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You Are the Everything
R.E.M. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sometimes I feel like I can't even sing (say, say, the light)
I'm very scared for this world, I'm very scared for me (say, say, the light)
Eviscerate your memory
Here's a scene
You're in the backseat laying down, the windows wrap around (say, say, the light)
To sound of the travel and the engine (say, say, the light)
All you hear is time stand still in travel
And feel such peace and absolute
The stillness still that doesn't end
But slowly drifts into sleep
The stars are the greatest thing you've ever seen
And they're there for you
For you alone, you are the everything

I think about this world a lot and I cry (say, say, the light)
And I've seen the films and the eyes
But I'm in this kitchen (say, say, the light)
Everything is beautiful
And she is so beautiful (say, say, the light)
She is so young and old
I look at her and I see the beauty of the light of music (say, say, the light)
The voices talking somewhere in the house, late spring
And you're drifting off to sleep with your teeth in your mouth
You are here with me
You are here with me
You have been here and you are everything

Sometimes I feel like I can't even sing (say, say, the light)
I'm very scared for this world, I'm very scared for me (say, say, the light)
Eviscerate your memory
Here's a scene
You're in the backseat laying down, the windows wrap around (say, say, the light)
To the sound of the travel and the engine (say, say, the light)
All you hear is time stand still in travel
And feel such peace and absolute
The stillness still that doesn't end
But slowly drifts into sleep
The greatest thing you've ever seen
And they're there for you
For you alone, you are the everything
For you alone you are the everything

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to R.E.M.'s song You Are The Everything are introspective and melancholic in nature. The singer expresses his fear and sadness for the state of the world and his own existence. The repetition of the phrase "say, say, the light" adds to the dreamlike quality of the lyrics.


The scene described in the lyrics is vivid and tranquil, with a sense of contentment and peace. The backseat of a car becomes a sanctuary, with the engine and the sound of travel lulling the passenger into a state of absolute stillness that slowly drifts into sleep. The stars become the focal point, and they are "there for you, for you alone" signaling that the universe is vast and infinite.


The singer acknowledges that life can be overwhelming at times, and he cries over the state of the world. However, in the presence of someone he loves, in this case, the woman in the kitchen, everything becomes beautiful. The beauty of music and the voices talking late into the night create a sense of belonging and comfort, as the singer comfortingly reassures the person next to him that "you are here with me. You have been here, and you are everything."


Overall, You Are The Everything reflects on the precariousness of life and the infinite wonder of the universe, but ultimately suggests that the presence of loved ones can bring comfort in the face of these uncertainties.


Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes I feel like I can't even sing (say, say, the light)
At times, I feel like I'm helpless to express myself, even through singing.


I'm very scared for this world, I'm very scared for me (say, say, the light)
I'm frightened for the state of the world and how it affects me personally.


Eviscerate your memory
Eliminate your memory completely.


Here's a scene
Here is a situation I'd like to describe.


You're in the backseat laying down, the windows wrap around (say, say, the light)
You're resting in the car's backseat with a panoramic view of the surroundings.


To sound of the travel and the engine (say, say, the light)
You can hear the sound of the vehicle and the engine.


All you hear is time stand still in travel
You perceive time as frozen while traveling.


And feel such peace and absolute
You feel an overwhelming sense of tranquility and completeness.


The stillness still that doesn't end
You experience an unending stillness.


But slowly drifts into sleep
You gradually fall asleep.


The stars are the greatest thing you've ever seen
The stars appear to be the most beautiful thing you've ever laid eyes on.


And they're there for you
You feel a personal connection to the stars.


For you alone, you are the everything
You are the most important thing in the world.


I think about this world a lot and I cry (say, say, the light)
I often contemplate the world and it brings me to tears.


And I've seen the films and the eyes
I've seen many movies and what is depicted through people's eyes.


But I'm in this kitchen (say, say, the light)
Despite everything I've seen and felt before, I'm currently standing in this kitchen.


Everything is beautiful
Everything around me is stunningly beautiful.


And she is so beautiful (say, say, the light)
She, in particular, is so incredibly beautiful.


She is so young and old
She embodies both youthfulness and maturity.


I look at her and I see the beauty of the light of music (say, say, the light)
She exudes the beauty and radiance that comes from music.


The voices talking somewhere in the house, late spring
In the late spring season, you can hear voices from somewhere within the house.


And you're drifting off to sleep with your teeth in your mouth
You're slowly drifting off to sleep with your teeth still in your mouth.


You are here with me
Your presence is here with me.


You have been here and you are everything
You have always been here and you are the only thing that truly matters.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Dragon Stream

Sometimes I feel like I can't even sing (say, say, the light)
I'm very scared for this world, I'm very scared for me (say, say, the light)
Eviscerate your memory
Here's a scene
You're in the backseat laying down, the windows wrap around (say, say, the light)
To sound of the travel and the engine (say, say, the light)
All you hear is time stand still in travel
And feel such peace and absolute
The stillness still that doesn't end
But slowly drifts into sleep
The stars are the greatest thing you've ever seen
And they're there for you
For you alone, you are the everything
I think about this world a lot and I cry (say, say, the light)
And I've seen the films and the eyes
But I'm in this kitchen (say, say, the light)
Everything is beautiful
And she is so beautiful (say, say, the light)
She is so young and old
I look at her and I see the beauty of the light of music (say, say, the light)
The voices talking somewhere in the house, late spring
And you're drifting off to sleep with your teeth in your mouth
You are here with me
You are here with me
You have been here and you are everything
Sometimes I feel like I can't even sing (say, say, the light)
I'm very scared for this world, I'm very scared for me (say, say, the light)
Eviscerate your memory
Here's a scene
You're in the backseat laying down, the windows wrap around (say, say, the light)
To the sound of the travel and the engine (say, say, the light)
All you hear is time stand still in travel
And feel such peace and absolute
The stillness still that doesn't end
But slowly drifts into sleep
The greatest thing you've ever seen
And they're there for you
For you alone, you are the everything
For you alone you are the everything



Hell is Empty and All the Devils are Here

"Sometimes I feel like I can't even sing
I'm very scared for this world; I'm very scared for me
Eviscerate your memory
Here's a scene : You're in the backseat laying down,
the windows wrap around
To sound of the travel and the engine
All you hear is time stand still in travel
And feel such peace and absolute
The stillness still that doesn't end
But slowly drifts into sleep
The stars are the greatest thing you've ever seen
And they're there for you
For you alone, you are the everything"

Possibly the best song ever wrote.



All comments from YouTube:

James Sutton

This is my favourite song. I never met another Green fan, but it was my first REM discovery and i personally think its their greatest album. This song is so beautiful it encapsulates my entire philosophy of the meaning of life. God bless you Michael Stipe.

KIMwants2b inWONDERLAND

Agreed

Bill Siebert

You have a fuckin green fan right here!

Eric Hofrichter

Well said

Kevino Gracia

This is Michael blossoming and maturing in his construction of lyrics.
Beautiful... and scary...

Soul Glory

It was my first album, I fell in love.

25 More Replies...

Marie Mills

I think this has to be my favourite R.E.M. song of all time. There are no words to describe how absolutely beautiful this song is and how it makes me feel.

beamertoy

+Marie Mills Same here. I'd like to sing and play this to someone I absolutely love and care for

Carol Allen

+Marie Mills Me, too!

asnout4you

me too

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