The End Of The World
R.E.M. & Eddie Vedder Lyrics
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Birds and snakes, and aeroplanes
And Lenny Bruce is not afraid
Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn
World serves its own needs
Don't mis-serve your own needs
Speed it up a notch, speed, grunt, no, strength
With a fear of height, down, height
Wire in a fire, represent the seven games
And a government for hire and a combat site
Left her, wasn't coming in a hurry
With the Furies breathing down your neck
Team by team, reporters baffled, trumped, tethered, cropped
Look at that low plane, fine, then
Uh oh, overflow, population, common group
But it'll do, save yourself, serve yourself
World serves its own needs, listen to your heart bleed
Tell me with the Rapture and the reverent in the right, right
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam fight, bright light
Feeling pretty psyched
It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine
Six o'clock, T.V. hour, don't get caught in foreign tower
Slash and burn, return, listen to yourself churn
Lock him in uniform, book burning, bloodletting
Every motive escalate, automotive incinerate
Light a candle, light a motive, step down, step down
Watch your heel crush, crush, uh oh
This means no fear, cavalier, renegade and steering clear
A tournament, a tournament, a tournament of lies
Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives and I decline
It's the end of the world as we know it (I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)
I feel fine (I feel fine)
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)
The other night I drifted nice continental drift divide
Mountains sit in a line, Leonard Bernstein
Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce and Lester Bangs
Birthday party, cheesecake, jellybean, boom
You symbiotic, patriotic, slam but neck, right, right
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)
The song "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by R.E.M. and Thom Yorke is a fast-paced, stream-of-consciousness reflection on the uncertainty and chaos of life in the late 20th century. The lyrics reference a variety of images and concepts, including natural disasters, political corruption, and cultural icons, all of which contribute to a sense of impending doom. The phrase "It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine" serves as a kind of ironic refrain, suggesting that even in the face of overwhelming change and turmoil, there remains a glimmer of hope and possibility.
The imagery in the song reflects the social and political climate of the late 1980s, a time marked by global unrest, environmental concerns, and the growing tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. The references to Lenny Bruce, Leonard Bernstein, Leonid Brezhnev, and Lester Bangs help to underscore the sense of cultural and intellectual dislocation and upheaval.
Overall, "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that captures the mood of its time and continues to resonate with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
That's great, it starts with an earthquake
This is an important moment, and it's happening suddenly and violently.
Birds and snakes, and aeroplanes
The natural world and technology are all affected.
And Lenny Bruce is not afraid
Even in chaotic times, people can still have fearlessness and courage.
Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn
Amidst the chaos, tune into your own inner turmoil and thoughts.
World serves its own needs
Individuals and society prioritize their own interests and survival.
Don't mis-serve your own needs
Don't harm yourself or others in the pursuit of your own interests.
Speed it up a notch, speed, grunt, no, strength
React with urgency and force, don't hold back.
The ladder starts to clatter
The established order is breaking down and becoming unstable.
With a fear of height, down, height
People are afraid of both falling (losing power) and rising higher (gaining power).
Wire in a fire, represent the seven games
The intensity of the situation is evocative of a high-stakes game with multiple players.
And a government for hire and a combat site
It's suggested that those in power may be corrupt and involved in violent conflict.
Left her, wasn't coming in a hurry
Someone or something was abandoned and isn't returning anytime soon.
With the Furies breathing down your neck
A sense of impending danger or punishment looms over you.
Team by team, reporters baffled, trumped, tethered, cropped
Even the media is struggling to make sense of what's happening.
Look at that low plane, fine, then
There is a potential threat or danger that may seem insignificant at first glance, but should not be ignored.
Uh oh, overflow, population, common group
The growing and crowded population is causing problems that affect everyone.
But it'll do, save yourself, serve yourself
In times of crisis, people may prioritize their own survival over helping others.
World serves its own needs, listen to your heart bleed
Society as a whole may be indifferent to the suffering of individuals.
Tell me with the Rapture and the reverent in the right, right
Even religious beliefs and practices may be affected and strained by the chaos.
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam fight, bright light
Strong emotions and fervent beliefs are involved in conflicts and struggles for power.
Feeling pretty psyched
Despite the chaos, some people may feel energized and excited by the events taking place.
It's the end of the world as we know it
This is a significant and transformative moment that will change everything.
and I feel fine
Despite the chaos, the singer is feeling positive or accepting of the situation.
Six o'clock, T.V. hour, don't get caught in foreign tower
Be careful and don't get trapped or involved in dangerous situations or places.
Slash and burn, return, listen to yourself churn
The destructive patterns of the past are repeating and should be recognized and stopped.
Lock him in uniform, book burning, bloodletting
Oppressive and destructive forces are at work that involve censorship and violence.
Every motive escalate, automotive incinerate
The situation is escalating and becoming increasingly destructive.
Light a candle, light a motive, step down, step down
People may turn to rituals or symbolic actions in times of crisis, but may also need to relinquish power to deescalate the situation.
Watch your heel crush, crush, uh oh
The danger or damage can come from unexpected sources or actions.
This means no fear, cavalier, renegade and steering clear
There is a need for courage and boldness, and to avoid those who threaten or stifle individual freedom.
A tournament, a tournament, a tournament of lies
The conflicts and struggles for power are based on falsehoods and deception.
Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives and I decline
Despite the chaos and problems, the artist is resistant to conform to established solutions or alternatives.
The other night I drifted nice continental drift divide
The artist's thoughts have moved and shifted like the continents themselves.
Mountains sit in a line, Leonard Bernstein
Even the majestic and stable forces of nature can be subject to change and turbulence.
Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce and Lester Bangs
Important or influential individuals in history or culture are being mentioned, but also they are not immune to the pressures of chaos and change.
Birthday party, cheesecake, jellybean, boom
The mundane and ordinary aspects of life can be interrupted or overshadowed by sudden changes and events.
You symbiotic, patriotic, slam but neck, right, right
The conflicts and struggles for power involve complex and interdependent relationships between individuals and society.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Michael Stipe, Michael E. Mills, Peter Lawrence Buck, William Thomas Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chuck Conner
The sheer amount of talent on this stage is staggering.
Roger Benoit
It's been 20 years since this happened... REM retired 10 years ago. And their message is more important now than it has ever been.
Eric Kuhn
Totalement d'accord avec toi Roger Benoit. Kenavo
Trident Stabilo
No wonder. History always repeats itself.
steffe689
eddie vedder one of the best vocals EVER!
Jon Focker
REM needs to come out with a huge album and surprise the world.
swalt13
That almost made me cry just thinking about it. An REM album and tour to help fund the election of a government that is beholden to the people. Not Nationalist/right-wing/racist scum, Russia, Pharma, Science Deniers, fake Religions, etc.
That is my dream. That would truly be The End of the (or this shit hole) World as We Know It! and then, I might be fine. Or at least closer to it!
Smallpox
They put out enough crappy albums
Resty Mervin Ponio
REM retired in 2010. If you sign a petition for them make their final album, and probably a concert to promote their final album.
Fedexperience
Dos de los mejores letristas de sus generaciones