I know Stipe said at the gigs from round this era that it's to do with Katrina and how he's sick of politicians telling him what to fear when he should be the one to decide.
However, I've always viewed this song as one which puts aside politicial beliefs to focus on the disaster and the help dished out to save people.
"If the storm doesn't kill me, the government will, I've got to get that out of my head" is like someone who thinks the government is conspiring against them but decides to leave it be when they see what is being done for them in terms of aid. Sort of 'maybe the government isn't that bad after all'.
"And so there are claims forgiven, and so there are things that are gone" - first line seems to put aside differences in political opinion, second line seems to acknowledge Hurricane Katrina has destroyed the landscape.
Also, "and some things fall to the wayside" could have that same political bent to them.
So it's not necessarily a 'I forgive the government' song but perhaps a song where political opinion is put to the side and how people can come together in times of harrowing disaster like this. After that it's back to the different ideals clashing.
I know Stipe said at the gigs from round this era that it's to do with Katrina and how he's sick of politicians telling him what to fear when he should be the one to decide.
However, I've always viewed this song as one which puts aside politicial beliefs to focus on the disaster and the help dished out to save people.
"If the storm doesn't kill me, the government will, I've got to get that out of my head" is like someone who thinks the government is conspiring against them but decides to leave it be when they see what is being done for them in terms of aid. Sort of 'maybe the government isn't that bad after all'.
"And so there are claims forgiven, and so there are things that are gone" - first line seems to put aside differences in political opinion, second line seems to acknowledge Hurricane Katrina has destroyed the landscape.
Also, "and some things fall to the wayside" could have that same political bent to them.
So it's not necessarily a 'I forgive the government' song but perhaps a song where political opinion is put to the side and how people can come together in times of harrowing disaster like this. After that it's back to the different ideals clashing.
Simon :)