The Ronnie Milsap Smoky Mountain Rain song was released in September 1980 as the first single from his Greatest Hits compilation album. This single became one of his best-known songs from his career. Ronnie Milsap’s “Smoky Mountain Rain” is a soulful ballad detailing the story of being left by a loved one, and the search to find her again. In 1980, this country-contemporary crossover was his 16th No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country, Contemporary and Hot 100 charts.
The song topped the Billbaord Hot Country songs chart on December 6, 1980. In 2010, the song became Tennessee’s 8th state song, and in 2014 Rolling Stone ranked “Smoky Mountain Rain” in their “Top 100 Country Songs” list.
Watch the live performance video and see the written lyrics below.
Watch Ronnie Milsap Smoky Mountain Rain (live in Branson, Missouri) below.
The “Smoky Mountain Rain” song was written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan.
Ronnie Milsap Smoky Mountain Rain Lyrics
I thumb my way from L.A. 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 coming home.
But the tears filled my eyes when I found out she was gone.
Smoky Mountain rain keeps on falling, I’ll keep on calling her name.
Smoky Mountain rain, I’ll keep on searching, I can’t go on hurting this way.
She’s somewhere in this Smoky Mountain rain.
I can’t blame her for letting go, a woman needs someone warm to hold. Feel the
rain running down my face, I’ll find her no matter what it takes.
[repeat chorus]
I waved a diesel down outside a cafe, said he was going as far as Gatlinburg.
I climbed 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 falling
I’ll keep on calling her name.
Smoky Mountain rain, I’ll keep on searching
I can’t go on hurting this way.
She’s somewhere in the Smoky Mountain rain
