Low
R.E.M. Lyrics


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Dusk is dawn is day
Where did it go?
I've been laughing
Fast and slow
Moving in a still frame
Howling at the moon
Morning found me laughing
Up and down, down
Low, low, low
Night suits me fine
And morning suits me fine
I've been so happy, happy
Way up high, high
In between
Down below
Low, low, low
Low, low, low

I skipped the part about love
It seems so silly and low
Low, low, low
Low, low, low

I said the morning
It isn't your time
Barefoot naked
I can see your lines
It doesn't bother me
If you are right
Your grass is grassy wet
Your light white is bright, light, white
Light

I skipped the part about love
It seems so shallow and low
Low, low, low
Low, low, low
You and me
We know about time
We know how things go
They come and go
They live and grow
They pass and go
And glow and glow
Up and down
High and low
Low, low, low
Low, low, low

I skipped the part about love
It seems so silly and low
I skipped the part about love
It seems so shallow and low
Low, low, low
Low, low, low

I like your hands
All full of glory
All full of glory

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of R.E.M.'s song Low are open to interpretation, but one possible explanation is that the song is about feeling detached and disconnected from the world around us. The opening lines "Dusk is dawn is day, where did it go?" suggest a feeling of confusion and disorientation, as if the singer doesn't know where they are or where they're going. The imagery of moving in a "still frame" and howling at the moon suggests a sense of being stuck and unable to move forward.


As the song continues, the singer reflects on their own happiness and how it's been both "way up high" and "low, low, low." They seem to be suggesting that there's a cyclical nature to happiness and that it's not always easy to maintain. The singer also reflects on the idea of love, but dismisses it as "silly" and "shallow," suggesting a cynicism about romantic relationships.


Later in the song, the singer takes note of someone else, perhaps a lover or a friend, and describes their appearance in detail. This could suggest that the singer is starting to reconnect with the world around them or at least become more aware of others. The final lines "I like your hands, all full of glory" could be seen as a moment of appreciation or even admiration for the person being described.


Overall, the song Low seems to be exploring themes of disconnection, cyclical emotions, and the struggle to find meaning in the world. The imagery and wordplay throughout the song create a dreamlike atmosphere that reinforces these ideas.


Line by Line Meaning

Dusk is dawn is day
Time passes quickly and it's hard to distinguish one moment from another


Where did it go?
Time moves very quickly and it's hard to keep track of it


I've been laughing
I have been happy and enjoying life


Fast and slow
Life has its ups and downs


Moving in a still frame
Life seems to be standing still, but is actually full of movement and change


Howling at the moon
Expressing my feelings and desires for something more


Morning found me laughing
My mood has stayed the same throughout the night


Up and down, down
Life has a lot of ups and downs


Low, low, low
Feeling down and not able to pick myself up


Night suits me fine
I am comfortable being alone and in the dark


And morning suits me fine
I am happy when it's light outside and the day has just begun


I've been so happy, happy
I've been genuinely enjoying life and feeling content


Way up high, high
Feeling exuberant and overjoyed


In between
Feeling neutral or indifferent


Down below
Feeling sad or depressed


I skipped the part about love
I am not interested in talking about love


It seems so silly and low
Love doesn't seem important or worth discussing


Low, low, low
Feeling sad or hopeless


I said the morning
I prefer to be awake during the day rather than the night


It isn't your time
I don't think it's your moment to shine yet


Barefoot naked
Completely vulnerable and exposed


I can see your lines
I can see through you and all your weaknesses


It doesn't bother me
I am not affected by your flaws or shortcomings


If you are right
If your beliefs or opinions are correct


Your grass is grassy wet
Your life seems to be going well and you're thriving


Your light white is bright, light, white
You shine brightly and glow with purity and goodness


You and me
We share experiences and can relate to each other


We know about time
We understand that time is fleeting and moves quickly


We know how things go
We have experienced life's ups and downs


They come and go
Things are never permanent and always changing


They live and grow
Things can evolve and transform over time


They pass and go
Things can disappear and never come back


And glow and glow
Things can shine brightly and radiate positivity


Up and down
Life is a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences


High and low
Feeling ecstatic or feeling depressed


I like your hands
I appreciate and admire your hard work and accomplishments


All full of glory
Full of pride and success




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

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

@williamtsmith9668

But can you decipher what it all means?
See her releasing a Monarch?
See the portrait, at the end, of 2 new legends?
The First and the Last.
High, and Low.
And in the middle.
Once in a great while.
A spirit. A personality.
Shows up on the scenes.
He, rarely, meets up with a woman, that is compatible with His God inspired duties.
Tell me where I'm wrong.
I'll wait.



@roiybenkel682

Dusk is dawn is day
Where did it go?
I've been laughing
Fast and slow
Moving in a still frame
Howling at the moon
Morning found me laughing
Up and down, down
Low low low
Night suits me fine
and morning suits me fine
I've been so happy
Way up high, high
In between
Down below
Low low low

I skipped the part about love
It seems so silly and low
Low low low
Low low low

I said the morning
It isn't your time
Barefoot naked
I can see your lines
It doesn't bother me
That you are right
Your grass is grassy wet
Your light white is bright
Light white light

I skipped the part about love
It seems so shallow and low
Low low low
Low low low

You and me
We know about time
We know how things go
They come and go
They live and grow
They pass and go
And glow and glow
Up and down
High and low
Low low low
Low low low

I skipped the part about love
It seems so silly and low
I skipped the part about love
It seems so shallow and low
Low low low
Low low low

I like your hands
All full of glory
All full of glory



All comments from YouTube:

@redadamearth

I imagine that it's hard to believe for kids today to understand that there was a time in America when this poetic, folk-inspired music was the #1 album in the country. It was just a different time, when intellectual and artistic pursuits held a lot more cultural sway. These days, an album like this would barely even register above the noise of nonsense the big labels spews out.

@vincerabbit

I had this album on cassette and was obsessed with it during my teenage hermit phase. This is a masterpiece

@sunshaped

David Brennan ha, same here.

@DasVolksbad

same here in east-germany. opened the gates to indie-territory...

@robertlane1197

Very very important cassette the summer of 91 ❤️

@PaulJonkerHoffren

I agree. Listened to it over and over again. I still don't get the lyrics though.

@chicken69075

Same here..when music was music..we were all blessed being a teenager growing up 1991..now I cant even do a roly poly.(forward roll)🤪

24 More Replies...

@MaquiladoraIII

Love the Stipe low voice. This guy had a crazy range.

@sameetupponi9573

@@mirror9553 lllllplllllapppppppppppppppa

@chrisryland202

Definitely a great performer 🐕

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