Hmmm...always thought the line was, "The smell of sweet, short-haired boy-woman offers, 'Pull up a seat'" which I recognize isn't grammatical, but for Stipe that wouldn't be unusual. It makes sense in a stream-of-consciousness kind of way, packing two thoughts into one sentence.
If "boy-woman" is actually intended, presumably it refers to a boyish-looking woman. Ambiguous gender seems a recurring theme for Stipe; in "Pretty Persuasion" on the same LP, "he" and "she" are used interchangeably. (Which makes you wonder whether the line "God damn your confusion" was Michael reproaching himself.)
The verses begin by describing a chance meeting: in a manner almost straightforward, compared to the extreme obscurity of most of Stipe's lyrics during this period. Though this is followed by what appear to be superbly poetic descriptions of a series of visual impressions, skipping from one to the next in cinematic jump-cut fashion (which may be a far more accurate evocation of the way we perceive the world around us, compared to more conventional narrative).
This song resists literal analysis, particularly given the jarring disconnect between the verses and chorus. Most of us have heard one or another version of the "Chinese brothers" story--and we can speculate endlessly as to what may be Stipe's metaphorical purpose(s) in employing it--but how is this in any way related to the rest of the song? Damned if I know.
Never ever imagined "Communi"...I thought maybe "calm the united rain," which is likely a mondegreen but with early R.E.M. lyrics how could you know?
@foreverdrone Extremely professional type review of another ambiguous Stipe lyric. Congratulations. The use of cinematic editing techniques is both wonderful and appropriate. I'm amazed you didn't mention Stipe's well known condition of synaesthesia in relation to his 'telling' in an unconventional narrative. You almost make Stipe into a Lynchian lyricist.
@foreverdrone Extremely professional type review of another ambiguous Stipe lyric. Congratulations. The use of cinematic editing techniques is both wonderful and appropriate. I'm amazed you didn't mention Stipe's well known condition of synaesthesia in relation to his 'telling' in an unconventional narrative. You almost make Stipe into a Lynchian lyricist.
Hmmm...always thought the line was, "The smell of sweet, short-haired boy-woman offers, 'Pull up a seat'" which I recognize isn't grammatical, but for Stipe that wouldn't be unusual. It makes sense in a stream-of-consciousness kind of way, packing two thoughts into one sentence.
If "boy-woman" is actually intended, presumably it refers to a boyish-looking woman. Ambiguous gender seems a recurring theme for Stipe; in "Pretty Persuasion" on the same LP, "he" and "she" are used interchangeably. (Which makes you wonder whether the line "God damn your confusion" was Michael reproaching himself.)
The verses begin by describing a chance meeting: in a manner almost straightforward, compared to the extreme obscurity of most of Stipe's lyrics during this period. Though this is followed by what appear to be superbly poetic descriptions of a series of visual impressions, skipping from one to the next in cinematic jump-cut fashion (which may be a far more accurate evocation of the way we perceive the world around us, compared to more conventional narrative).
This song resists literal analysis, particularly given the jarring disconnect between the verses and chorus. Most of us have heard one or another version of the "Chinese brothers" story--and we can speculate endlessly as to what may be Stipe's metaphorical purpose(s) in employing it--but how is this in any way related to the rest of the song? Damned if I know.
Never ever imagined "Communi"...I thought maybe "calm the united rain," which is likely a mondegreen but with early R.E.M. lyrics how could you know?
@foreverdrone Extremely professional type review of another ambiguous Stipe lyric. Congratulations. The use of cinematic editing techniques is both wonderful and appropriate. I'm amazed you didn't mention Stipe's well known condition of synaesthesia in relation to his 'telling' in an unconventional narrative. You almost make Stipe into a Lynchian lyricist.
@foreverdrone Extremely professional type review of another ambiguous Stipe lyric. Congratulations. The use of cinematic editing techniques is both wonderful and appropriate. I'm amazed you didn't mention Stipe's well known condition of synaesthesia in relation to his 'telling' in an unconventional narrative. You almost make Stipe into a Lynchian lyricist.