The lyrics for this song, like most of the lyrics for the musical of the same name, were written by Arthur Freed. Freed had already been writing song lyrics for many years when Singin' in the Rain came out; in fact he had worked not only with the Marx Brothers but with their mother before them.

The music for the song was composed by Nacio Herb Brown, who also composed most of the other melodies for the movie. He and Freed began working together in the late 1920s, and they published Singin' in the Rain (the song) in 1929. It is said that it may have been written earlier, but if so there is no record of it.

The musical film, of which the song sung by Gene Kelly is the most famous moment, came out in 1952. The film wasn't a huge success to start with, but has grown more and more popular since, and is now being performed on stage again.