Losing My Religion
R.E.M. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, life is bigger
It's bigger
Than you and you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up
That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

Every whisper
Of every waking hour
I'm choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up

Consider this
Consider this
The hint of the century
Consider this
The slip that brought me
To my knees, failed
What if all these fantasies
Come flailing around?
Now I've said too much

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream
That was just a dream

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream
Try, cry
Why try?




That was just a dream, just a dream, just a dream
Dream

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to R.E.M.'s song "Losing My Religion" are open to interpretation, but the common idea is that it is about unrequited love and the fear of revealing one's true feelings, putting oneself in a vulnerable position. The lines "Oh no, I've said too much, I set it up" suggest that the singer has revealed too much to the person they are in love with and may have scared them away. The singer is losing their "religion," meaning they are losing their cool and their composure as they try to keep up with the person they are infatuated with.


The heart of the song is the chorus, where the singer repeats the line "That's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight, losing my religion." The metaphor of being in the spotlight represents being exposed and vulnerable, while being in the corner is being isolated or ignored. The phrase "losing my religion" is a southern idiom for losing one's temper or self-control, but in the context of the song, it is more about losing one's grip on reality as they struggle with their feelings.


The second verse adds to the idea of confessions, as the singer is "choosing my confessions, trying to keep an eye on you." They are watching the person they love, hoping for a sign that their feelings are reciprocated. However, the singer knows that they are acting foolishly, like "a hurt lost and blinded fool." The line "What if all these fantasies come flailing around?" suggests the fear of being rejected and facing the reality that they may have been misinterpreting the other person's actions.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, life is bigger
Life is vast and all-encompassing.


It's bigger
Life is more than just ourselves and our individual experiences.


Than you and you are not me
We are all unique individuals with different perspectives.


The lengths that I will go to
The extent of my efforts.


The distance in your eyes
The emotional separation between us.


Oh no, I've said too much
I've revealed more than I intended to.


I set it up
I created the situation that led to my confession.


That's me in the corner
I am feeling isolated and vulnerable.


That's me in the spotlight
I am now exposed and under scrutiny.


Losing my religion
Feeling like I am losing control of my emotions and sense of self.


Trying to keep up with you
Attempting to live up to someone else's expectations or ideals.


And I don't know if I can do it
I am uncertain if I am capable of meeting those expectations.


I haven't said enough
I am holding back some of my true thoughts and feelings.


I thought that I heard you laughing
I believed you were happy and content with me.


I thought that I heard you sing
I believed you were expressing joy and love towards me.


I think I thought I saw you try
I believed you were trying to understand me and our relationship.


Every whisper
Every private thought or feeling.


Of every waking hour
During every moment of my life when I am awake and conscious.


I'm choosing my confessions
I am selecting what to reveal and what to keep hidden.


Like a hurt lost and blinded fool, fool
Feeling foolish and helpless due to emotional pain and confusion.


Consider this
Think about this carefully.


The hint of the century
A very significant clue or suggestion.


The slip that brought me
The mistake that led to my confession.


To my knees, failed
I am overwhelmed and defeated.


What if all these fantasies
What if all of my hopes and dreams are just illusions?


Come flailing around?
Will they just fall apart and bring me more pain?


Dream
A state of mind in which everything is possible and nothing is certain.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Teacher.Paulo.Eduardo

Oh life, it's bigger
It's bigger than you
And you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

Every whisper
Of every waking hour
I'm choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt, lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up

Consider this
Consider this, the hint of the century
Consider this, the slip
That brought me to my knees, failed
What if all these fantasies come
Flailing around
Now I've said too much

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream
That was just a dream

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream
Try, cry, why try
That was just a dream
Just a dream
Just a dream, dream



@cl.kevi4419

"Losing My Religion"

Oh life, it's bigger
It's bigger than you
And you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

Every whisper
Of every waking hour
I'm choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt, lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up

Consider this
Consider this, the hint of the century
Consider this, the slip
That brought me to my knees, failed
What if all these fantasies come
Flailing around
Now I've said too much

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream
That was just a dream

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream
Try, cry, why try
That was just a dream
Just a dream
Just a dream, dream
LIKE>>>>>



@FaustTheFighet

--❤---Lyrics---❤--
Oh life is bigger
It's bigger than you
And you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no I've said too much
I set it up
That's me in the corner
That's me in the spot-light
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no I've said too much
I haven't said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try
Every whisper, of every waking hour
I'm choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt, lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no I've said too much
I set it up
Consider this
Consider this the hint of the century
Consider this the slip
That brought me to my knees, failed
What if all these fantasies come
Flailing around
Now I've said too much
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try
But that was just a dream
That was just a dream
That's me in the corner
That's me in the spot-light
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no I've said too much
I haven't said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try
But that was just a dream
Try, cry, fly, try
That was just a dream
Just a dream
Just a dream, dream



All comments from YouTube:

@natliekla

My dad passed away yesterday and now I'm making a playlist with all the songs he loved and I remember him by. This is one of them. Thank you dad for showing me the greatest artists of all times. Loved, missed and never forgotten 🤘🔥❤️

@klaratgrs7528

Rip🙏

@joshlewis575

Dread that day, stay strong. Don't know if your dad liked r&b but "dance with my father again " by Luther vandross is a great dad song.

@mukulmehra8

Peace be upon him

@dillon0829

I’m so sorry to hear that. Btw I just saw you commented on Every Breath You take. What a coincidence

@nycsteak9597

I’ve been there. I also made a playlist of my dad’s favourite songs. It’s been a yr. I miss him everyday. Sending virtual hugs!

234 More Replies...

@chicken

no matter how many years have passed, this will remain one of my favorite songs of all time

@Joe-vc3ph

Totally agree is my favorite song ever as well

@user-cy6jm6bq9r

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊ффф😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊!11!фф😊!ф😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊!😊😊фффф😊😊ф😊😊😊😊😊😊!ффф!ф😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊ф😊!😊😊😊

@chisomnwafor1201

There's something about it

More Comments

More Versions