I was around Athens then and saw R.E.M. a lot. At that time, Stipe's vocals were more like an instrument (maybe an oboe) used to add color, tone, and emotion to the songs, not so much to convey meaning. That said, they were very much inspired by punk and the DIY ethos of the time and really knew how to shake the rafters. I think I prefer the HibTone version, but love them both. Personally I never viewed RFE as addressing the government propaganda station, or international relations or immigrants, but as a call to arms to get off your ass and do something. In that light, I always (still do) hear the lyrics as, "decide yourself" and "calling out in the trenches." On stage Stipe certainly messaged around with the words, in this and many other songs. Ah, the good old days.
Anyway, for me, this is a call to arms.
Agree saw them '80 @Tyrone's OC (off campus) near the tracks, burned to the ground in 80 or 81. Only 3 words I could understand during the entire show was Radio Free Europe. During their break Stipe made a pass at me at the urinals. No thanx...
Agree saw them '80 @Tyrone's OC (off campus) near the tracks, burned to the ground in 80 or 81. Only 3 words I could understand during the entire show was Radio Free Europe. During their break Stipe made a pass at me at the urinals. No thanx...
I was around Athens then and saw R.E.M. a lot. At that time, Stipe's vocals were more like an instrument (maybe an oboe) used to add color, tone, and emotion to the songs, not so much to convey meaning. That said, they were very much inspired by punk and the DIY ethos of the time and really knew how to shake the rafters. I think I prefer the HibTone version, but love them both. Personally I never viewed RFE as addressing the government propaganda station, or international relations or immigrants, but as a call to arms to get off your ass and do something. In that light, I always (still do) hear the lyrics as, "decide yourself" and "calling out in the trenches." On stage Stipe certainly messaged around with the words, in this and many other songs. Ah, the good old days. Anyway, for me, this is a call to arms.
Agree saw them '80 @Tyrone's OC (off campus) near the tracks, burned to the ground in 80 or 81. Only 3 words I could understand during the entire show was Radio Free Europe. During their break Stipe made a pass at me at the urinals. No thanx...
Agree saw them '80 @Tyrone's OC (off campus) near the tracks, burned to the ground in 80 or 81. Only 3 words I could understand during the entire show was Radio Free Europe. During their break Stipe made a pass at me at the urinals. No thanx...