 Music critics gave the song positive reviews , complimenting it as a dance ballad and noting Gomez 's vocal maturity . " A Year Without Rain " became the band 's third consecutive top forty single in the United States and Canada . It also charted in the lower regions of numerous European charts . The song 's accompanying music video , directed by Chris Dooley and shot on @-@ site in Lucerne Valley , California features Gomez frolicking in the desert surrounded by a swarm of photographs of her and her love interest , before they meet during a rainstorm . The band performed the song a number of times via live performances , including on televised programs such as Good Morning America , The Ellen DeGeneres Show , and the 37th Annual People 's Choice Awards . 
