This song is a cover of a song by an obscure 60's band called The Clique.
Michael Stipe handed lead vocals over to usual backing man/bassist Mike Mills for the first time because Stipe wasn't as enthusiastic about recording the song as the others.
I find it to be an ironically simple closing track to such a complex and fascinating album (Lifes Rich Pageant). However, like all R.E.M. songs, even covers, the lyrics have a deeper and in this case disturbing meaning. (See next fact).
This song, which is usually thought of as an optimistic 80's single about being able to do anything, is in reality a deceptive tune that is clearly about a deranged stalker who claims he will go anywhere and do anything to find and seduce a girl he is obsessed with. He has deranged himself into believing that only he is right for her, and he is doing her a favor by obsessively hunting her down. He sees himself as the hero - Superman, willing and able to do anything and go anywhere to "help" this girl - when in reality he is quite plainly the villain.
@HyperBully Holy-wow, I believe you have massively misunderstood the narrative. It's most certainly not a "fact" that this song is about a stalker. Please consider the era in which the original was written -- this song is about unrequited love; he's pining for the object of his affection and desperately wants to prove his worth.
@HyperBully Holy-wow, I believe you have massively misunderstood the narrative. It's most certainly not a "fact" that this song is about a stalker. Please consider the era in which the original was written -- this song is about unrequited love; he's pining for the object of his affection and desperately wants to prove his worth.
A few things:
Hope I was able to clear things up.
@HyperBully Holy-wow, I believe you have massively misunderstood the narrative. It's most certainly not a "fact" that this song is about a stalker. Please consider the era in which the original was written -- this song is about unrequited love; he's pining for the object of his affection and desperately wants to prove his worth.
@HyperBully Holy-wow, I believe you have massively misunderstood the narrative. It's most certainly not a "fact" that this song is about a stalker. Please consider the era in which the original was written -- this song is about unrequited love; he's pining for the object of his affection and desperately wants to prove his worth.