R.E.M. Lyrics

    ------ About the song Leaving New York performed by R.E.M.

I was taken up with the first British invasion of groups and music and never fixed REM on my radar. However, if this song is representative of their body of work, then I've really missed something special! It's as good as anything the Beatles or Stones did lyrically or melodically...and I guess that's the highest praise in rock-pop. What a mature vision and talented group performing what has become 1 of my favorite songs after I & my wife left that amazing city in the middle of hurricane Sandy. Gotta now get more of them.

    ------ About the song Find The River performed by R.E.M.

Greatest song by REM followed close by Star me Kitten, New test lepper & Wendell Gee (to me). Somehow I still think of it as an unfortunate moment to lead to greatness & freedom. Life is a trail of trials & triumphs. The ocean to me represents life & joy, not death or afterlife, so I'm sticking to my interpretation. So is art, so is life :-)

    ------ About the song Ignoreland performed by R.E.M.

A political shift did occur in this country during the time in history mentioned in the song and it infected both parties like a virus. At that time, 5% of Americans controlled 95% of the wealth, now 1% of Americans control 99% of the wealth in America. So what happened did have a long-term affect on our country and continues to affect us. I am reminded of Rome...

    ------ About the song Losing My Religion performed by R.E.M.

Michael Stipe publicly admitted to being bisexual in 1994.

When this song was released, an AIDS/HIV diagnosis meant a certain, painful death.

Consider the all-male cast, the abundance of angel wings, and the emotional tone of a memorial in the official music video release (for MTV play).

Is it a stretch to consider the song a personal lament over the loss of a loved one to AIDS?

Remember, Tony Kushner's award-winning play "Angels in America"(gays coping with AIDS) debuted on Broadway in May 1991.

    ------ About the song Walk Unafraid performed by R.E.M.

Thank God for "anonymous" and his/her ability to hear properly. I wish that people with no idea whatsoever wouldn't post what they think the lyrics are because OMG this is ridiculous.

    ------ About the song Find The River performed by R.E.M.

As so many have said in the reviews to follow, this song is not only R.E.M. most finely written piece, but, one in which the lyrics and melody capture life at the point of meeting death and find the frivolous means in which we may guide our life through times of health. A song that credits Nature for understanding the "meaning of life" and leaves the human spirit uplifted, saved, and brings hope to the Afterlife.

My father recently passed on due to complications of liver cancer and I listen to this song continously. I found so much of his pain, and I hope his joy in meeting the afterlife, in the lyrics of this song.

Thank you R.E.M.

    ------ About the song Ignoreland performed by R.E.M.

And you would have to live here to get it. We look at the shit everyday and know exactly what REM is singing about. It applies just as readily in 2012 as it did when it was first released. Sad to think that nothing has changed in all that time...

    ------ About the song Be Mine performed by R.E.M.

ONE OF THE BEST SONGS OF REM THE GUITAR IN THIS SONG IS JUST PERFECT!!!! PETER BUCK AND MIKE MILLS ARE THE 2 BEST ARTISTS THERE IS!!!!!!!!!!! IS PERFECT IS A MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!

    ------ About the song Drive performed by R.E.M.

WOW...that's all I can say about this song.

Despite all the innuendo about REM's intentions with some of their songs, this song is one of their best. Undoubtedly, Mike Stipe may not have been entirely straight but neither was John Lennon, and Elton John was definately not straight, but if being off the beam can produce such great songs, then maybe we should all go off the beam a bit.

It has shades of John Lennon and Bob Dylan in it. I love the references to Rock Around The Clock. REM definately was influenced by a wide range of rock artists, from The Beatles to Bill Haley. It's a shame that more people don't know this band, but they did leave behind a rich legacy.

Just ignore REM's reputation and give a listen to this. If you like rockers with a touch of ballad acoustics, you'll love it like I do.

    ------ About the song Be Mine performed by R.E.M.

REM touch us in places we don't even know we have.
Thanks guys, great job. They always cheer me up(even with their slowest songs) My inspiration, they make me think, this is what I want to do with my life. So I'm gonna do it!