I Took Your Name

The song is about how we create a false self through the metaphorical clothes we wear (the clothes you wanted), the business endeavours we accomplish (wrote the sales pitch) , and our life's legacy (living will). On the surface, this facade makes us believe we are happy (smiled your face). The failure to reach existential self fulfilment in our lives comes from the fact that we were never truly ourselves. The false self we presented constantly in our lives (albatross - reference to rhyme of the ancient mariner) is to blame.

This song is relatively straightforward. It's about the eerie feeling of having one's identity stolen. The song was written before identity theft became a federal crime in the US, thus the "who's to blame" part - people got away with minor offenses and could taunt the victim before it became a federal offense.

Just like you say, stoolhardy, this song made me think of identity theft, and I had this little storyline in my mind like there was this guy who worked in the telephone society and "took your name" by using his skills and his work position, maybe to harass you. Great song.

this song is clearly about being Iggy Pop ^^ seriously, anyone know the reason for the Iggy reference? something like this happened to him? did Michael just use his name like he could have used any name? did Iggy say something about it?

Only thing I can think of close to an Iggy Pop reference was in the Road Movie concert (somthn' like 1996) where Michael Stipe just shows off his abs during the lines "I don't wanna be Iggy Pop but if that's what it takes"...as for weather he did it or wrote these lines cuz that's one of their similarities remains anyone's guess. Not much of an explanation I know...but hey, thats a start! :)

Huh?

The song is about a relationship breakup. First of all - 99 % of all songs are about love, and this is one of them:

"I wore the clothes you wanted I took your name If there is some confusion, who's to blame?

I signed your living will I smiled your face I'm ready to close the book on NASA in outer space"

The guy did exactly what the partner asked for, but it wasn't enough. He called the partners bluff, he would have done anything. The reference to Iggy Pop is just a reference - but a cool one of cause.

If there is some confusion, who's to blame? the partner of course. Someone who did everything asked for in a relationship but got fed up, could do anything more.