The One I Love Lyrics

Lyric discussion by mirgang 

Cover art for The One I Love lyrics by R.E.M.

When I was 17 I fell in love with an 18 YO women, but did not have the maturity to initiate or maintain a romantic relationship with her. I knew the situation for what it was, but continued to pine for her anyway.

This song is about an unrequited love. The singer is in love with a women but does not yet have the maturity to begin or maintain a relationship with her. He may even be self aware of the fact that although he desires this woman, he will have to wait for his own personal growth in order to love either her or anyone for that matter. His obsession with her was an emotional outlet until he has the maturity for a real relationship, making the women a simple prop to occupy his time until he has the emotional maturity for a real relationship.

Because people are always moving and evolving, the singer eventually moved on and so did the object of his affection. Even though he has moved on or the woman has moved on in his life, he is honoring or respecting her by dedicating this song to her memory,

Song Meaning