So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)

Album: Reckoning (1984)
Charted: 85
Play Video
  • Did you never call? I waited for your call
    These rivers of suggestion are driving me away
    The trees will bend, the cities wash away
    The city on the river there is a girl without a dream

    I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry

    Eastern to Mountain, third party call, the lines are down
    The wise man built his words upon the rocks
    But I'm not bound to follow suit
    The trees will bend, the conversation's dimmed
    Go build yourself another home, this choice isn't mine

    I'm sorry, I'm sorry
    Did you never call? I waited for your call
    These rivers of suggestion are driving me away
    The ocean sang, the conversation's dimmed
    Go build yourself another dream, this choice isn't mine

    I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry Writer/s: Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck, William Berry
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."