So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)

Album: Reckoning (1984)
Charted: 85
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • R.E.M. was opening for the Human League at the Palace Theater in Los Angeles on June 11, 1983, when they got word of downpours in the South Central region of Georgia. The band is from Athens, Georgia, which is located in this area, so they tried to call their families and friends to make sure they were OK, but the phones were out because of the torrential rain. The band wrote "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)" in response to this incident.
  • R.E.M. performed it on the television show Late Night with David Letterman in 1983 before it even had a title in what was the band's first national television appearance. The spot also inadvertently shaped the frontman's persona. Michael Stipe remembered in Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982-2011: "They were all really nice to us, we were so green. The producers told us before the show that Dave would come over and talk to one band member after the song, and so Peter was chosen to represent us all. We made it through the song fine, but when Dave came over to talk I sat down on the floor monitor, and from that moment on, forever and ever, I was dubbed 'enigmatic.' What a crackup. Meh!"
  • It became the second R.E.M. single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #85. "Radio Free Europe" was their first song to chart. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Muammar - Richmond, VA, for all above
  • Stipe refused to lip-sync for the 1984 music video, directed by Howard Libov, which impressed bandmate Mike Mills. "I really like that Michael sang a live track when we made the video. I don't think that had been done up until that point," he said.

Comments: 3

  • Jm.v. from Fairfax, Va.In an interview Michael Stipe said the song was inspired by his parents expecting a call which from him while he and the band were touring the mid-west, a he couldn't make because torrential rains and flood waters had taken out the lines. When he finally got through to them, they were freaking out because they were afraid something disastrous had happened to him. His apology is for the concern the situation caused....
  • Doug from Whittier, CaIt's about Michael Stipe not being able to get a call from a Woman he was dating at that time in his life and she wanted to get married (we all know that didn't happen!) it says. " EASTERN TO MOUNTAIN THIRD PARTY CALL THE LINES ARE DOWN THE WISE MAN BUILT HIS WORDS UPON THE ROCKS, BUT IM NOT BOUND TOO FOLLOW SUIT" he's saying he won't get married to the Woman calling him from the East Coast, while he and the band are in New Mexico.
  • Ken from Philadelphia, PaI am dating myself here, but I remember watching that Letterman appearance where they first played So. Central Rain. I can't think of another song that I liked so much upon hearing it for the first time.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.