Unveiled: Portion of Lyrics for REM's It's The End Of The World As We Know It

In the world of alternative rock, few songs have left an indelible mark quite like REM's "It's The End Of The World As We Know It." The lead single from their 1987 Document album, the track remains a cultural touchstone, with its cryptic lyrics sparking intrigue and debate among fans for decades.

Over the years, Peter Buck, a founding member of REM, has collaborated with a diverse range of artists. This includes stints with the alt-rock supergroup Filthy Friends, which features Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) and Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), and ex-Auteurs singer Luke Haines.

One of the most enigmatic aspects of "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" is the meaning behind its lyrics. References to Lenny Bruce, Leonid Brezhnev, and Leonard Bernstein are scattered throughout, adding to the song's mystique. However, it wasn't until the following album, Green, that the lyrics were printed on the album sleeves.

The song's cryptic nature has been a source of fascination for fans, with some lyrics remaining unclear until recently. In 2021, Michael Stipe, the lead singer of REM, clarified two long-standing lyrics from the song. The clarification came after a Simpsons meme and a social media post on Bluesky by Stipe himself. The lyrics in question were 'Left of west and coming in a hurry with the Furies breathing down your neck' and 'Team by team reporters, baffled, trumped, tethered, cropped, Look at that low playing, fine, then.'

REM's connection with The Simpsons is not a fleeting one. The band appeared on the show in the 2001 episode Homer The Moe, performing "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)." This appearance was facilitated by series creator Matt Groening, who personally invited the band to appear on the show.

Despite numerous teases, Michael Stipe has yet to release a solo album, instead focusing on odd single tracks since REM's split in 2008. Peter Buck, on the other hand, has ventured into solo work, releasing three albums and collaborative efforts.

The original video for "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" is slightly baffling, adding to the song's enigmatic allure. The video features Stipe wandering through a deserted city, with Buck and the rest of the band playing in a schoolyard.

As REM's music continues to resonate with fans, the mystery surrounding "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" remains a captivating part of the band's legacy. Despite the passage of fourteen years since the band's split, the song's impact and intrigue show no signs of waning.