Bang And Blame

My knowledge of the song is that Stipe at one time had a thing going with River Phoenix, who he cared a great deal about, and this song is about him. Publically, Phoenix was straight, he had a string of steady girlfriends but apparently had quite a few run ins with guys and was confused about his sexuality having been molested as a child. If this is indeed the case the lyrics would point towards Phoenix battling with his sexality- screwing Stipe, then getting annoyed at him for 'letting' it happen and paranoid that his 'secret life' would be outted by one of his other conquests or Stipe himself. The opening verse sounds like Stipe perhaps attempting to end the affair due to Phoenix not being sure about what he wants.
It was widely rumoured inside Hollywood at the time that Phoenix was gay but was never publically agknowleged. Stipe appears to make reference to his subjects double life with; "The whole world hinges on your swings Your secret life of indiscreet discretions"
And perhaps referenceing Phoenix voicing his worry about his various encounters hitting the papers.. Something he can relate to, being a celebrity himself; "You�ve got a little worry, I know it all too well, I�ve got your number, But so does every kiss-and-tell Who dares to cross your threshold, Or happens on your way, Stop laying blame. You know that�s not my thing." The song ends with Stipe referencing Phoenixs death "You.. let go on me"

love the bass in this song

I'd say it's about a bad relationship, someone trying to make you feel guilty for leaving. I always thought bang meant fuck, not saying I'm right, just my take on it.

To me it sounds like his girlfriend or whoever just wants to have sex (she's banging him), but she's also blaming him for something. like maybe their relationship sucks except for the sex and she's saying that it's his fault, but he thinks it's really hers. also it sounds like maybe she could actually be a prostitute because of the part "i have your number...". Overall, i guess he's disillusioned with their relationship because it's just carnal, just banging.

Why hasn't anyone left a message. This song is great. It's about placing blame and not accepting it. Just another great song from a great band

I think its about a man fighting back at someone, who is always blaming them, and has previously gotten away with it, but not anymore. The guy is basically telling her to stop bitchin'!

This song is about child sexual abuse.

It may be about any sort of illicit activity and the fallout it leaves...with child abuse, more than one party bangs and another party blames. With cheating, a spouse cheats and the other is afflicted with violence or emotional torment or both. Their songs are almost too hard to analyze by one's self.

Let Me In is the song off "Monster" that is about Kurt Cobain, not this one.

I wouldn't be quick to say this song is about sex and relationships. Stipe isn't that trivial.

I can imagine how this relates to Kurt Cobain. However he is also reffering to someone that is not Cobain, particularly in the chorus, but I can't tell who.

The last few lines could possibly have been written in Cobain's perspective.

The grunge distortion of the guitar in this song could also be a refference to Nirvana. I haven't heard every song on this album though so it could be like that throughout.