Pop Song
R.E.M. Lyrics


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Hello, I saw you, I know you, I knew you
I think I can remember your name, name
Hello, I'm sorry, I lost myself
I think I thought you were someone else

Should we talk about the weather? (hi, hi, hi)
Should we talk about the government? (hi, hi, hi, hi)
Hello, how are you, I know you, I knew you
I think I can remember your name, name
Hello, I'm sorry, I lost myself
I think I thought you were someone else

Should we talk about the weather? (hi, hi, hi)
Should we talk about the government? (hi, hi, hi, hi)

Hello, my friend, are you visible today?
You know I never knew that it could be so strange, strange
Hello, I'm sorry, I lost myself
I think I thought you were someone else

Should we talk about the weather? (hi, hi, hi)
Should we talk about the government? (hi, hi, hi, hi)

Hi, hi, hi
Hi, hi, hi, hi
Hi, hi, hi
Hi, hi, hi, hi




Hi, hi, hi
Hi, hi, hi, hi

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to R.E.M.'s "Pop Song 89" seem to be a commentary on the superficiality of pop music and celebrity culture. The singer seems to be addressing an acquaintance, apologizing for mistaking them for someone else and attempting to make small talk about the weather or the government. The repetition of "Hello, I'm sorry, I lost myself, I think I thought you were someone else" could be interpreted as the singer losing their sense of self amidst the constant bombardment of media and celebrity culture, and mistaking true human connection for the empty, performative interactions often found in pop culture.


The chorus, with its repetition of "hi, hi, hi" and "should we talk about the weather/government," could be seen as a critique of the banality of small talk and the way in which it can serve as a way to avoid more meaningful topics or establish a facade of connection without truly engaging with others. Overall, the lyrics suggest a sense of alienation and disconnect amidst the overwhelming world of pop culture.


Line by Line Meaning

Hello, I saw you, I know you, I knew you
I recognize you from the past and know who you are


I think I can remember your name, name
I believe I remember your name


Hello, I'm sorry, I lost myself
I apologize for being distracted and not fully present


I think I thought you were someone else
I mistook you for another person


Should we talk about the weather? (hi, hi, hi)
Shall we make small talk about a common, comfortable topic?


Should we talk about the government? (hi, hi, hi, hi)
Shall we engage in discussion about controversial, complex issues such as politics?


Hello, my friend, are you visible today?
Hello, are you readily available to communicate and spend time together as friends?


You know I never knew that it could be so strange, strange
It's strange that our friendship has become distant and unfamiliar


Hi, hi, hi
A friendly greeting


Hi, hi, hi, hi
Another friendly greeting


Hi, hi, hi
Yet another friendly greeting


Hi, hi, hi, hi
Yet another friendly greeting




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@michaelstandridge2159

Few things more endearing to me in this world than watching Stipe dance. Always makes me laugh in a good way. He didn’t care. Always loved that about the band!

@leoguerra4516

He DIDN'T

@kurtcobainmylove2074

​@Leo Guerra What...?

@leo7leo

I emulate that every time I’m sad. Put this song up, and dance to it like Mike. The puerile Problems of daily life vanishes. ✅🙏

@brianmurphy8232

I loved how this video was aired in Canada completely uncensored. It was very iconic at the time.

@dariowestern

Very much. And thanks to Gwen Jacobs who fought for girls and women's rights to go topless in public in Canada and won her case in court for it too. Not many women do it, but still it's legal.

@desperatemohammedantheworl5833

@Dario Western Here in the UK, well England and Wales anyway, it's legal for anyone to go naked in public as no one has ever got around to passing a law which banned it. Not that many people take advantage of this.

@shock_n_Aweful

as much as I would have preferred to see titties at the time it was pretty funny that Stipe's nips were blocked

@ricardosampaio4056

No Brasil também não teve censura! Not censure!

@pirateofthecarabiners

Wrong. At the time it aired once on Much Music. The VJ who played it had no idea what he was about to see. It very quickly got little black bars added to the video to hide their breast. Which oddly enough. Made it way more sexual

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