February 20, 2004

Smoky Mountain Rain

Posted by Larry Karnowski at February 20, 2004 2:29 PM

By Ronnie Milsap

I thumbed my way from LA back to Knoxville
I found out those bright lights ain't where I belong
From a phone booth in the rain I called to tell her
I've had a change of dreams I'm comin' home
But tears filled my eyes when I found out she was gone

Smoky Mountain rain keeps on fallin'
I keep on callin' her name
Smoky Mountain rain I'll keep on searchin'
I can't go on hurtin' this way
She's somewhere in the Smoky Mountain rain

I waved a diesel down outside a cafe
He said that he was goin' as far as Gatlinburg
I climbed up in the cab all wet and cold and lonely
I wiped my eyes and told him about her
I've got to find her
Can you make these big wheels burn

Smoky Mountain rain keeps on fallin'
I keep on callin' her name
Smoky Mountain rain I'll keep on searchin'
I can't go on hurtin' this way
She's somewhere in the Smoky Mountain rain

I can't blame her for lettin' go
A woman needs someone warm to hold
I feel the rain runnin' down my face
I'll find her no matter what it takes

Smoky Mountain rain keeps on fallin'
I keep on callin' her name
Smoky Mountain rain I'll keep on searchin'
I can't go on hurtin' this way
She's somewhere in the Smoky Mountain rain


Okay, I'm sorry to post song lyrics twice in a row, but for some reason I woke up with this song on my mind. Why? I have no clue. One of those strange cosmic hiccups I guess. But I had to download it and listen to it again.

If ever there was a song that needed a decent remake... damn. I know this song is cheesy, and Ronnie Milsap is cheesy, but imagine Dan Tyminski redoing this song, or maybe Scott Miller? Damn!

Oh, and where the hell was Ronnie hitching from? He says LA, but Gatlinburg is southEAST of Knoxville. He would've had to have driven THROUGH Knoxville to get there. Hmmm.... Maybe she wasn't really in Knoxville. Maybe she was actually IN the Smoky Mountains. (Maybe she's camping?) If that were true then he'd have to drive through Knoxville, through Gatlinburg, and into the mountains. That would make sense, because maybe he was calling her from a phone booth in Knoxville? Hmmm. Like I said, cosmic hiccups, kids... hiccups.

Of course, wasn't Ronnie blind? (Showing my ignorance here.) Maybe he just couldn't read the map? (Ouch, that was mean!)

Comments

Yes, Ronnie is blind, and if you read the lyrics again, he said he waved a diesel down outside a cafe, that was going as far as Gatlinburg. He would then have to find another ride to Knoxville. Get it , it was going as far as Gatlinburg. You would get to Gatlinburg before you would get to Knoxville. I think you woke up with this song on your mind, because you miss living here in the foothills of the beautiful Smokey Mountains!! Admit it son, it's in your blood. COME HOME !!!

Posted by: Mom at February 20, 2004 9:44 PM

Unfortunately, your mother is wrong. There is nothing in blood about that area. You were born for Raleigh and proximity to both beach and mountains.

Just out of curiosity--your mom does know you have a job, right?

And BTW, NC native Ronnie Milsap doesn't have an "S" at the end of his name.

Posted by: Shane O. at February 21, 2004 8:24 PM

Yes I know he has a job! but he could always get one here too. And My bad Larry, I read the lyrics again and you are right. I have no idea where he was trying to go. Maybe she was camping. And Shane, there is plenty about blood in this area. His blood, he was born here afterall, and his family and alot of his friends are here. We go to the beach on vacation. How often does he go now? I'll fight you to the death on this one!! Looking forward to meeting you at Merlefest (did I spell that right, Larry will tell you I can't spell worth a darn!).

Posted by: Mom at February 22, 2004 5:41 PM

You'd best be careful Shane. Never get between a mama grizzly and her cub! Somebody will wind up getting hurt.

Not that I'm implying that you are a bear, my darling bride. It is just some sound advice that I am passing on to my buddy Shane O.

Posted by: Frank at February 22, 2004 6:59 PM

Actually it's really simple...

When Ronnie gets back to Knoxville and finds out the woman is gone, he waves the diesel down and heads "as far as Gatlinburg."

He had gotten to Knoxville first before heading into the Smokies.

Posted by: Jake at August 10, 2004 3:57 PM