This is a typical REM song about privilege. The northern hemisphere of the world is much, much more affluent than the south. The western world is more developed than the east. In fact, when an eastern nation becomes developed they are said to have become "westernized."
The point of the song, however, isn't just that some people are better off than others. It's about how people born to affluent societies take their privilege for granted. REM is asking their listeners to appreciate why they have what they have, and to do something about it.
The irony is that despite this high mindedness, Michael Stipe was recently identified by a waitress at Babbo as a terrible tipper.
This is a typical REM song about privilege. The northern hemisphere of the world is much, much more affluent than the south. The western world is more developed than the east. In fact, when an eastern nation becomes developed they are said to have become "westernized."
The point of the song, however, isn't just that some people are better off than others. It's about how people born to affluent societies take their privilege for granted. REM is asking their listeners to appreciate why they have what they have, and to do something about it.
The irony is that despite this high mindedness, Michael Stipe was recently identified by a waitress at Babbo as a terrible tipper.