The One I Love
@ Rock-Weekend: R.E.M. Lyrics


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This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
A simple prop to occupy my time
This one goes out to the one I love

Fire
Fire
This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
A simple prop to occupy my time
This one goes out to the one I love

Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)

This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
Another prop has occupied my time
This one goes out to the one I love

Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)




Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)

Overall Meaning

"The One I Love" by R.E.M. is a seemingly simple song that actually conveys a much darker message than what may initially meet the ear. The song is about a person who has left someone they once loved, but still uses them as a "simple prop to occupy my time." The lyrics continue to repeat "this one goes out to the one I love" which at first sounds like a love letter, but in reality is a dismissive, almost spiteful message to the person who was left behind.


The repeated mention of "fire" in the song further adds to the notion that the singer has moved on without any intention of looking back. The line "fire (she's coming down on her own, now)" suggests the person they left behind is experiencing a downfall or some sort of demise.


Overall, "The One I Love" is a powerful and thought-provoking track that challenges traditional notions of love and relationships. It's a reminder that sometimes, what we think of as love can actually be a selfish and destructive force.


Line by Line Meaning

This one goes out to the one I love
I dedicate this song to the person I love


This one goes out to the one I've left behind
I'm still thinking of the person I left behind


A simple prop to occupy my time
This song is just a way to fill my time


Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
She's falling into trouble on her own now


Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
She's falling into trouble on her own now


This one goes out to the one I love
I dedicate this song to the person I love


This one goes out to the one I've left behind
I'm still thinking of the person I left behind


A simple prop to occupy my time
This song is just a way to fill my time


Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
She's falling into trouble on her own now


Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
She's falling into trouble on her own now


This one goes out to the one I love
I dedicate this song to the person I love


This one goes out to the one I've left behind
I'm still thinking of the person I left behind


Another prop has occupied my time
I have found another way to occupy my time


This one goes out to the one I love
I dedicate this song to the person I love


Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
She's falling into trouble on her own now


Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
She's falling into trouble on her own now


Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
She's falling into trouble on her own now


Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
She's falling into trouble on her own now




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: William Thomas Berry, Peter Lawrence Buck, Michael E. Mills, John Michael Stipe

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

@Rog-Nature-vs-Nurture

This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
A simple prop to occupy my time
This one goes out to the one I love
Fire
Fire
This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
A simple prop to occupy my time
This one goes out to the one I love
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own)
This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
Another prop has occupied my time
This one goes out to the one I love
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own)
Fire(she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own)



All comments from YouTube:

@bigalwray

Grew up as a black kid in a, shall I say, impoverished neighbourhood. My Mum’s new boyfriend introduced me to REM. Never looked back.

@imnottellingyoumyname3050

What about when you're reversing your car.

@6figureceleryjfs378

Music is the best of humans.

@evelynzlon9492

I'm black too. This song is about the Mona Lisa, a "simple prop" whom Da Vinci cherished and toted with him wherever he went. The Mona Lisa is actually the image of the beast from the sea discussed in the Bible's Revelations. Da Vinci himself was one head of the beast in fact. He's a vampire who can age backwards, and he's also been known as Otto von Bismarck and Adolf Hitler. These 2 statesmen were stylistically different but their underlying bone structure was identical. And the German King at the time voluntarily conferred all of his power and authority to Prince Otto for some strange reason. This unprecedented event parallels the Biblical description of the beast's ascent to power.

Here's the catch: America was originally ordained by God as a free land for whites. For the Gentiles specifically, which is virtually inclusive of all whites. Therefore I have a neutral attitude towards the fact that my great-great-great grandpa Otto is the Devil. This song fills my heart with sentimental nostalgia although I know exactly what it's about.

@rubyfuselier2925

Dude, I'm glad you made it out. I was one of those kid too.

@evelynzlon9492

@@rubyfuselier2925 You've changed. A lot.

15 More Replies...

@petegarza2025

Ladies and gentlemen this is how it's done...What a powerful haunting song...This is why R.E.M. is in the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME...👏👏👏

@chrisvassiliou889

Hall of Fame it is for the records , it is enormity of the lyrics and music that shutters me

@petegarza2025

@@chrisvassiliou889 I personally think the RRHOF has become nothing more than a fraternity where only a select few are acceptable and I find that very annoying and disturbing...How can you leave out critically acclaimed bands like "BOSTON","BADFINGER,and"THIN LIZZY"...The RRHOF is nothing but a complete SHAM...

@peterninnim2561

Well day

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