The accompanying video's director was artist Robert Longo. The director of photography was Alton Brown, who later became a Food Network chef.
In March 2005, Q magazine placed "The One I Love" at number 57 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
The song is included on R.E.M. Live.
Lyrics and meaning
The record has ironically become a popular radio dedication to loved ones, relying on a misinterpretation of its refrain, "This one goes out to the one I love," and a failure to note the contradiction within the same verse: "A simple prop to occupy my time." Stipe related in 1987 to Rolling Stone, "I've always left myself pretty open to interpretation. It's probably better that they just think it's a love song at this point." However, in an interview in the January 1988 issue of Musician magazine, he said that the song was "incredibly violent" and added, "It's very clear that it's about using people over and over again".
The song contains only three verses, the first two of which are identical; the third verse changes "a simple prop to occupy my time" to "another prop has occupied my time." The chorus consists of just the word "fire", repeated over the backing vocal of "She's coming down on her own now/Coming down on her own" (sung by Mike Mills).
Released August 1987
Format 7", cassette, CD
Recorded 1987
Genre Alternative rock
Length 3:17
Label I.R.S.
Writer(s) Berry, Buck, Mills, Stipe
Producer Scott Litt, R.E.M.
The One I Love
R.E.M. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
A simple prop to occupy my time
This one goes out to the one I love
Fire
Fire
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
A simple prop to occupy my time
This one goes out to the one I love
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
Another prop has occupied my time
This one goes out to the one I love
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
In "The One I Love" by R.E.M., the lyrics describe the singer's love for someone who they have left behind. The words "This one goes out to the one I love" are repeated throughout the song, underscoring the singer's affection for this person. However, there is also a sense of distance and detachment in the lyrics, as the subject is referred to as a "simple prop to occupy my time." The repetition of the word "fire" in the chorus adds an ominous tone, suggesting that this relationship may not have been a healthy one or may have ended in flames.
The line "simple prop to occupy my time" may suggest that the singer has been using this person as a distraction or a way to pass the time, rather than truly loving them. The repetition of the phrase "This one goes out to" may also suggest a sense of distance or disconnect, as if the singer is talking to the person indirectly or from a distance. The use of the word "prop" implies that this person may not have been seen as an equal partner in the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of "The One I Love" convey a sense of ambiguity and complexity in the singer's feelings for this person. While there is love there, there is also a sense of detachment and uncertainty, and the repetition of the word "fire" adds an ominous tone that suggests this relationship may not have been a healthy one.
Line by Line Meaning
This one goes out to the one I love
This song is dedicated to my significant other
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
I have moved on from someone else and am now with the one I love
A simple prop to occupy my time
I used to use someone else as a temporary distraction, but am now committed to the one I love
Fire
Passionate love is burning inside of me
Fire
My love is intense and all-consuming
This one goes out to the one I love
Reiterating that this song is about my current love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
Acknowledging that I have moved on from someone else
Another prop has occupied my time
I have replaced my temporary distraction with someone new
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
My intense love is causing the person I used to be with to feel jealous or envious
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
The passion in my current relationship is causing my ex to feel regret
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Reiterating the jealousy felt by my ex towards my current relationship
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
The emotions of my ex are out of my control and they must deal with them on their own
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: William Thomas Berry, Peter Lawrence Buck, Michael E. Mills, John Michael Stipe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Rog-Nature-vs-Nurture
This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
A simple prop to occupy my time
This one goes out to the one I love
Fire
Fire
This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
A simple prop to occupy my time
This one goes out to the one I love
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own)
This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
Another prop has occupied my time
This one goes out to the one I love
Fire (she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own)
Fire(she's comin' down on her own, now)
Fire (she's comin' down on her own)
@bigalwray
Grew up as a black kid in a, shall I say, impoverished neighbourhood. My Mum’s new boyfriend introduced me to REM. Never looked back.
@imnottellingyoumyname3050
What about when you're reversing your car.
@6figureceleryjfs378
Music is the best of humans.
@evelynzlon9492
I'm black too. This song is about the Mona Lisa, a "simple prop" whom Da Vinci cherished and toted with him wherever he went. The Mona Lisa is actually the image of the beast from the sea discussed in the Bible's Revelations. Da Vinci himself was one head of the beast in fact. He's a vampire who can age backwards, and he's also been known as Otto von Bismarck and Adolf Hitler. These 2 statesmen were stylistically different but their underlying bone structure was identical. And the German King at the time voluntarily conferred all of his power and authority to Prince Otto for some strange reason. This unprecedented event parallels the Biblical description of the beast's ascent to power.
Here's the catch: America was originally ordained by God as a free land for whites. For the Gentiles specifically, which is virtually inclusive of all whites. Therefore I have a neutral attitude towards the fact that my great-great-great grandpa Otto is the Devil. This song fills my heart with sentimental nostalgia although I know exactly what it's about.
@rubyfuselier2925
Dude, I'm glad you made it out. I was one of those kid too.
@evelynzlon9492
@@rubyfuselier2925 You've changed. A lot.
@petegarza2025
Ladies and gentlemen this is how it's done...What a powerful haunting song...This is why R.E.M. is in the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME...👏👏👏
@chrisvassiliou889
Hall of Fame it is for the records , it is enormity of the lyrics and music that shutters me
@petegarza2025
@@chrisvassiliou889 I personally think the RRHOF has become nothing more than a fraternity where only a select few are acceptable and I find that very annoying and disturbing...How can you leave out critically acclaimed bands like "BOSTON","BADFINGER,and"THIN LIZZY"...The RRHOF is nothing but a complete SHAM...
@peterninnim2561
Well day