My Gen X Playlist: Find the River – REM

I’ve been feeling humbled as of late. It’s not triggered by someone or something, it’s just the state I find myself in. The circumstances are not important, but the feeling of falling and becoming grounded again is. Although not a fun feeling to experience, a necessary one to bring me back to earth. It will take a little while to shake this uncomfortable feeling. It will linger, a little while at least. And even when this moment fades in the rear view mirror, I’m sure the universe will keep close watch and be back to serve another reminder, one way or another. Ebb and flow. Sometimes I need a little less ebb and a little more flow.

Ebb and flow made me think of rivers, being swept up in the currents. REM’s Find the River came to mind. Sorry everyone. I must be in the midst of an REM season because this is the third post in a row with an REM song. I can’t help where this blog or my mind leads me.

I’m not sure how much airplay this song received. I just know it because I played Automatic for the People from beginning to end about a million times back in the day. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful song. Mike Mills agrees.

Mike says . . . that it’s one of the most beautiful lyrics that Michael has ever written, and one of their songs that he’s most proud of. He loves the pastoral imagery and the theme of searching, finding. He says that he never listens to R.E.M. music, but occasionally, late at night, he listens to the last few songs of Automatic.

JosephTruss

Searching and finding. A little like the ebb and flow in life. My life. Losing myself, finding myself. Sometimes it’s on repeat, like me listening to this CD on a loop. You’d think I’d learn. It’s difficult to break the cycle. Like I mentioned earlier, I need a little less ebb and a little more flow. But then again, we can’t expect to lead perfect lives.

I’m not exactly sure what Michael Stipe meant when he wrote the last lines in the song. His lyrics continue to be obscure. But when I read them out loud or listen to the vocals, the feeling seems to fit.

Strength and courage overrides
The privileged and weary eyes
Of river poet search naiveté
Pick up here and chase the ride
The river empties to the tide
All of this is coming your way

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Hey now, little speedyhead
The read on the speed-meter says
You have to go to task in the city
Where people drown and people serve
Don't be shy, your just deserts
Is only just light years to go

Me, my thoughts are flower strewn
Ocean storm, bayberry moon
I have got to leave to find my way
Watch the road and memorize
This life that passed before my eyes
And nothing is going my way

The ocean is the river's goal
A need to leave the water knows
We're closer now than light years to go

I have got to find the river
Bergamot and vetiver
Run through my head and fall away
Leave the road and memorize
This life that passed before my eyes
And nothing is going my way

There's no one left to take the lead
But I tell you and you can see
We're closer now than light years to go
Pick up here and chase the ride
The river empties to the tide
Fall into the ocean

The river to the ocean goes
A fortune for the undertow
None of this is going my way
There is nothing left to throw
Of ginger, lemon, indigo
Coriander stem and rose of hay
Strength and courage overrides
The privileged and weary eyes
Of river poet search naiveté
Pick up here and chase the ride
The river empties to the tide
All of this is coming your way