Michael Stipe Clarifies Misunderstood Lyrics to R.E.M.’s ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It’

UltimateClassicRock ^ | September 2, 2025 | Michael Gallucci

[RitchieAprile]

Drugs make the songwriters believe that they are master wordsmiths instead of the masters of gibberish that they in fact are..

[Bob434]

Huh, now that you mention it, it does sound similar. Never made the connection before.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I’m not a big R.E.M. fan...but I never had a problem hearing or understanding the lyrics.

[dangus]

Other than both having a lot of lyrics, I can’t imagine anything they have in common. Including the fact that Joel’s lyrics are easy to understand and make for very clear references.

[dangus]

Other than both having a lot of lyrics, I can’t imagine anything they have in common. Including the fact that Joel’s lyrics are easy to understand and make for very clear references.

[Hatteras]

Well, that's just silly.

Signed,...

[Flavious_Maximus]

In contrast to End of the World song by Miley Cyrus.

For the leftwing dingbats (like Cyrus) it’s the end of the world because Donald Trump has been elected POTUS.

And I FEEL FINE!

[Tommy Revolts]

Austin City Limits March 13, 2008.

One of their best performances.

R.E.M Austin City Limits 2008 Full Concert

[ALASKA]

For years I misunderstood the chorus to “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite”, from my car radio, anyway.

I thought Stipe was singing “Calling Jamaica......calling Jamaica.....” When in fact, it is “Call me when you try to wake her up.....”

[dfwgator]

I liked REM a lot more when I didn’t understand the lyrics.

Love “Driver 8”.