Pilgrimage

for the longest time, this had been my favorite REM song. I still consider it one of their top 5 of all-time.

I once read an interview back in the 80's with the band that, when asked about this song in particular, Stipe mentioned that during the recordinbg sessions for the album "murmur" the band fell in love with the overlaying track machine (48 track) in the studio, no more so than on this song. His specific quote about the song was that, with the ability to heap layer upon layer of vocals and sounds for the song, that the intent of the song, like the music itself, was "way buried."

I'll leave it at that

I definitely hear "take our fortune" and other lyrics sites I've checked out seem to agree. Then again, with Stipe's mumbling vocal style during this period, it could be either I guess. That's kind of an aspect I like about this album, because it makes things even more open to interpetation.

People speak in tongues when possessed by the holy spirit. The pilgrimage is also associated with religion or spirituality. For the longest time I heard the lyric as "take up watching" which could be associated with watchfulness or mindfulness. It's also really interesting how the music of the song totally changes halfway through the song.

I simply love this song, especialy the intro. That really struck me the first time I heard it. Not really sure what it's about, but to me it seems like something about luck, and how people (and bands - like themselves) are around, will be around for a while but will eventually not be around anymore and be replaced by someone else who will inherit the "fortune".

I love that opening bass line. It's perfect.

freewebs.com/thejakesite

I've had this album for a couple decades, but now that I've downloaded it into the iPod, I can't stop listening to this song...

It's an unusual and indeed that sounds distinctive from their first album, hearing this sound first the first time and they're instantly recognizable, very cool :-) Good song too, btw.

Your LOVE, two headed. [not luck]

What would happen if Michael Stipe dug up the original intent of this song and shared it right now? Perhaps we would be one step closer to world peace.

My impression of pilgrimage . There’s like 3 elements @ play ; luck , love , & pilgrimage . Let’s not forget the title of the song . So , I think it’s about being lucky or unlucky in love . Let’s assume Michael is a sensitive guy who hasn’t been lucky . Let’s assume he feels deeply that’s why he’s a song writer / artist , & a very good 1 . How many of us can’t quite put feelings into words . But he emotes words . Creates a feeling with words . Your love is about as unlucky as that cow born with 2 heads, who is going to love you or that cow ?
Emotions that can arise from being that unlucky can cause hate or anger . Clipped off & distant now though . Rest assured it will not last , take a turn for the worse ? Oh how heartbreaking , losing again , so cynical . Another love gone . Michael . ( we all know ). But .. we try , we take another turn , we try for our fortune . It’s really a pilgrimage . (Ahh) pilgrimage . To someplace sacred . Love . Consider how the tone of the chorus changes as he / they sing that part . For gods sake yes Michael it is a pilgrimage , isn’t it . It’s really inspiring . To listen to the way the song, Music emotes this whole feeling . It’s why he’s genius . Yeah maybe our luck is like a 2 headed cow , but we’re on a pilgrimage , so , so what . It’s a journey . We keep taking our turn.
It’s like he’s trying to communicate intuitively . We all know how it feels , what he’s saying . During that time he was so sure he could communicate without writing lyrics on liner notes . Eh sort of . Like try putting your head in that creative mode . Writing that way . As if to write songs/ phrases that don’t make sense unless you sing them & put music to them . So effectively you almost don’t need the words anymore .