This is the second song from R.E.M.’s second album, Reckoning. Like many songs from R.E.M.’s early career, the lyrics' meaning is oblique, but the song seems to be about about the pain of loss of life or relationship. Like many other songs from Reckoning, it uses water imagery to convey themes of pain, loss, and bereavement.

During the recording of this song, lead singer Michael Stipe reportedly sang his part so quietly that it was almost completely inaudible. Frustrated with Stipe’s timidity, producer Don Dixon stormed off into the attic and found an old gospel record with odd liner notes that he thought might inspire Stipe. So, Don gave him the record and Stipe unexpectedly began singing it to the backing track – loudly. The gospel record got Stipe to open up, and this odd experiment can be heard on Dead Letter Office as the song “Voice of Harold”.