If you see someone with this tattoo, you can usually bet they have a leather jacket in their closet and a playlist full of Joy Division or The Cure. It’s a cultural signifier.
Another misconception is that it’s a "sad" tattoo. I’d argue it’s the opposite. It’s an optimistic tattoo wrapped in a dark aesthetic. It’s the literal definition of "the light at the end of the tunnel." It’s acknowledging the darkness so you can move toward the light.
Deciding if It’s Right for You
Before you run to the shop, think about the permanence. This isn't a "trendy" tattoo that will be out of style in two years because it’s already been "in style" for three decades. It’s a classic.
But you should ask yourself:
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- Do I want to explain the movie every time someone asks?
- Does the "gloom" of the quote still resonate when I’m happy?
- Do I want script, or would a symbol (like the Crow itself) represent the feeling better?
Script tattoos can be tricky. Over time, ink spreads. If you get the letters too small or too close together, in ten years, it might just look like a blurry gray smudge. Go for a size that allows the letters to breathe.
Choosing the Right Artist
Don't just go to any shop for script. Look for someone who specializes in lettering or blackwork. If you want that specific Crow aesthetic, find an artist who understands high-contrast "noir" styles. You want someone who can make the ink look like it belongs on a comic book page.
The Lasting Impact of The Crow’s Philosophy
James O’Barr once said in an interview that he was surprised by how much the story resonated with people. He thought he was just purging his own demons. Instead, he created a universal language for grief. The it can't rain all the time tattoo is the physical manifestation of that language.
It reminds us that seasons change. Grief isn't a permanent state; it’s a weather pattern. Sometimes it’s a drizzle, sometimes it’s a hurricane, but eventually, the clouds have to break. That’s a powerful thing to carry on your body.
If you're going to get it, own the darkness of it. Don't try to make it "preppy." Let it be what it is: a gritty, beautiful, slightly tragic reminder that better days are coming. It’s a bit of 90s magic that somehow feels even more relevant today.
Next Steps for Your Tattoo Journey
If you're set on this piece, your first move is to decide on the font—handwritten versions often feel more authentic to the film’s emotional core than standard computer fonts. Scour old comic panels of The Crow for inspiration on how the text was laid out in the original art. Once you have a visual direction, book a consultation with a black-and-grey specialist to discuss how the sizing will hold up over the next decade. Avoid the temptation to go too small; script needs room to age gracefully. Finally, re-watch the movie or read the graphic novel one last time to make sure the sentiment still hits the way you want it to before the needle touches your skin.
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