Episode 8 Exploring Apocalyptic Lyrics: End Of The World by REM Lyric Podcast

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.This podcast is sponsored by EA Locksmith: A reliable and affordable top-rated Just In Case! mobile locksmith service in the Waterloo region! You gotta call EA!if its lockedand youre stuckno matter what they sayyou gotta call EACall 5197227776 for an estimate today! Again 519-722-7776







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.