Varun Sheel’ s music has always carried a deeply personal touch, but with the release of “Here – Rainy Day Version,” he distills that emotional depth into its purest form. The song, originally released in a more produced, polished state, has now been stripped down to its core—a vulnerable, introspective meditation on love, uncertainty, and the passage of time.
At its heart, “Here” is a story of separation. Written in the early days of the pandemic, the track captures Sheel’s experience of saying goodbye to his wife before the world went into lockdown. As she boarded a plane to return home to her family, the future was unclear, and the emotional weight of the moment hung heavy. In his words, “There was so much I didn’t know. When would this be over? When would I see her again? Would I see her again?” Those questions, along with a deep desire to preserve the fleeting present, form the essence of the song’s lyrics.
In the Rainy Day Version, Varun Sheel takes the emotional intensity of the original and removes the heavy production layers, allowing the raw vulnerability of the track to breathe. Gone are the basslines, the synths, and the futuristic touches that framed the original version. In their place is a sparse arrangement—a simple piano line, the sound of raindrops, and a heartbeat-like drum rhythm that guides the listener through the emotional landscape of the song. This shift in instrumentation isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s an artistic decision that serves the song’s narrative, allowing Sheel’s tender vocals and poignant lyrics to be the sole focus.
This version of “Here” is a far more intimate experience, drawing the listener into Varun Sheel’s world. Where the original felt expansive, the Rainy Day Version feels like a quiet moment alone, reflecting on the fragility of love and the impossibility of holding on to fleeting moments. The lyrics, especially lines like “You and I / We’re fractured hearts / There’s a clock burning away this spark of ours,” hit even harder when placed in this stripped-back setting. The emotional core of the song—its themes of longing, fear, and the passage of time—becomes almost palpable in its simplicity.
Sheel’s connection to his own emotional experiences is central to the song’s power. He has often spoken about how his upbringing—his exposure to both Western music and Hindustani classical traditions—shaped his approach to songwriting. This blend of influences is subtly present in the way he crafts melodies that feel timeless yet modern. On “Here – Rainy Day Version,” this blend takes a backseat to the emotional impact of the song, but it’s clear that Sheel’s musicianship is still at the forefront. The raindrops and heartbeat elements that open and close the track are more than just sonic flourishes; they set the tone, immersing the listener in the same emotional space that Sheel was in when he wrote the song.