A lifetime R.E.M. disciple, this was one of the songs in my acoustic set-list in college. I always felt it would make a fittingly heavier cover in one of my bands, but nobody ever was interested, so a few years later I played and recorded what I heard by myself.
Songwriters: Peter Lawrence Buck / Michael E. Mills / William Thomas Berry / John Michael Stipe
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’s 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 wrote his words upon the rocks
But I’m not bound to follow suit
The trees will bend, the conversation ends
Go build yourself another home, this choice isn’t mine
I’m sorry, I’m sorry
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 cities wash away
Go build yourself another dream, this choice isn’t mine
I’m sorry, I’m sorry
I’m sorry, I’m sorry
Yes, I agree I prefer the heavier gritty version as well. I like your rendition. Now that I have experience of “being a girl without a dream” in my past (not my present or my future) I feel the angst and appreciate the heaviness of the guitar!