There is a website where Michael Stipe responds to questions about the meaning of his songs popsongs.wordpress.com/category/ask-michael-stipe/. He was asked, "What does 'drifting off
to sleep with your teeth in your mouth' refer to? [You Are the
Everything] Does the subject of the song wear dentures? It confounds
my interpretation of the rest of the song."
And Michael replied:
"I really hate that line, but what it really is, and I’m happy to shout this, is when you just wake up and your body is in that paralyzed state and you’re not sure you’re awake; and grinding your teeth together or biting down hard is the first acknowledgment that this is real life, not a dream. That’s what that line is, it just came off really really awkward. I’ve always regretted that line in that song, so thanks for the chance to speak out about it"
This is depressing because I always thought it was about an older person forgetting to take out their dentures because they're just that tired, and their spouse thought it was cute/funny. ...... I think I'll just continue to believe this, but thanks anyway Michael Stipe lolol.
This is depressing because I always thought it was about an older person forgetting to take out their dentures because they're just that tired, and their spouse thought it was cute/funny. ...... I think I'll just continue to believe this, but thanks anyway Michael Stipe lolol.
@thenetlinky Stipe is poet through and through. I used to wonder the same thing about the old person with dentures etc, but really knew all along he was singing about disassociative sensationa people can feel at odd moments, particularly during waking or falling asleep. I think the reference to the season is Spring is significant as it is the time of maximum change. The goes along with the car/travelling imagery, contrasting with the stillness and stars. It's magic stuff and one of my favourite REM tunes.
@thenetlinky Stipe is poet through and through. I used to wonder the same thing about the old person with dentures etc, but really knew all along he was singing about disassociative sensationa people can feel at odd moments, particularly during waking or falling asleep. I think the reference to the season is Spring is significant as it is the time of maximum change. The goes along with the car/travelling imagery, contrasting with the stillness and stars. It's magic stuff and one of my favourite REM tunes.
There is a website where Michael Stipe responds to questions about the meaning of his songs popsongs.wordpress.com/category/ask-michael-stipe/. He was asked, "What does 'drifting off to sleep with your teeth in your mouth' refer to? [You Are the Everything] Does the subject of the song wear dentures? It confounds my interpretation of the rest of the song."
And Michael replied: "I really hate that line, but what it really is, and I’m happy to shout this, is when you just wake up and your body is in that paralyzed state and you’re not sure you’re awake; and grinding your teeth together or biting down hard is the first acknowledgment that this is real life, not a dream. That’s what that line is, it just came off really really awkward. I’ve always regretted that line in that song, so thanks for the chance to speak out about it"
thenetlinky, I suppose my offering is redundant then. I'll check out the link you gave.
thenetlinky, I suppose my offering is redundant then. I'll check out the link you gave.
This is depressing because I always thought it was about an older person forgetting to take out their dentures because they're just that tired, and their spouse thought it was cute/funny. ...... I think I'll just continue to believe this, but thanks anyway Michael Stipe lolol.
This is depressing because I always thought it was about an older person forgetting to take out their dentures because they're just that tired, and their spouse thought it was cute/funny. ...... I think I'll just continue to believe this, but thanks anyway Michael Stipe lolol.
@thenetlinky Stipe is poet through and through. I used to wonder the same thing about the old person with dentures etc, but really knew all along he was singing about disassociative sensationa people can feel at odd moments, particularly during waking or falling asleep. I think the reference to the season is Spring is significant as it is the time of maximum change. The goes along with the car/travelling imagery, contrasting with the stillness and stars. It's magic stuff and one of my favourite REM tunes.
@thenetlinky Stipe is poet through and through. I used to wonder the same thing about the old person with dentures etc, but really knew all along he was singing about disassociative sensationa people can feel at odd moments, particularly during waking or falling asleep. I think the reference to the season is Spring is significant as it is the time of maximum change. The goes along with the car/travelling imagery, contrasting with the stillness and stars. It's magic stuff and one of my favourite REM tunes.