Michael Stipe has clarified even more lyrics from R.E.M's 'It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' that fans have consistently got wrong over the years.
The 1987 hit has been a popular point of debate with fans of the band with Stipe's delivery of the lyrics in the early days of R.E.M causing a level of confusion amongst fans, until last month.
Initially, Stipe shed some light on some of the track's lyrics, where he appeared to confirm some of the internet's most trusted lyric sources have been incorrect over the years. This was not helped by the decision by the band not to print their lyrics in the liner notes for their album with I.R.S. Records in the 1980s.
Stipe has since gone on the record to reveal the precise wording of even more lines from the track.
Writing on X, Michael Stipe clarified some lyrics: “Uh-oh, overflow, population ‘common food, but it’ll do’, save yourself, serve yourself, world serves its own needs—listen to your heart bleed, dummy with the raptured and the revered and the right, right”.
He also added: "And let it be said I’m of the lets eat grandma school of punctuation, so".
In a separate post, Stipe also shared these lyrics from the track: @millsish.bsky.social Mike Mills says “Love your posts on BlueSky, but wasn’t it “that low plane, fine, then” not “flying” , then? I remember you said it was from a roadside sign about watch out for low planes flying. But that was a long time ago".
Over the weekend, Stipe also clarified further lyrics from the song: “Feed it off an aux, speak/ Grunt no strength, the ladder start to clatter with fear fight down height/ Wire in a fire representing seven games, a government for hire and a combat site.
He later posted another line with: “Uh-oh, overflow, population ‘common food, but it’ll do’/ Save yourself, serve yourself, world serves its own needs/ Listen to your heart bleed, dummy with the raptured and the revered and the right, right,” but with a brief disclaimer: “And let it be said I’m of the lets eat grandma school of punctuation, so".
Back in March, Michael Stipe was among a list of musicians who paid tribute to poet and music star Patti Smith at a special event in Carnegie Hall. Find out more on this here.
