Hello and welcome to the Lyric Podcast, in this episode we explore the meaning and impact of a song that deals with apocalyptic themes, we’re going to talk about one of the most iconic songs of this genre: “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M.
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This song was released in 1987 as the second single from their album Document, and it reached number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 39 on the UK Singles Chart. It has since become a staple of pop culture, appearing in movies, TV shows, commercials, and even political rallies. It has also gained new relevance in recent years, as many people have felt that the world is indeed ending, or at least changing drastically, due to various crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, social unrest, and political polarization.
But what is this song really about? How did R.E.M. come up with such a catchy and chaotic tune? And why do people still resonate with it even in 2024? Let’s find out.
The song is known for its fast-paced, stream-of-consciousness lyrics, which reference a wide range of topics, including natural disasters, historical figures, pop culture, personal anecdotes, and random objects. The lyrics are mostly nonsensical, but they create a sense of urgency, confusion, and absurdity that reflects the mood of the song and the times.
According to the lead singer and songwriter Michael Stipe, the lyrics were inspired by a dream he had, in which he was at a party where everyone had the initials L.B., such as Leonard Bernstein, Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce, and Lester Bangs. He also said that he was influenced by the things he saw when he was flipping TV channels, and by the style of Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues”.
The song is divided into four verses, each followed by a chorus that repeats the title phrase. The verses are mostly composed of four lines, each starting with the word “that’s”, followed by a list of items or events. The chorus is also composed of four lines, each ending with the word “fine”. The song ends with a coda that repeats the chorus twice, followed by a final line that says “it’s time I had some time alone”.
The song’s structure is simple, but its delivery is complex. The vocals are rapid and almost unintelligible, requiring the listener to pay close attention or look up the lyrics to catch the references. The music is also energetic and upbeat, featuring a prominent drum roll, a jangly guitar riff, and a catchy bass line. The contrast between the music and the lyrics creates a paradoxical effect, as the song sounds fun and optimistic, but the words suggest doom and gloom.
The song’s video, directed by James Herbert, is also a collage of images, some related to the lyrics and some not. The video features the band members performing the song in a cluttered room, intercut with footage of various scenes, such as a boy running with a toy airplane, a man jumping off a bridge, a woman dancing in a tutu, a car crash, a snake, a birthday cake, and a globe. The video adds to the surreal and chaotic atmosphere of the song, and also hints at some of the themes and messages behind it.
One of the themes of the song is the overload of information and stimulation that modern society faces, especially with the advent of mass media and technology. The song reflects the feeling of being bombarded by news, images, facts, opinions, and trivia, without being able to process or understand them. The song also suggests that this overload can lead to apathy, detachment, and alienation, as the singer feels fine despite the end of the world.
Another theme of the song is the critique of the political and social conditions of the late 1980s, which were marked by the Cold War, the AIDS crisis, the rise of conservatism, and the decline of the counterculture. The song references some of the events and figures that shaped this era, such as the Chornobyl disaster, the Iran-Contra affair, Ronald Reagan, and the televangelist scandals. The song also expresses a distrust of authority, a disillusionment with the status quo, and a desire for change.
A third theme of the song is the celebration of individuality, creativity, and resilience in the face of adversity. The song showcases the band’s unique and eclectic style, which blended elements of rock, folk, punk, and pop. The song also praises some of the artists and thinkers who inspired them, such as Leonard Bernstein, Lenny Bruce, Lester Bangs, and Bob Dylan. The song also implies that the singer has a positive outlook on life, despite the chaos and uncertainty around him. He feels fine because he has his own identity, his own voice, and his own way of coping with the world.
These themes are still relevant today, as we face new challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. The song resonates with people who feel overwhelmed by the rapid changes and conflicts that affect our planet, our society, our culture, and our selves. The song also inspires people who seek to express themselves, to question the norms, and to make a difference in the world. The song is a reminder that the end of the world as we know it can also be the beginning of a new world as we want it.
That’s all for today’s episode of the End of the World Podcast. I hope you enjoyed this analysis of “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please leave them below or contact me And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favourite platform. Thank you for listening, and until next time, keep feeling fine.
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