3 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A

I Wanted To Be Wrong Lyrics

You know where I come from
You know what I feel
You're Yul Brenner Westworld
Reporting from the field.
I threw it into reverse,
Made a motion to repeal.
You kicked my legs from under me,
And tried to take the wheel.

I told you I wanted to be wrong,
But everyone is humming a song
That I don't understand.

Now I know that the sun has shined on my side of the street.
The basket of America, the weevils and the wheat.
The milk and honeyed congregation, scrubbed and apple-cheeked
Salute Apollo 13 from the rattle jewelry seats.

Mythology's seductive and it turned a trick on me
That I have just begun to understand.

I told you I wanted to be wrong,
But everyone is humming a song
That I don't understand.

The rodeo is staged, gold circle goat-ropers and clowns.
A rumble in the third act, tie 'em up and burn 'em down.
we're armed to the teeth, born a little breech;
Blue-plate special analysts, cells and SUV's

We can't approach the Allies 'cause they Seem a little peeved
And speak a language we don't understand.

I told you I wanted to be wrong
But everyone is humming a song
That I don't understand.

[prop up The Omega Man, we're primed for victory,
God gave us the upper hand, there's honor among thieves.
Temper it with arrogance, a dash of sad conceit.
The top's down on the T-Bird, we're the children of the free]

Storm into the boardroom of the conquering elite.
Did you recognize the madman who is shouting in the streets?
Destroy the things that I don't understand
Destroy the things that I don't understand.
3 Meanings

Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.

Add your thoughts...
Cover art for I Wanted To Be Wrong lyrics by R.E.M.

This is sort of a depressing take on the American mindset. Especially the end. It's saying the madman, far from being a lonely person in the street, is an embodiment of much of our culture's attitude. Americans, who seem to have it all, are afraid and insecure.

Cover art for I Wanted To Be Wrong lyrics by R.E.M.

Did anyone else catch the reference to the Nietzsche parable The Madman?

Cover art for I Wanted To Be Wrong lyrics by R.E.M.

Did anyone else catch the reference to the Nietzsche parable The Madman?