Feeling Gravity's Pull
R.E.M. Lyrics


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I fell asleep and read just about every paragraph

Read the scene where gravity is pulling me around
Peel back the mountains peel back the sky
Stomp gravity into the floor
It's a Man Ray kind of sky
Let me show you what I can do with it
Time and distance are out of place here

Step up, step up, step up the sky is open-armed
When the light is mine, I felt gravity pull

Somewhere near the end it said
"You can't do this", I said "I can, too"
Shift sway rivers shift, oceans fall and mountains drift
It's a Man Ray kind of sky
Let me show you what I can do with it

Step up, step up, step up the sky is open-armed
When the light is mine, I felt gravity pull onto my eyes
Holding my head straight (looking down)
This is the easiest task I've ever had to do

I fell asleep and read just about every paragraph

Read the scene where gravity is pulling me around
Shift the swaying river's shift
Oceans fall and mountains drift
It's a Man Ray kind of sky
Let me show you what I can do with it
Time and distance are out of place here

Step up, step up, step up the sky is open-armed
When the light is mine, I felt gravity pull onto my eyes
Holding my head straight (looking down)
This is the easiest task I've ever had to do
Reason had harnessed the tame




Holding the sky in their arms
Gravity pulls me down

Overall Meaning

The song "Feeling Gravity's Pull" by R.E.M. is a surrealistic piece that explores the impact of gravity and the ways in which it affects our lives. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery such as "peel back the mountains peel back the sky" and "shift sway rivers shift, oceans fall and mountains drift" which evoke an otherworldly and dreamlike atmosphere. The reference to the artist Man Ray adds to the surrealistic theme of the song, as he was known for his innovative approach to art and his role in the surrealist movement.


The chorus of the song serves as a call to action and invites listeners to step up and embrace the open-armed sky. The repetition of this line underscores the importance of taking bold and decisive action in the face of challenges. The verses describe a sense of empowerment in the face of overwhelming forces such as gravity, and the assertion that "I can do this" is a powerful message to readers.


Overall, "Feeling Gravity's Pull" is a song about the human spirit and the power of perseverance even in the face of great challenges. It encourages listeners to take control of their lives and make the most of the opportunities presented to them.


Line by Line Meaning

I fell asleep and read just about every paragraph
I experienced the entirety of what was being written while also being half asleep.


Read the scene where gravity is pulling me around
The lyrics depict a sense of disorientation as the gravity takes hold of the singer and pulls them around.


Peel back the mountains peel back the sky
The singer feels the world around them is coming undone as they experience their surroundings being peeled back and revealed in a new light.


Stomp gravity into the floor
The artist is challenging gravity and trying to assert their independence from its pull.


It's a Man Ray kind of sky Let me show you what I can do with it
The sky becomes a source of inspiration for the artist, leading them to try and manipulate or create something new out of it.


Time and distance are out of place here
The chaotic and disorienting scenes depicted in the song suggest that the rules of time and distance do not apply in this alternate reality.


Step up, step up, step up the sky is open-armed
The singer feels empowered and encouraged to take risks and experiment creatively in this new, open space.


When the light is mine, I felt gravity pull
The artist senses the power of the light and sky around them, which draws them in and gives them a sense of weightlessness.


Somewhere near the end it said "You can't do this", I said "I can, too"
The artist is pushed back by an external force trying to hold them back, but they remain determined to break free and experiment creatively.


Shift sway rivers shift, oceans fall and mountains drift
The reality around the artist begins to shift and change as they experiment with the power of the sky and light in this new space.


Holding my head straight (looking down) This is the easiest task I've ever had to do
The singer is submitting to the pull of gravity but finds it easy to do so, as they are engaged in a creative and empowering process.


Reason had harnessed the tame Holding the sky in their arms Gravity pulls me down
The artist suggests that people who follow reason and convention are limited in their ability to create and manipulate the world around them, whereas embracing chaos and experimentation allows for a freer experience.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILL BERRY, PETER BUCK, MICHAEL MILLS, MICHAEL STIPE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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