Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
As I've mentioned several times on the channel, almost all of the songs I wrote as a teen followed the example of most classic country songs, meaning they focused on lost love in a despairing sort of way. That's true of this song in a bitter way. If I were writing this song over, I would change the second verse. That verse is well-written poetically, with language that matches the sort of medieval feel of the rest of the song. However, I think the hyperbole went too far in that verse.
By that, I don't mean that the hyperbole was too exaggerated. Many classic country songs go even farther, saying things like, "the sun will never shine again," etc. I think my second verse goes too far by being insensitive to people who face physical challenges. No matter how much someone might wallow in a romantic loss or misfortune, it could never compare to being unable to see or losing the ability to walk. If the listener thinks about it in that light, instead of being powerful, the hyperbole of the second verse just makes the speaker sound like a self-absorbed baby. :-)
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed some aspect of this video and the old recording, albeit odd. Below are links to things I mentioned in the video, followed by the song lyrics. Thanks for watching!
Interview about Josh's new book: youtube.com/watch?v=Db_44E0ci8E&t=20s
Jimmy Dean, "Big John:" youtube.com/watch?v=7aCOaVYwwao
Good, Bad, and the Ugly main musical theme: youtube.com/watch?v=XOl73VQOS9M
Hometown Girl: youtube.com/watch?v=5o9_fL21WMY&t=205s
Paul, Tipper, Corie, "Waiting for a Train:" youtube.com/watch?v=3hE8gbGQXRA
In the Heat of the Night opening TV theme: youtube.com/watch?v=1ivb0l1NJXk
Lyrics:
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
Dark clouds hangin' low.
Cold wind in my soul.
My heart grieves so...
Your memory just won't go.
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
How I wish I'd never heard your name,
Your countenance beheld,
As the blind longs for sight,
As the lame wishes he never fell.
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
In the rain...a --'ain...
Ooooh, ohhhh!
Listen to original singles released on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/artist/5VX6ZKjBvDB31BhNdR7EXC
Listen to original singles on YouTube:
youtube.com/channel/UC2WQqe6yfRH2zahVpfZ_teg
Listen to Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016):
open.spotify.com/album/4VnoOyUTOtSqrmVKinmSJz
As I've mentioned several times on the channel, almost all of the songs I wrote as a teen followed the example of most classic country songs, meaning they focused on lost love in a despairing sort of way. That's true of this song in a bitter way. If I were writing this song over, I would change the second verse. That verse is well-written poetically, with language that matches the sort of medieval feel of the rest of the song. However, I think the hyperbole went too far in that verse.
By that, I don't mean that the hyperbole was too exaggerated. Many classic country songs go even farther, saying things like, "the sun will never shine again," etc. I think my second verse goes too far by being insensitive to people who face physical challenges. No matter how much someone might wallow in a romantic loss or misfortune, it could never compare to being unable to see or losing the ability to walk. If the listener thinks about it in that light, instead of being powerful, the hyperbole of the second verse just makes the speaker sound like a self-absorbed baby. :-)
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed some aspect of this video and the old recording, albeit odd. Below are links to things I mentioned in the video, followed by the song lyrics. Thanks for watching!
Interview about Josh's new book: youtube.com/watch?v=Db_44E0ci8E&t=20s
Jimmy Dean, "Big John:" youtube.com/watch?v=7aCOaVYwwao
Good, Bad, and the Ugly main musical theme: youtube.com/watch?v=XOl73VQOS9M
Hometown Girl: youtube.com/watch?v=5o9_fL21WMY&t=205s
Paul, Tipper, Corie, "Waiting for a Train:" youtube.com/watch?v=3hE8gbGQXRA
In the Heat of the Night opening TV theme: youtube.com/watch?v=1ivb0l1NJXk
Lyrics:
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
Dark clouds hangin' low.
Cold wind in my soul.
My heart grieves so...
Your memory just won't go.
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
How I wish I'd never heard your name,
Your countenance beheld,
As the blind longs for sight,
As the lame wishes he never fell.
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
I'm sleepin' in the rain.
In the rain...a --'ain...
Ooooh, ohhhh!
Listen to original singles released on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/artist/5VX6ZKjBvDB31BhNdR7EXC
Listen to original singles on YouTube:
youtube.com/channel/UC2WQqe6yfRH2zahVpfZ_teg
Listen to Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016):
open.spotify.com/album/4VnoOyUTOtSqrmVKinmSJz
