The mournful break-up song "I Wish It Would Rain" in particular drew from Penzabene's real-life pain & suffering. The songwriter found out that his wife was cheating on him, but could not bring himself to leave her, and his emotions on the situation are present in both of his final compositions, "I Wish It Would Rain" and "I Could Never Love Another". However the lyrics to the song were changed from the original one. On New Year's Eve 1967, a week after the release of "I Wish It Would Rain", Penzabene committed suicide.
Bruce Finsilver
Roger Penzabene (d. December 31, 1967) was a songwriter for the Motown label. Among his most notable compositions are "The End of Our Road" by Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye, and a trilogy of hits for the Temptations: "You're My Everything", "I Wish It Would Rain", and "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)".
The mournful break-up song "I Wish It Would Rain" in particular drew from Penzabene's real-life pain & suffering. The songwriter found out that his wife was cheating on him, but could not bring himself to leave her, and his emotions on the situation are present in both of his final compositions, "I Wish It Would Rain" and "I Could Never Love Another". However the lyrics to the song were changed from the original one. On New Year's Eve 1967, a week after the release of "I Wish It Would Rain", Penzabene committed suicide.