Diminished Lyrics

Lyric discussion by the_associate 

Cover art for Diminished lyrics by R.E.M.

Desperate sad repression.

"I didn't hurt the one I love" Deny it all!

A court case of a murdered lover used as an analogy for the feelings of persecution and denial created by irrevocably hurting the one you love.

I agree most with the_associate's comment if any. To me this is clearly not about a real killing - rather, about the type of breakup of a friendship or romantic relationship where the other person is so easily, and genuinely, wounded that you feel responsible - like you did something terribly wrong, even when you didn't.

But then, I listened to this album over and over when I was in such a situation. A friend of mine alienated everyone in our social circle; I was one of the last to be "driven off" - but she didn't do it...