R.E.M. was on Austin City Limits the other night. I don't know if it was a re-run or not as I'm not seeing it on that page at the moment. It got me listening to them and then thinking about this song.
Yeah, I know- Michael Stipe has apparently gone on record saying that this song isn't about religion per se. And, Wikipedia's article about this song says that "The phrase 'losing my religion' is an expression from the southern region of the United States that means losing one's temper or civility". I don't care. The thing about art is, once the art is created, it takes on a life of its own and I always did find this song and its lyrics to be able to be interpreted as about leaving one's religion. In fact, when I was a believer, I couldn't fully enjoy this song because I found it threatening and now I find this song comforting and cathartic.
Losing My Religion by R.E.M. Oh, life is bigger It's bigger than you And you are not me The lengths that I will go to The distance in your eyes Oh no I've said too much I set it up That's me in the corner That's me in the spotlight Losing my religion Trying to keep up with you And I don't know if I can do it Oh no I've said too much I haven't said enough I thought that I heard you laughing I thought that I heard you sing I think I thought I saw you try Every whisper Of every waking hour I'm Choosing my confessions Trying to keep an eye on you Like a hurt, lost and blinded fool Oh no I've said too much I set it up Consider this Consider this The hint of the century Consider this The slip that brought me To my knees failed What if all these fantasies Come flailing around Now I've said too much I thought that I heard you laughing I thought that I heard you sing I think I thought I saw you try But that was just a dream That was just a dream That's me in the corner That's me in the spotlight Losing my religion Trying to keep up with you And I don't know if I can do it Oh no I've said too much I haven't said enough I thought that I heard you laughing I thought that I heard you sing I think I thought I saw you try But that was just a dream That was just a dream |
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