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
Fire
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
Fire
Fire
Fire
In R.E.M.'s "One I Love," the lyrics convey the sentiment of yearning for a lost love. The repetition of "this one goes out to the one I love" is a direct address to the missing lover, indicating that the singer is no longer with this person. They're using an object or person as a "simple prop" to fill the void left by their lost love, but it's clear that their heart remains with the person they've left behind. The use of "fire" throughout the song suggests a sense of passion and desire that the singer is unable to quell.
The chorus of the song is powerful in its simplicity, echoing the refrain of many classic love songs. The message of the song seems to be bittersweet; while the singer is no longer with the person they love, they can't help but think of them constantly. The object or person they're using as a "simple prop" could be anything, representing a desperate attempt to fill the emptiness they feel without their former partner.
Overall, "One I Love" is a poignant lament for a lost love, conveyed through simple but effective lyrics that capture the feeling of longing and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
This one goes out to the one I love
I dedicate this song to the person I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind
I am singing this song to the person I have left behind
A simple prop to occupy my time
I keep myself busy with simple things to distract myself from thoughts of the person I miss
Fire
A passionate feeling that I cannot control
This one goes out to the one I love
Once again, I dedicate this song to the person I love
Another prop has occupied my time
I am finding other things to occupy myself, but I still can't stop thinking about the person I miss
Fire
The passion and intensity of my emotions
Fire
My love and longing for this person burns like a fire
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL MILLS, BILL BERRY, PETER BUCK, 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