Michael Stipe has finally clarified some of his famously cryptic lyrics from R.E.M.’s 1987 classic hit, “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine),” a song long plagued by misunderstanding due to the band’s choice not to print lyrics in their album liner notes. Inspired by a Simpsons meme, Stipe used social media to explain several previously misheard lines, such as “Left of west and coming in a hurry with the Furies breathing down your neck,” and other verses filled with vivid, stream-of-consciousness imagery. Bandmate Mike Mills even joined in by sharing his memories of what inspired one set of Stipe’s lyrics. “I remember you said it was from a roadside sign about watch out for low planes flying,” Mills wrote, causing Stipe to reply, “I’m doing my best. Thx Mike!” Stipe then humorously advised fans trying to sing along with early R.E.M. songs to “just form vowels and syllables, and mean it.” (Rolling Stone)
