The Apologist Lyrics

Lyric discussion by schlieffen 

Cover art for The Apologist lyrics by R.E.M.

someone told me stipe wrote this about a guy who was in AA, and as part of the 12 steps he had to apologize to everyone he had hurt, but he was a real asshole about it.

@schlieffen That makes some sense. There's definitely a dark edge to the song's sound, and Stipe's apologies here come close to sounding mocking.

GC's tale is the truest one... this is a critical look at the "pro forma" act of apology that AA and recovery people are compelled to undertake...how thin and self-absolving it is...a frequent target in Stipe's crosshairs...insincerity.