Try Not To Breathe Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Saffronsugar 

Cover art for Try Not To Breathe lyrics by R.E.M.

I think this song is just about dying. Accepting death, being ready to die. It’s not about violently taking one’s life. It’s not about dying in agony at or with any anger or rage. It’s just about letting go. Wanting to let go wanting to just not breathe and pass away. They’ve seen enough they’ve seen it all. There is a gentle nautical sound to the music as though the person spent years travelling many years at sea. They’re just done and it’s okay and they want to be remembered. “Flying over my grave“ is a lot like the saying “somebody walked over my grave“ that’s something people say when they get the shivers. The shivers are referred to many times in this song. They don’t want their loved ones to be afraid. But they have no reason to go on. They don’t want to be a burden, they want to be free.

Song Meaning
Negative
Subjective
Sadness
Death
Acceptance
Letting Go
Freedom
Remembrance