"Talk About the Passion" is a "hunger song", although the only direct reference in the song is to "empty mouths". Michael Stipe has stated, "Talk About the Passion" was a song about hunger but the lyrics weren't clear enough. The video, made in 1988 and featured on the compilations Pop Screen and When the Light Is Mine, made this meaning of the song more explicit by showing images of homeless people and images of a warship, ending with the caption, "in 1987 the cost of one destroyer-class warship was 910 million dollars."
The song was the first R.E.M. song to contain a foreign phrase, with the line "Combien du temps?". In French, this means "How much time?" or "For how long?" The song also includes the line "Combien reaction?", which is a blend of English and French that can be taken to mean, "How much reaction?"
The song was included on R.E.M.'s first I.R.S. Records greatest hits album, Eponymous, and released as the only single from that album in 1988.
Talk About the Passion
R.E.M. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
Combien, combien, combien de temps?
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Combien, combien, combien de temps?
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
R.E.M.'s song Talk About the Passion seems to critique people who tend to make empty prayers and talk without taking any actions. The lyrics suggest that instead of talking, people should focus on carrying the weight of the world, which is not an easy task for everyone. The phrase "empty prayer, empty mouths" could imply that people often speak without considering their words, or perhaps they are reciting prayers without fully embracing a meaningful spiritual practice. The phrase "combien reaction" could allude to people's tendency to react quickly to situations without fully understanding them or considering the consequences of their actions.
The repetition of "talk about the passion" encourages people to discuss topics that they are passionate about, suggesting that this kind of conversation is more meaningful and productive than empty words. The phrase "not everyone can carry the weight of the world" acknowledges that it is a difficult task, thus we need to choose our words and actions carefully. The song's persistent question of "combien, combien, combien de temps?" (meaning "how many, how many, how many times?") reinforces the idea that people tend to repeat empty words and actions without making any real progress.
Line by Line Meaning
Empty prayer, empty mouths combien reaction
Many people express their thoughts and opinions without any real substance or action.
Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
People often talk about their hobbies or interests without actually putting forth effort to achieve them.
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone is equipped or capable of taking on heavy responsibilities or burdens.
Talk about the passion
Focus on discussing and prioritizing the things in life that truly matter to you.
Combien, combien, combien de temps?
How much, how much, how much time does it take to make a change?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@indianasmith7402
For anyone who wants it:Empty prayer, empty mouths combien reaction
Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Empty prayer, empty mouths combien reaction
Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
Combien, combien, combien de temps?
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Combien, combien, combien de temps?
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Empty prayer, empty mouths combien reaction
Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
Combien, combien, combien de temps?
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Combien, combien, combien de temps?
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passionEmpty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Empty prayer, empty mouths combien reaction
Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion
Combien, combien, combien de temps?
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Combien, combien, combien de temps?
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
@duncanwcraig9668
Grew up in distant New Zealand. Was mad about REM. My top ten:
Fall On Me
I Believe
Wendell Gee
World Leader Pretend
King of Birds
7 Chinese brothers
Talk about the Passion
Perfect Circle
Voice of Harold
You are the Everything
@lennybruce6476
Another gem. When will people realise that this band was probably the best in the world. Look at their back catalogue. It's astonishing.
@johnarche6438
They were a concert favorite for me. High energy and they performed live the same crystal clear way they recorded. Then "Shiny Happy People" happened...
@scottstewart9584
I concur. Especially early REM.....it still fills holes in my life.
@stephaniemarx9162
@John Arché Shiny Happy, was REM's way of giving the record company what they had asked for. "Does it have to always be so dark? Can't you guys do a happy song?" REM "Ok a**holes here is your happy song"
@fiendish67
You know, you're not wrong.
@jenn1ferschonberger
I lived the back catalog and haven't purchased whatever they did after 1989. I'm glad you enjoy it too!
@joycehall4866
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world..
I love this song. Beautiful!
@steflai2339
Such great and true words
@cf2823
That line gives me goosebumps.
@La_Ru-yg8es
The opening guitar is one of the most beautifully melodic & gripping in all of rock & roll.